Maria Gonzalez-Merello

Maria’s Practice

 

Family:

 

Maria has conducted numerous cases particularly in the Principle Registry of the Family Registry over the years and regularly advises on all aspects of matrimonial problems and disputes.

 

Ancillary Relief:

 

Maria is regularly instructed in all aspects of ancillary relief. She is currently involved in an appeal at the High Court concerning a husband appealing a Pension Order made in 2005 having obtained leave to appeal on 17 December 2014

 

Crime:

 

Maria undertakes all aspects of criminal work , she conducts  cases both in the Crown & Magistrates Courts involving a wide range of offences.

Her  trial experience includes serious fraud, confiscation, serious violent crime, firearms offences, robbery, drugs, rape and sexual offences, public order offences and those against public justice.

 

Immigration/Asylum:

 

Maria practices on all areas of immigration , including bail applications, applications by students, visitors and family members, applications under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006.  She acts in both the First-tier and Upper Tribunals and specialises in all areas of EEA and non-EEA immigration and has a broad knowledge of the rapidly changing, and complex, Point Based System.

 

Also, she regularly advises on potential claims against the Home Office for unlawful detention/false imprisonment to seek release and/or compensation arising from detention under immigration powers.

 

Employment:

 

In relation to employment law, Maria has appeared in the Employment Tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the High Court. As well she represents regularly Claimants on a Pro-Bono basis on:

 

• Unfair Dismissal

• Discrimination- Race, Sex, Age, Disability

• Equal Pay Claims

• Wrongful Dismissal

• Breach of Contract Claims

 

By way of example Maria has recently been involved in substantial cases dealing with:

 

• TUPE transfer of large group of cleaners

• Discrimination and dismissal claims on behalf of a cleaner who wrote and delivered a personal letter to a government minister- peacefully making a case for a living wage. When identified by the press his employer suspended him and found him guilty at a disciplinary hearing of “Gross Misconduct”, temporarily dismissing him.

• The dismissal of an employee following a protracted capability procedure

• The failure of collective consultation in a TUPE transfer on behalf of a large group of Latino American cleaners

• Unpaid Wages

• Unfair dismissal /discrimination on religious grounds

Public Access

 

Maria is licensed to receive instructions direct from clients  ie; Members of the public may come directly to the Barrister without going through [or incurring the cost of] a solicitor for advice. The Barrister [if they consider it appropriate] can conduct the case without the additional expense or services of a solicitor.