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Sofia Santos

Barrister

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“Sofia brings a distinctly human quality to her practice. She is exceptionally easy to work with, striking a careful balance between professionalism and approachability. Her communication with clients is both sensitive and measured”

Sofia joined Chambers as a tenant following the successful completion of her pupillage. Sofia is a specialist family law barrister. She also accepts instructions across some areas of housing law.

Care Proceedings

Sofia regularly represents parents through care proceedings involving allegations of neglect, domestic abuse and substance abuse. Sofia also has experience in representing local authorities.

Private Law

Sofia represents clients on a range of family law issues, including non-molestation and occupation order proceedings, applications for section 8 orders (child arrangements, specific issue and prohibited steps orders) and enforcement proceedings.

Police Actions

Sofia regularly represents the police in the family court. Her experience includes applications for disclosure of documentation from the family court, representation of the police in matters where disclosure from the Police Force is sought and applications to withhold or redact documentation from the family court pursuant to Family Procedure Rule 21.3.

Financial Remedies

Sofia accepts instructions in Financial Remedy Proceedings having gained experience during her pupillage.

Civil Law

Sofia provides advice and representation within landlord and tenant disputes, as well as housing law injunctions.

Direct Access

Sofia accepts instructions from lay clients via Direct Access.

Background

Before pupillage, Sofia worked as a paralegal in the family department of a legal aid law firm in London where she worked on both public and private children law matters. Sofia worked with a range of clients and gained particular experience in working with members of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller community and neurodivergent clients.

During her Bar Course studies, Sofia also volunteered for the Pro Bono Unit at The University of Law representing clients in their housing matters from initial advice through to support during hearings.

Achievements, appointments and memberships

  • BA Hons English Literature and Language 1:1, King’s College, University of London, 2018
  • Graduate Diploma in Law, Distinction, The University of Law, 2022
  • Bar Practice Course, Very Competent, The University of Law, 2023
  • LLM (BPC), Distinction, The University of Law, 2024
  • GDL Exhibition Scholar, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, 2021
  • Bar Course Exhibition Scholar, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, 2023
  • Basil Nield Award, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, 2024

Year of Call: 2024

Core Practice Areas:

Year of Call: 2024

Core Practice Areas: