Elizabeth Barbeary
Biography
Elizabeth is an associate in the Baker McKenzie Dispute Resolution team based in London. Elizabeth has experience across a range of complex disputes including ESG litigation, judicial review claims and enforcement investigations.
Elizabeth joined Baker McKenzie as a trainee solicitor and qualified into the Dispute Resolution department in September 2025. Elizabeth was seconded to the Firm’s New York office in 2025, where she worked as part of the North America Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice Group.
Elizabeth maintains an active pro bono practice, with a particular focus on climate change and human rights. She acted for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the litigation concerning the UK Government’s policy to relocate certain asylum seekers to Rwanda, which resulted in the Baker McKenzie team winning Pro Bono Initiative of the Year at the Lawyer Awards 2024.
Representative Legal Matters
Litigation
- Representing a well-known consumer goods company in relation to high-profile ESG litigation in the English courts regarding allegations of forced labor in its overseas supply chain, raising novel conflict of laws issues.
- Acting for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as intervener in the litigation concerning the UK Government’s policy to relocate certain asylum seekers to Rwanda.
- Acting for individuals in relation to enforcement action by the FCA with regard to alleged breaches of listing rules and subsequent appeal to the Upper Tribunal.
- Representing a beneficiary in long-running litigation in Jersey about the governance of the family business owned by the trusts.
Investigations, Compliance & Ethics
- Advising a leading manufacturer on a highly confidential multijurisdictional investigation into sustainability compliance.
- Supporting a household name client conducting an investigation into allegations of bribery, corruption, fraud and customs duty offences in India, which had been raised by a whistleblower, and resulting litigation.
- Acting for multiple clients in relation to contemplated or ongoing investigations conducted by US and UK authorities including HMRC, OFAC and the Department of Justice, raising issues of fraud, corruption and sanctions compliance.
Arbitration
- Acting for a global power corporation in relation to UNCITRAL ad-hoc proceedings involving complex issue of economic duress under English law and concurrent proceedings.
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Young Fraud Lawyer’s Association - Member
Corporate Responsibility
Elizabeth co-founded Baker McKenzie’s environmental pro bono initiative, BakerEarth, in April 2024. Through BakerEarth, the firm have advised clients including WWF-UK, Blue Marine Foundation, Carbon Disclosure Project, Blue Patch and Climate Arc. The firm also advises Legal Response International in the provision of legal support to developing countries during UN climate negotiations, including COP 29, and is a member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance.
Elizabeth has also worked with a number of other NGOs and international bodies on pro bono matters, including Save the Children International, Fairtrade Foundation, UN High Commissioner for Refugees and Global Action on Gun Violence.
Admissions
- England & Wales (2025)
Education
- BPP University (LLM Commercial Legal Practice) (2023)
- Oxford University (Bachelor of Civil Laws (Distinction)) (2022)
- Oxford University (First Class Degree in Law) (2021)
Languages
- English