Sujanthan Sureshkumar

I was born in Sri Lanka. My mother brought me to the UK in 2008 as a refugee fleeing from the Sri lankan civil war and my dad joined us after a year. My parents brought me to the UK for mainly for education and our future ahead. I am the first child in the family - I am the first to go to university in my family. And I am a keen cricket player and also play football. I am a christian; I go church every sundays and also bible studies on thursday evenings. I also enjoy doing biblical studies and enjoying time with my family. Within the church, I do various ministries; leading the congregation in prayer for nations, playing the congas/drums, and also helping the youth ministry as an assistant youth leader.

I had a chance to complete legal work experience at CS Law (a law firm)and at a Citizens Advice Bureau. At these experiences I have been performing a variety of clerical, administrative and secretarial tasks. This includes managing resources appropriately and maintaining strict confidentiality.  At the Law Firm, I had the chance to work with the firm's Senior Associates in the office. I shadowed a solicitor and reviewed some of the firm’s previous cases, printed out files and sorted out files helping the team. At Citizens Advice Bureau, I got the opportunity to oversee a Gateway assessor, who provides an initial diagnostic service, identifying the issue and the most appropriate next steps the client can take towards resolving it.

Currently I am working as Detainee Custody Officer/ Immigration Officer in Heathrow, helping to create a safe, supportive environment, where residents are treated with decency and respect from the moment they arrive. Throughout their stay, I help them access support and services including healthcare, welfare, faith and cultural provisions, education and recreation activities.

With my Law LLB degree, I got to expand my knowledge of my main interest in criminal law, immigration law and family law. I relished the chance and challenge of studying Law. I know that I have brought dedication to my University studies. I have been eager to work on research projects and learn from the pro bono works offered by The University of Law.