Liz is a partner at Bindmans and Head of our Immigration, Asylum and Nationality team. She has a broad practice covering all aspects of immigration and is well known for her work with unaccompanied children and vulnerable clients and EEA law. Liz also has a Public Law practice.
She has acted in cases before the First Tier and Upper Tribunal; the Administrative Court, Court of Appeal and Court of Justice of the European Union.
Experience
Liz’s cases include:
- R (on the application of SA) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2015] EWHC 1611 (Admin). in relation to the application of good character requirements for registration of children as British citizens;
- MA and BT v SSHD C-648/11 relating to the application of the Dublin Regulation to unaccompanied children which clarified the law in this area
- Liz has also acted for the AIRE Centre in cases referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union
Recent directory and client quotes
Chambers and Partners UK 2025
- Liz is ranked Band 1 in Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation & Immigration: Personal.
- “Liz has really good litigation knowledge and legal instincts.”
- “She not only gave practical advice but she took ownership of the situation and delivered solutions.”
- “Liz has the charisma to be able to get on with any client and give them the best advice.”
Legal 500 2025
- Liz is listed in the “Hall of Fame” in Immigration, Immigration: Human Rights & Immigration: Personal.
- “Liz Barratt is very smart, great and clear communication with clients and counsel.”
Chambers and Partners UK 2024
- Liz was ranked Band 1 in Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation & Immigration: Personal.
- “She works ferociously hard and is incredibly successful in getting excellent results for all her clients.”
- “She really understands the issues we are dealing with and handles them with professionalism and compassion.”
- “She of course knows UK immigration law inside and out. But more importantly, she also knows how to get things done. It is that practical expertise that is difficult to find elsewhere.”
- “Liz is the rare adviser who is an expert both in her field and in delivering results for her clients.”
- “Liz Barratt is superb. She has been at the pinnacle of personal immigration law for many years and is a leader in the field.”
- “Liz is an amazing strategic lawyer. She evaluates the case from all angles and draws on her vast knowledge of the law and long experience in the judiciary system.”
Legal 500 2024
- Liz was featured in the ‘Hall of Fame’ section of Immigration: human rights, appeals & overstay.
- “She has a fantastic personality and confidence that can put clients at ease, knowing they are in safe hands.”
- “Liz Barratt is super bright, has excellent strategic skills in litigation and is very pro client.”
- “Liz Barratt is a very experienced solicitor. Her long experience and strategic thinking are evident in her work and advice.”
- “Liz evaluates all aspects of the case, and from her long experience she anticipates counterparty actions, and also the Judge’s possible views and judgements.”
What clients say
Throughout this process, the worry and frustration he experienced from not being able to work, combined with the financial strains placed upon him, were tempered by Ms Barratt’s commitment to his case and this gave us great comfort. Liz Barratt is truly an amazing immigration lawyer!
– Alan Wong
Professional memberships
- Member of Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA)
- Law Society IAAS Accredited Supervisor and Advanced Caseworker
Education and career
- Liz has a degree in history from Cambridge University
- After some years working for Women’s Aid and a local authority Liz started her legal education studying her Common Professional Examination by distance learning with the College of Law and then her LPC which she gained with distinction
- Liz trained at Bindmans LLP from 1998 – 2000
- Liz worked for Mary Ward Legal Centre after qualification and rejoined Bindmans in 2001
- In 2012 Liz was awarded the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award in the immigration category
- In 2015 Liz was appointed Partner and Joint Head of the Immigration Team at Bindmans LLP