• Office
  • 1 Amphora Place
  • Sheepen Road
  • Colchester
  • Essex
  • CO3 3WG
  • Tel: 01206 217300

Melanie Loxley

Partner and Team Leader

I am the Team Leader of the Colchester Divorce and Family team.

I am a solicitor and collaborative lawyer, specialising in divorce and financial cases. I have many years' experience in dealing with high net worth cases as well as those involving complex issues such as self invested pension schemes, inherited wealth, foreign property and offshore trusts.

I am also experienced in cohabitee disputes including those involving Schedule 1 of the Children Act. 

I often work with clients at the outset of a new relationship where they seek a cohabitation or prenuptial agreement. 

I'm based in our Colchester office, and am available for a free 15 minute chat over the phone on 01206 217384.

I am trained as a collaborative lawyer, which means that in appropriate cases, I can work with you, your partner and your partner’s collaborative lawyer in face to face meetings to reach a solution that is best for you and your family. This is an ideal way to resolve family issues in a manner that keeps you at the centre of the process and allows you and your partner to remain on positive terms with one another.

I am a member of Colchester Collaborative family law group. Please feel free to visit this site to find other local collaborative family lawyers who could assist your partner if it is the case that you both wish to deal with your separation in a collaborative setting.

I am calm but confident and this makes clients feel at ease with me and reassures them that they are in capable hands. 

I like interacting with people and in particular helping those in need. As a specialist family solicitor, I spend much of my time giving practical advice and assistance to my clients, which helps them deal with a challenging time in their lives. 

I am a member of Resolution, which is an association of family lawyers who aim to resolve family disputes in a way that reduces conflict. I am also a member of the Law Society Family Panel, which is a specialist family law accreditation scheme.

I am the Training Principal at Birkett Long and I am therefore heavily involved in the training of our Trainee Solicitors.

I studied a Dual Honours Degree in Law and Psychology at Keele University then undertook my Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Chester. I qualified as a Solicitor in 2002 although I have specialised in Family Law since the second year of my training contract in 2001.  I became a Partner in June 2017.

Outside of work I spend time with my children. I love to keep fit and am often at the gym or out for a run. I enjoy cooking and reading. I am a former member of the Basildon Child Contact Centre Committee and Essex Resolution Committee. 

From 2013 to 2023 I was a Governor at St Mary’s School for Girls in Colchester and was also Co-Vice Chair of Governors towards the end of my tenure.  Whilst I am no longer a Governor, I continue to have an active interest in the School, with whom Birkett Long shares a long history.

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Divorce and Family team

Our divorce and separation team understands that the breakdown of a relationship, particularly if children are involved, can be a difficult and stressful time for all those involved. We listen to the needs of our clients and treat each client as an individual. This ensures we are able to tailor our advice and help guide you through the legal process. We can assist you to make important decisions at a time when you may feel unable to do so.

What our clients say

  • The team inspires confidence due to their knowledgeable and extremely reputable practice.Client testimonial from the Legal 500
  • I can't thank you enough for all your hard work, patience and determination... thank goodness for you all helping me through this.
  • I am so happy that everything has all finally been settled …. Ultimately, I cannot thank you enough for all your hard work as I would not be where I am now if it was not for you. Please pass on my thanks to Phoebe as I know she has played a huge part in the process too.
  • Birkett Long is the best firm by far. They have been such a strong supportive network to rely on in such breaking and hard times, nothing is ever too much trouble. I built a great rapport with them instantly, feeling listened to with the attention to detail and their excellent and clear communication skills they worked to resolve the issues. They are friendly, caring, warm and approachable. If my solicitor was unavailable, I received the same level of support and help from other staff members resolving issues immediately and with ease. Legal 500, 2023
  • A massive thank you for all you've done for me. I would definitely come back to you if I ever need your services and will not hesitate in recommending you.
  • Just wanted to say a huge thank you for everything. You were very patient, understanding and kind throughout the whole process and it was a relief to have somebody leading the charge who I had total confidence in. I am truly grateful for all your hard work.
  • Thank you so much for all your hard work, your patience and support through this situation... you did an amazing job...
  • We can not thank you enough for the outstanding work you and your team have done.
  • I can't thank and recommend Birkett Long enough for helping me with some recent legal issues and creating a will. Their service was excellent and advice was clear and easy to understand and they were more than happy to answer any questions I had.
  • The team is strategic, pragmatic and - most importantly - honest and straightforward about the legal risks, costs and related issues.Client testimonial from the Legal 500
  • Birkett Long is a remarkable practice, which has gone from strength to strength.Client testimonial from the Legal 500
  • Thank you for guiding me through a particularly difficult time in my life
  • Both Lisa and Mel, have provided an excellent service being informative and with empathy for my situation. I was given a cost and timescale both of which were stuck to with regular invoices so I know exactly where I was. If I asked a question I had an answer within 24 hours and they were on the ball at all times. I can, and would, highly recommend both legal professionals many thanks.
  • We are so grateful to you for all your advice and help through a very difficult time Mel you have been truly amazing
  • Many thanks for your help and guidance throughout the divorce. Your professionalism made using Birkett Long for other services an easy decision.