Mellissa Curzon-Berners is a Managing Associate in the White-Collar Crime & Investigations group at Mishcon de Reya with a broad range of experience acting for both corporate and individual clients.
Mellissa regularly advises clients facing investigations conducted by the Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority and National Crime Agency for a range of offences including fraud, bribery, money laundering and other regulatory matters. Mellissa has particular expertise in money laundering and is frequently instructed to advise corporate and individual clients on their obligations under the UK anti-money laundering regime. She also assists corporate clients in designing and implementing effective compliance policies.
Mellissa has acted in a number of cases with a cross-jurisdictional element and has defended clients facing investigations in multiple jurisdictions, including the United States, South Africa, Switzerland, Spain and France amongst others. She has advised individuals subject to Interpol red notices, extradition and mutual legal assistance requests.
Mellissa also represents both corporate and individual clients facing criminal investigations by the police, Health and Safety Executive and other regulatory bodies. She can advise from the outset of the investigation, including at the initial interview under caution, through to the conclusion of the trial and/or inquest. Prior to joining Mishcon de Reya, Mellissa undertook a six-month secondment to the Crown Prosecution Service, during which she was able to gain invaluable prosecution experience. As a result, Mellissa has experience of both defending and prosecuting individuals for a range of criminal matters.
Mellissa also acts for parties involved in public inquiries, and has represented participants in the Manchester Arena, Davis and Iraq Inquires and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
Mellissa is an editor of Global Investigations Review's Guide to Compliance and contributes to the chapter on Law in Health and Safety in the leading book on occupational health & safety 'Safety at Work'.