About me

Dr Helen Soo is a highly qualified, fully vetted, official Chinese interpreter of both Mandarin and Cantonese and with many years’ professional experience. Born in China but brought up and educated in Hong Kong, she gained a first class honours degree in Sociology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Helen then moved to the UK where she was awarded a Doctorate in Sociology by the London School of Economics, London University. Dr Soo has extensive teaching experience in the University of Hong Kong and the University of London.

Her interest in translation and interpreting began several decades ago when she studied for, and was awarded, a postgraduate diploma in Translation Techinques at Hong Kong University.

Dr. Soo’s interest in interpreting in the public service sector was enhanced when she worked on one of the first Chinese kidnap cases, tried in Southwark Crown Court in the late 1990s.

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Experience

Official and commercial organization that Helen Soo has interpreted for include:

  • European Commission
  • UK, European and Chinese businesses
  • Major Law firms in UK & Hong Kong
  • School of Oriental and African Studies, London University.
  • Police, Courts and various criminal justice agencies in England & Wales
  • Immigration, mental health, and employment tribunals.
  • Family therapy sessions
  • Arbitration Courts
  • Arbitration hearings
  • Cultural knowledge expert advice

Credentials

Helen Soo is accredited by the national Register of public Service Interpreters (NRPSI) (no.11193) and is a full member for both Mandarin and Cantonese since 2002.

She has been a full member of the institute of of Translation and interpreting (ITI) since 1993, and is its Assessor for Mandarin and Cantonese examinations.

She has also served as a committee member of the Association of Police & Court Interpreters (APCI), 2004 – 2006, and SOMI (Society of official Metropolitan interpreters UK Ltd), 2009 -2011.

Dr Soo subscribes to the Codes of Practice /Conduct of all the professional bodies of which she is a full member. All work will be treated with the strictest confidence. She is a signatory of the Official Secrets Acts, and as an official interpreter for the London Metropolitan Police Services, Helen has security clearance to CTC level.