Nikolay Melnikov was born on May 27, 1955 in Irkutsk (Eastern Siberia).
In 1977 he had graduated from the Rostov State University with a degree in law.
Nikolay Melnikov began his work in public prosecution as a trainee investigator in Oryol region. In 2003-2005 he served as the chief prosecutor of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia, Siberia).
Doctor of Science in Law. A specialist in constitutional, labour, administrative law and prosecutorial control, he has authored over 50 scientific publications.
A Judge of the Constitutional Court since February 2005.