Arbitration
Nick has been practising as an arbitrator for over three years, notably with the ABTA Travel Arbitration scheme. He has arbitrated over twenty-five disputes, including those involving conflicts of law. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
Banking and Financial Services
From his past career, Nick has extensive experience in banking and financial services.
He has in-depth knowledge of the UK banking and financial services regulatory landscape in which banking and financial services companies operate. This provides Nick with an ideal basis to advise banking and financial services clients.
In the past year, he has represented clients in complex motor finance claims allocated to the small claims and fast track, with a primary focus on claimants.
Commercial Litigation
Nick has represented claimant and defendant companies in complex business-to-business disputes, advising them on case management strategies and representing them in court.
Nick also takes on drafting and opinion writing for claimant and defendant companies contemplating litigation in a commercial dispute.
Civil Law
Nick undertakes a regular practice in general civil law, with a focus on negligence, personal injury, credit hire, and property disrepair. He regularly handles complex fast-track claims and is respected for his robust cross-examinations of witnesses and persuasive advocacy on behalf of his client. He places a strong focus on client care. He ensures that his client is fully aware of and understands his advice and the legal consequences of following a particular course of action. His client is always at the forefront of his mind throughout the litigation process.
Nick acts for Claimants and Defendants across a range of civil law areas, including:
- Breach of contract claims;
- Road traffic accident claims, including personal injury and credit hire;
- Motor finance claims against motor finance providers;
- Consumer Rights claims for defective products, e.g. motor vehicles;
- Breach of tenancy obligations by tenants and landlords, including disrepair and payment of rent;
- Applications for default strike-out, summary judgment, default judgment, and other general civil applications, such as relief from sanctions and disclosure;
- Advice and drafting in relation to claims and settlement.
Membership and Advisory
Nick is a Trustee of the Southern England Law Centre and served as Chair of the organisation until December 2024.
Nick is a Presiding Criminal Magistrate on the Wiltshire Bench. He is also a member of the following organisations:
- The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple;
- The Civil Mediation Council; and
- The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Direct Access
Nick is Direct Access accredited and is happy to represent litigants in person.
Privacy Notice
This privacy notice explains how, why and for how long Nick Mellis will process or retain your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
If Nick has been instructed by you, your litigation friend, your solicitor or agent, or through a pro bono referral, it is necessary to process your personal data in order to provide legal services. This may include advising on the prospects of litigation, advising on the value of a claim, representation at hearings or trial, and reviewing legal issues or evidence.
Recipients of your data
Depending on the nature of your case, data may be shared with courts and tribunals, your solicitors or agents, witnesses, experts, other legal representatives, ombudsmen or regulators, education and examining bodies, and current, past or prospective employers.
Special categories of data
Some matters require processing special category personal data, including information about health, ethnicity, religion, trade union membership, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal allegations and convictions. Such data will only be processed where necessary to represent you or advise on your claim.
Retention
Your personal data will be retained for no longer than necessary and, where possible, anonymised. In general, records relating to cases are retained for at least six years to comply with professional obligations under the Bar Code of Conduct and tax record-keeping obligations.
Once your case has concluded and any fees have been paid, only the personal data necessary for regulatory compliance, conflict checking, defence of complaints or fee disputes, and reference in future similar cases will be retained.
Your rights
You may request confirmation that your personal data is being processed, request a copy of that data, request rectification of inaccurate data, object to certain processing, request restriction of processing, or request erasure where the GDPR permits it. Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time, although doing so may mean Nick can no longer provide the legal services requested.
Security
Appropriate physical and technical measures are taken to safeguard your personal data and prevent unauthorised access, accidental loss, misuse or disclosure.
Complaints or queries
If you have any questions about this privacy notice, or how your personal data is used, please email clerking@thebarristergroup.co.uk or the clerks at clerking@thebarristergroup.co.uk, or call 01823 247 247.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Further information is available at ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/.
Work with Nick
Send us your details and a member of the clerking team will be in touch. Or call us now on 01823 247 247.