Thomas Melletat

About me

My name is Thomas Melletat and I work as an attorney at law in Laatzen in the Hanover region, with a focus on traffic law, tenancy law and employment law, among other areas. For more than 30 years I have been fighting for my clients’ claims in many different areas of law. My work is guided by one principle: honest advice builds trust.

In 2012 I took part in the specialist attorney course in traffic law and thereby gained extensive expertise in this field.

For many years I have advised and represented employees and employers in employment and tenancy law matters. Through my long-standing work in the event and entertainment industry, I also specialise in event law. For years I taught this area of law as a lecturer at the Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM).

I share an office with attorney at law Andrea Melletat.

Practice areas at a glance

Traffic law

In Germany, the car is more than just a means of transport. It is therefore often at the centre of legal disputes. With almost thirty years of experience and special qualification in traffic law, I offer comprehensive legal support in the following matters:

• Handling of traffic accidents (vehicle damage, personal injury, compensation for pain and suffering)
• Advice on vehicle purchase contracts
• Representation in regulatory offence proceedings (speeding, running a red light, using a mobile phone while driving)
• Driving licence matters
• Traffic criminal law (drink driving, driving under the influence of drugs, endangering road traffic)
• Warranty claims against car dealers under consumer law
• Legal advice on travel law

Employment law

In my employment law practice the focus is on advice and representation in cases of dismissal, warning letters and other questions relating to employment contracts. Support is offered to employees and employers alike, to clarify and safeguard their rights and obligations in the workplace. The aim is to offer effective solutions through expertise in these complex areas.

• Protection against dismissal: Advice and representation in dismissals and termination agreements.
• Review of employment contracts: Review and drafting of employment contracts.
• Wage and salary matters: Support in wage disputes, overtime and questions of pay.
• Bullying and discrimination: Help in cases of bullying, discrimination or harassment at the workplace.
• Employment references: Assessment and, where appropriate, challenging of employment references.
• Incapacity for work and illness: Advice in connection with incapacity for work, illness and rehabilitation measures.
• Working time rules: Advice on working time laws and regulations.
• Holiday entitlement: Clarification of questions concerning employees’ holiday entitlement.
• Employee rights and obligations: Information and advice on the rights and obligations of employees.
• Unfair dismissal claims: Representation in court proceedings concerning claims for protection against dismissal.
• Warning letters: Advice on warning letters (Abmahnungen) and their consequences.
• Occupational safety and health: Advice on occupational health and safety regulations.

Tenancy law

In German civil law, the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants are set out mainly in sections 535 et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB). They are supplemented and shaped by a series of other laws and regulations, such as the Operating Costs Ordinance and the Heating Costs Ordinance.

Tenancy law covers a wide range of topics, from the details of a lease to the formal requirements for declarations that create or change legal rights. It covers the entire period a tenant spends in a property, from move-in to move-out.

Because the laws are worded in general terms, it is often difficult to cover every specific case. Court decisions, that is judgments and orders, therefore play a decisive role in the practical application of tenancy law.

Many tenants and landlords are not aware of their full rights and obligations. Even those who believe they know their rights are not immune to disputes. Unclear or invalid clauses in leases can often lead to extensive disagreements.

• Contract drafting and review: Advice on drafting and reviewing leases to ensure they comply with the law and are fair to both parties.
• Representation in disputes: Legal representation and support in disputes between tenants and landlords, for example concerning rent arrears, terminations or service charge statements.
• Advice on rent increases: Support and legal advice on the statutory requirements and procedures for rent increases.
• Support with defects and maintenance: Help in enforcing the remedying of defects and maintenance claims, and advice on rights and obligations in the case of defects in a dwelling.
• Representation in court: Representation in court proceedings, whether to enforce claims or to defend against unjustified demands arising from the tenancy.

Online and IT law

The field of online and IT law has become ever more important with the rise of the internet and increasing digitalisation. As an expert in this field, I deal in depth with the legal questions that arise from the use of computers and the internet.

• Downloading illegal content: Advice and representation in legal problems resulting from downloading copyrighted content without permission.
• Warning letters for copyright infringement: Support and representation in cases of warning letters (Abmahnungen) issued because of copyright infringements on the internet, for example the sharing of protected files.
• Data protection violations: Legal advice on violations of data protection law, especially in the online context.
• Scams on websites: Legal advice and support in cases of fraud on online platforms, including identity theft and fraudulent offers.

Event law

With my extensive experience as a musician, recording studio operator, backline roadie and tour companion, as well as technical director for event organisers, I have in-depth knowledge of music and event law. These practical insights enable me to offer targeted, well-founded legal advice in this specialised field.

• Organising school-leaving parties (Abifeier): Legal support and advice on organising and running school-leaving parties, including contract law, liability issues and copyright provisions.
• Concert and event planning: Legal advice on planning and staging concerts and events, including licensing, safety regulations and contract management.
• Copyright and neighbouring rights: Support in copyright matters, especially questions about music rights, performance rights and licensing.
• Organiser liability: Advice on liability issues and insurance cover for organisers and technicians.
• Artist contracts: Drafting and review of artist contracts, including fees, usage rights and exclusivity clauses.