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Melissa is a Managing Associate in the Commercial Litigation team.

Melissa works in general commercial dispute resolution, has over 20 year’s experience in her particular specialism of commercial, marine and insurance litigation and holds a Masters in Legal Aspects of Marine Affairs and Commercial Law from Cardiff University.

 Prior to joining Ward Hadaway, Melissa worked at a boutique practice specialising in commercial cases involving, in particular, multi modal international transport claims and recovery actions.

Melissa has acted for a number of UK and foreign cargo and liability insurers, freight forwarders, logistics operators and recovery agents in respect of claims arising from domestic and international carriage of goods by road, sea and air. Her experience also extends to warehousing claims.

As well as personally handling disputes before the English Courts she has experience of co-ordinating litigation in a number of other jurisdictions such as Germany, France, Italy, Lithuania and Romania.

Melissa also has experience of liaising with Border Force and HMRC following the seizure of items including drafting requests for restoration and reviews of refusals to restore and penalties following the discovery of contraband goods as well as claims arising from the access of containers by clandestine entrants.

Experience

Melissa has experience of dealing with a range of matters including:

  • Cargo claims and recoveries in respect of domestic and international carriage of goods by road, sea and air
  • Warehousing claims
  • Freight recovery and lien actions
  • Advising insurers on policy coverage and providing tactical advice on policy dispute resolutions
  • Advising on and drafting logistics agreements and terms and conditions of carriage and storage
  • Advising on disputes arising from the construction of contracts
  • Successful challenge on behalf of a Polish carrier of notification from HMRC of intention to charge unpaid excise duty and wrongdoing penalty following discovery of contraband totalling £577,031 on the basis the carrier was not the “holder” of the goods for the purpose of Regulation 13 of the Excise Goods (Holding, Moving and Duty Point) Regulations 2010 and therefore not liable to pay the duty demanded
  • Enforcement of European Payment Order on behalf of German division of major global leader of HR solutions resulting in prompt settlement despite long delays prior to involvement
  • Assisting Associate and Counsel on behalf of the successful Appellant in preparation of the Court of Appeal case of TNT Global SPA v Denfleet International [2007] overturning a finding of wilful misconduct at first instance on the basis of the bare fact that of the lorry driver admitting he fell asleep at the wheel (and by reasonable inference was aware that he had begun to feel sleepy) was insufficient to justify a finding of wilful misconduct

Expertise: Services

Businesses

Public & Third Sector

What people say

  • Melissa Munday is able to do difficult work under considerable pressure. Nichola Evans can marshal a lot of material and gives good advice.

    Legal 500
  • Nicola Evans is a standout partner, particularly in fraud work. Very easy to get on with and with a first class legal brain. Melissa Munday is an excellent associate.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • Dedicated and hardworking. Able to familiarise herself with complex matters quickly.

    Legal 500, Client quote

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