Sophie Barrett-Brown

Senior Partner and Head of UK Practice at Laura Devine Immigration

ILPA Trustee

Sophie is Senior Partner and Head of UK Practice at Laura Devine Immigration.  Recognised for many years by legal directories as a leading expert in UK immigration and nationality law, she is described as being “the best immigration lawyer in the country” and “a force to be reckoned with in the field”; “she sees the big picture and has a thorough and sound historic knowledge which is needed in a subject matter which is constantly changing”.

Sophie’s clients are drawn from all sectors and range from multinational corporations to entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and families.

Sophie has extensive experience in all aspects of UK business immigration and nationality law and EU free movement. She is skilled in all Tiers of the points-based system (PBS), including sponsored migrants, entrepreneur and investor routes as well as discretionary applications.

Sophie is also widely regarded for her policy work, regularly participating in policy consultations and working parties, including managing the company’s numerous submissions to the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC), Home office and the Home Affairs Select Committee, to which she has provided evidence on a number of occasions.

Sophie is a prolific speaker and commentator on immigration topics, presenting internationally and commenting in the general media. Commended for her “generosity in sharing her knowledge” for the benefit of the profession and immigration law practice in the UK, she was previously Chair of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) for five years and is now an ILPA Trustee. She continues to work extensively on various ILPA working groups and training. Sophie is currently a member of the Lexis PSL Editorial Consulting Board and The Law Society Brexit Migration Strategic Reference Group.

Sophie's Past Training

Tutors: Sophie Barrett-Brown, Laura Devine Immigration and Philip Barth, Partner, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors

On 29 March 2019 new Rules came in to force, introducing the new Start up and Innovator categories, to replace the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) and Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) categories.

Changes have also been made to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) extension/ILR requirements and to the Tier 1 (Investor) requirements.

This course aims to provide delegates with a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of the new Start-Up & Innovator categories, including an awareness of the potential advantages/disadvantages compared with predecessor categories.

Start-up & Innovator
Navigating the new structure of Appendix W
Deadlines for grandfathering provisions in Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and (Graduate Entrepreneur)
Start-up – new criteria for initial applications and extension
Innovator – new criteria for initial, extension and ILR applications
Endorsing bodies

  • who are the approved endorsing bodies?
  • eligibility and responsibilities of endorsing bodies
  • criteria and procedure for obtaining endorsements

Definitions
Switching
Funding issues
Types of business/investment
Entrepreneurial teams
Evidence

Tier 1 Investor changes
Permitted investments
Due diligence

Tutors: Sophie Barrett-Brown and Malini Skandachanmugarasan, Laura Devine Immigration

The session aims to provide delegates with a comprehensive understanding of changes to the Immigration Rules/Home Office policies relating to the Points Based System over the last 12-18 months and will analyse the impact of key changes and provide practical tips.

Prior knowledge of the main PBS categories and criteria is required to enable delegates to gain maximum benefit from the session as there will be insufficient time to cover basic criteria given the breadth of the course. Nevertheless the course should cater for a range of abilities.

Topics will include (but not limited to):

  • Tier 1 changes
  • Tier 2 changes
  • Tier 4 changes
  • Tier 5 changes
  • “Genuineness” testing
  • Criminality changes
  • English language changes
  • ILR
  • Evidential flexibility changes
  • Procedural changes
  • Relevant case law
  • Practical tips and tactical solutions

Tutors: Sophie Barrett-Brown, Laura Devine Immigration and Philip Barth, Withers LLP

In force from 11 January 2018, the Immigration Rules for Tier 1 Entrepreneurs have been largely rewritten, significantly changing the structure of the Rules and making key changes to criteria/specified documents.  Changes have also been made to Tier 1 Entrepreneur Investor and to PBS dependants.

This course will cover the changes to the rules, policies affecting Tier 1 Entrepreneurs, Investors and their dependants (including absences requirements for indefinite leave to remain (ILR)), and guide attendees in navigating the new structure of Tier 1 Entrepreneur rules.

The speakers will also provide practical insight and tips from their extensive experience, including strategy points and complex scenario analysis.

The session is aimed at practitioners who have some existing knowledge in this area, given its focus on recent changes. However, the speakers aim to accommodate a broad spectrum of experience, building from key foundation points to advanced interpretation and strategies.

Topics:

  • Navigating the new structure of the Appendix A
  • Changes to definitions
  • Directors loans
  • Evidence of jobs
  • Types of business/investment
  • Entrepreneurial teams
  • Evidential changes
  • Calculating absences for ILR
  • Dependants absences for ILR

Tutors: Sophie Barrett-Brown, Laura Devine Solicitors and Nichola Carter, Carter Thomas Solicitors 

This session aims to arm practitioners with everything they need to know about the changes to be introduced on April 6 2011 and to analyse the potential pitfalls and strategic solutions. Topics to be covered include permanent caps and criteria changes for Tier 2 General and Intra-Company Transfers; changes to Tier 1 (General), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur and Investor) and the fate of Tier 1 (Post Study Worker); the new Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) route and transitional arrangements. The speakers will provide tips and practical solutions. An essential update for all practitioners. Don’t sit alone trying to make sense of it all – share your concerns and ideas with your peers and we shall all achieve a better understanding more quickly.

Topics:

  • Tier 2 – new permanent caps and criteria changes for Tier 2
  • General and ICT (including new points criteria, how points based priority rankings for exceptional COS requests, changes to skills and language levels) – initial, extension and ILR
  • Tier 1 (General) changes – extension and ILR
  • Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – initial, extension and ILR
  • Tier 1 (Investor) – initial, extension and ILR
  • Tier 1 (Post Study Worker) – the fate of this category
  • The new Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) route
  • Transitional arrangements
  • Top tips and practical solutions

Innovator & Start-up – the new rules explained Plus Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) & (Investor) update

I liked Sophie’s presentation – she was brilliant in explaining the start up and innovator categories.

Innovator & Start-up – the new rules explained Plus Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) & (Investor) update

The Topic is very interesting and current live issue. Excellent session.

Innovator & Start-up – the new rules explained Plus Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) & (Investor) update

Sophie was brilliant as always! Thank you for the hard work done on this!

Latest changes Tier 1 Entrepreneur & Investor

An Excellent, Insightful training!