Susana joined Chambers in October 2023, following the successful completion of her pupillage under the supervision of Mark Bradshaw, Deputy Head of the Immigration Group, and Philip Rule KC, Head of the Public Law Group.
Susana has a particular interest in immigration and public law with a focus on asylum, international human rights, extradition, EU free movement and trafficking claims.
Susana regularly appears in asylum, humanitarian protection and Article 8 ECHR appeals before the First-Tier and Upper Tribunal, involving different States including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Sudan and Syria. Some of her cases involve trafficking claims and children.
Susana provides advice and representation on deportation appeals, involving EU and non-EU nationals. Those instructing engage Susana in the early stages of the litigation process so that she can provide her advice. She is instructed as sole counsel or led in complex cases.
Susana draws from her domestic and international experience, which includes working at Gherson Solicitors LLP in the Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance and Interpol Team, and the Serious Fraud Office as well as being a Nicolas Bratza Scholar and Trainee at the European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg, France). Susana is fluent in multiple languages, including Spanish.
Susana is committed to pro bono work. She represents applicants in bail immigration hearings under instruction from Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID). During her pupillage, she has completed the Pupil Pledge with Advocate and accepted pro bono referrals, including for Migrants Organise.
Susana is an ally and a co-founder of Neurodiversity in Law, which promotes and supports neurodiversity within the legal professions.
Awards
- Nicolas Bratza Scholarship, The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn (2020)
- Runner-up, ‘Human Writes’ Competition on genocide, René Cassin (2020)
- Dean’s Merit Scholarship, Boston College Law School (2018)
- Law Fellowship, The Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy (2018)
- Academic Excellence Scholarship, Madrid Government (2014 and 2017)
- Named in the President List, highest distinction that the university confers for academic excellence in a single semester, GPA above 3.75/4, Bentley University (Fall 2013 and Spring 2014)
Memberships
- The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
- Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales
- Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA)
- Human Rights Lawyer Association (HRLA)
- Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA)
- JUSTICE
- Young Legal Aid Lawyers (YLAL)
- British Spanish Law Association
- Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL no. 68195)
Qualifications
- Double Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Translation and Interpreting, Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Spain) – First Class Honours
- Comparative political systems, political theory, foreign policy and regional studies (exchange programme) at Bentley University (USA)
- European studies and French language and culture (Summer exchange programme) at Université Catholique de Lille (France)
- International terrorism, emerging issues in public policy and political economy of development (UCLA Summer Sessions) at University of California in Los Angeles (USA)
- Graduate Diploma in Law, University of Westminster (UK) – Distinction
- Bar Practice Training Course, BPP University (UK)
- Graduate Certificate in Human Rights and International Justice, Boston College Centre for Human Rights and International Justice (USA)
- Master of Laws with a focus on Human Rights, Boston College Law School (USA)
Languages
- Spanish – Native proficiency
- Galician – Native proficiency
- French – Professional working proficiency
- Italian – Limited working proficiency
- Russian – Elementary proficiency
Publications
‘The Administrative Court held that the Home Secretary’s unpublished policy and practice on the use of the examination and detention powers in Sch.2 to the Immigration Act 1971 in relation to those with limited leave to remain with outstanding NHS debts is unlawful (R (oao MXK and others) v SSHD)’ (June 2023) published by LexisNexis
‘An introduction to the Illegal Migration Bill’ (6 June 2023) published by The Barrister Magazine
Reviewed and updated the immigration terms of the 2023 Jowitt’s Dictionary of English Law edition (Thomson Reuters)
‘Decriminalisation and Regulation of Euthanasia in Spain’ (12 May 2021), written in Spanish, published by Human Rights Pulse
‘Atmospheric pollution relevant to asylum claim, holds French Court’ (2 February 2021) co-authored with Ruby Peacock published by UK Human Rights Blog
‘Seeking asylum in the time of COVID-19’ (9th April 2020) published by BBP Human Rights Unit
‘The socialisation process within the European External Action Service’ (April 2017), dissertation of the Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Spain)
‘Interpreting refugees: the right to access interpreting services’ (April 2017), written in Spanish, dissertation of the Bachelor of Arts in Translation and Interpreting, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Spain)
