Work Department
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Position
Call: 2018
Career
Experience
Andréa Hounto is a specialist family and immigration law barrister.
Family Law
Andréa’s family practice encompasses all of Chambers’ specialisms: private and public children law, financial remedies, and proceedings under the Family Law Act.
Andréa has experience in FHDRAs, DRAs, fact-finding hearings and final hearings. She is a fierce advocate who uses her critical and lateral thinking to obtain favourable results for mothers, fathers, and grandparents. She is able to navigate jurisdictional issues and cases that engage the Hague Convention 2007. Andréa also represents both husbands and wives in their post-divorce proceedings, under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.
Andréa represents both Applicants and Respondents in Family Law Act proceedings, including ex-parte Non-Molestation Orders, return injunction hearings, occupation orders, and enforcement/committal proceedings.
She has been praised by solicitors for her excellent negotiation and advocacy skills, and her tailored client care.
“Andréa is very patient and client-focused with a personal approach. She is exceptionally dedicated to her work and clients which was visible in client satisfaction. Andréa goes that extra mile for her clients and is always available for any queries from those instructing her, no matter how busy she is.”- Landmark Legal LLP
“We have instructed Andréa on multiple occasions, and she has only ever secured a positive outcome. I would not hesitate to instruct Andréa on my cases again, as her work was of very high quality, her client care skills are excellent, and she routinely achieves the desired result. Andréa was a pleasure to work with professionally and personally.” – Beck Fitzgerald Solicitors
“Andréa’s excellent advocacy and assistance to date has been invaluable. On behalf of the client, our sincere thanks & much appreciated!” – Thompson & Co Solicitors Ltd
Immigration Law
In immigration law, Andréa regularly appears in the First-tier Tribunal. She has experience representing clients in their substantive asylum and human rights appeals, CMRs and bail applications. She also accepts instructions on a pro-bono basis and regularly accepts work from organisations such as Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) and RAMFEL.
Andréa’s language skills are invaluable to her immigration practice. She is bilingual (English and French) and can have client conferences in French, if required. She can also read legal documents drafted in French.
Andréa has a particular interest in the intersection between immigration and family law and has experience drafting written advice about complex matters that engage the two practice areas.
Andréa has been commended by instructing solicitors for her ability to think outside of the box and obtain favourable outcomes in complex appeals.
“Andréa successfully appealed the Home Office’s decision to refuse political asylum to a DRC national on the basis that the regime in DRC had changed and his appeal had no merit. This is a particularly exceptional outcome as the narrative around DRC claims is that they have no merit – which is both misleading and dangerous. Well done Andréa!” – Montague Solicitors
Previous Experience
Before coming to the Bar, Andréa was awarded the Middle Temple Bristow Scholarship which enabled her to spend six months at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. She worked as a Stagiaire (Judicial Assistant) to Advocate-General Eleanor Sharpston KC and Judge Vajda, developing her knowledge of EU and Immigration & Asylum Law.
Prior to joining chambers, Andréa worked as an Outreach Adviser at Citizens Advice Kensington & Chelsea where she provided advice to clients on matters including Family, Immigration, Welfare Benefits, Debt and Employment.
Interests
Outside of work, Andréa is a Singer-Songwriter. She released her debut Gospel EP, Perfect Intimacy, in 2021 and her latest single ‘Rest’ is available on all streaming platforms. Andréa plans to continue releasing music alongside her busy practice and finds that music serves as a creative outlet.
Andréa also sits on Exeter’s Race Equity Advisory Board and is passionate about racial justice.
Languages
French (Native/Bilingual)
Memberships
Family Law Bar Association (FLBA)
Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA)
Young Legal Aid Lawyers (YLAL)
Black Women in Law (BWIL)
Education
BA (Hons) History & Politics, University of Exeter
GDL, BPP University Law School
BPTC with LL.M, BPP University Law School
