Helene Santamera
Immigration Lawyer
Helene has been a dedicated and passionate Immigration Lawyer since 2008. During her career Helene has specialised in Asylum, Human Rights, Human Trafficking, Bail, Immigration, Domestic Violence and Judicial Review work. Helene is an experienced advocate in the First Tier (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and Upper Tribunal.
Background
Helene began her journey into law in 2003 when she volunteered at the Citizens Advice Bureau as a Trainee Advisor. In 2007, Helene began volunteering with Merseyside Refuge and Asylum Seekers Pre and Post Natal Support Group (MRANG), and from then decided to dedicate her practice to Immigration and Asylum Matters. Helene takes a holistic and innovative approach to her work, is well-versed in legal argument and is a persuasive advocate.
Experience
Helene enjoys a diverse caseload, including successfully running judicial review and Court of Appeal cases, preparing and representing appeals. This includes drafting grounds in the First Tier and Upper Tribunal with advocacy experience in a wide range of appeals particularly asylum, human rights, trafficking, bail, and immigration.
Helene project managed trips to the refugee camps in Calais, consisting of lawyers, voluntary workers, humanitarian and financial aid, where she ran workshops for refugees and volunteers. She also formed part of the first wave of lawyers working on cases to bring unaccompanied children from Calais to join their families in the UK.
Helene has a reported case in the Upper Tribunal Case MM (unfairness; E & R) Sudan [2014] UKUT 105 (IAC).
Qualifications
Law Society Senior Caseworker accreditation
LPC – Legal Practice Course
GDL – Graduate Diploma Law
BSc – Psychology and Economics
Diploma in Counselling Psychology
Languages
English – Native