Band 2: Crime (London)

Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500

Legal Hero by Kent Law Society

Mel qualified as a Solicitor in 1998 after completing her training contract at Powell Spencer and Partners. She specialises in representing young and vulnerable defendants and heads up the Youth Team at GT Stewart. She is also Treasurer of the Youth Practitioners’ Association, having founded it with Claire Dissington, Leah Connolly and Caroline Liggins.

Having spent her career defending young people across the criminal justice system, Mel gained extensive experience at previous firms including Hickman & Rose, McCormacks, and TV Edwards, where she gained considerable experience representing clients in complex and serious cases. Mel understands the importance of building a relationship of trust and the need for continuity, and frequently represents clients from the police station through to trial. She has a particular interest in autism and regularly receives referrals via the National Autistic Society.  Mel works with a wide range of other professionals in order to ensure that her clients are able to effectively participate in their defence and navigate their way through the criminal justice system as simply as possible.

Mel has extensive experience in the Youth Court and is a skilled trial advocate. She has defended young clients charged with serious offences including GBH, rape and armed robbery. She conducts appeals against both conviction and sentence at the Crown Court as well as committals for sentence from the Youth Court.

As a member of the Rook Committee, she helped produce the Advocacy and Vulnerable Witness Training provided by Inns of Court and the Law Society. In addition to training other professionals in youth justice, Mel also provides training for Appropriate Adults who may be required to attend the police station, and runs legal advice clinics at London Youth Clubs. She was a member of the Board of Directors at CoramBAAF, reflecting her commitment to protecting the rights of children in care.

Mel was previously a committee member of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association (LCCSA), where she was a Secretary and Editor of The Advocate. She continues to play a leading role in shaping youth justice policy and training, contributing across a range of initiatives:

• Contributor to the Advocacy and Vulnerable Witness Training Course materials
• Contributor to the ICCA Children in Conflict with the Law Course
• Contributor to the Good Practice Guidance on Certificates for Assigned Advocates
• Member of the Youth Justice and Quality of Advocacy Working Groups
• Member of the Alliance for Youth Justice
• Member of the Neurodivergence in Criminal Justice Network
• Contributor to and trainer for the CHIRP pilot scheme at Brixton and Wood Green police stations
• Member of the Advisory Board and Trainer for the Youth Justice Legal Centre
• Author of two YJLC guides: Criminal Behaviour Orders and Police Bail & Remand

Mel’s work has been widely recognised. In 2025, she received the Kent Law Society Legal Hero Award. In 2019, she received the YJLC Youth Justice Champion Award for outstanding contribution to youth justice. In 2017, she was a finalist for the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards in the children’s rights category.

Memberships and Accreditations

• Youth Practitioners’ Association
• Youth Justice Legal Centre
• Youth Justice Working Group
• Quality of Advocacy Working Group
• Alliance for Youth Justice
• NICJN

Client Reviews

• “Thank you for your email and your words of support. We would like to say a big thank you for your guidance, patience, and support with S’s case. You took the time to explain everything clearly for S to understand and you spoke to him and not at him. You did not judge S, but you provided support and made sure he got the best outcome from the case. We really appreciated your assistance and clear explanations, even though it felt that things were not going our way.”

• “5 star firm. I’ve had the support of GT Stewart Solicitors across countless cases in the Youth Court, Magistrates Court, and Crown Court, and I honestly couldn’t recommend them enough. Jamie has always been incredible, keeping me updated with every new development and consistently being there whenever I needed help or guidance. Mel Stooks (Head of Youth) helped me more times than I can count while I was under 18 an absolute diamond who truly cared and guided me through some of the toughest times. Bubs (Mr. Dhamrait) was always there for me during police station visits. I couldn’t thank him enough for his honesty and straight-to-the-point advice about what should be done and how. And Gerard is the greatest barrister I could ever ask for. His knowledge in the courtroom made everything easier to face, and whenever I didn’t understand something, he always took the time to advise me and explain the best way forward. I’ll always be grateful to the whole team their professionalism, dedication, and support have made a huge difference in my life.”

Testimonials from other Professionals

• “I was very pleased to hear about the positive outcome for [client]! I’m also pleased my evidence was helpful to the court. I left feeling very grateful that there are firms and Barristers like you supporting young people in navigating this system. From the commissioning of a psychological report and use of an intermediary, It was clear that you leave no stone unturned in ensuring that a young person’s full story is heard. What was most special was the patience, passion and empathy you showed in your interaction with [client]. I was so impressed by how thoughtful you were; even using simple language in your closing argument to give [client] the best chance of understanding what was said. It is clearly second nature to you and your firm, but I hope you don’t mind me saying how remarkable I think it is.”

News

• Leadership Influence and Inclusivity Awards 2025
• Celebrating our Criminal Defence departments’ success in the 2026 Chambers and Partners UK rankings!
• Mel Stooks on safeguarding children in the criminal justice system
• GT Stewart secure not guilty verdict at Bromley Youth Court