Sexual Harassment

We have a wealth of experience in dealing with sexual harassment cases in the civil courts and tribunals, including those cases involving sexual assault. Our cases often involve multi-million-pound claims and settlements. We bring a commercial and sensitive approach which always considers the importance of reputation management, career protection and rights of privacy and anonymity.

We have a particular focus on sexual harassment cases in the world of broadcasting media and finance, which is where the vast majority of our cases arise. We are never conflicted because we never act for finance houses or broadcasting institutions. We have a great deal of experience in handling matters arising within financial institutions, understanding what it takes to obtain the best possible resolution. We have an exceptional level of expertise in dealing with privacy, reputational management and the particular aspects of settlement terms that regularly arise in media cases.

We have the experience and contacts to deal with the cross-jurisdictional issues which can often arise in claims involving finance houses and the media, arising as they often do from incidents that occur in different parts of the world, including where the offensive communications are generated from abroad. Our specialist sexual harassment lawyers are particularly empathetic yet extremely tenacious in their pursuit of justice.

Our current and very recent cases include:

• Advising and representing a global News Anchor in a cross-border UK, Dubai and California sexual harassment case.
• Advising a household name UK broadcaster and journalist on harassment and unequal pay arising from rejection of sexual advances.
• Advising and representing (in litigation) three women in their current claims against a global investment bank.
• Advising two Weinstein victims with cross-border issues involved.
• Advising a global (US) based fitness company on liability for sexual harassment in the UK by one of its franchisees and ambassadors
• Advising Ms A in her publicised rape and sexual assault claim against UBS Investment Bank.
• Representing a victim of detriment arising from a refusal to submit to sexual advances, against an Asset Management House.
• Advising a Member of the House of Lords and business owner accused of sexual harassment.
• Advising on sexual harassment claims against Crispin Odey.

And many more.

Because we believe it is important to understand both sides of the argument, and both sides of litigation, our specialist sexual harassment lawyers represent both victims and individuals facing allegations of sexual misconduct, though we do not represent the institutions themselves. We understand that institutional failings are often the root cause of, or a significant contributing factor to, acts of sexual harassment, related misconduct and toxic work environments.

As with all matters dealt with at the firm, due to our in-house advocacy capability, we are able to progress any litigation from inception through to advocacy at any final hearing.

We advise on and act for clients in matters involving allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace, partnerships or within academic institutions, both in the High Court and Employment Tribunals. We have a particular focus on senior executives and media and entertainment professionals. Our lawyers are well placed to secure anonymity orders on behalf of our clients, as well as working with PR consultants and defamation lawyers to ensure that our clients are able to protect their reputation and private lives whilst making allegations of sexual misconduct or being the subject of such allegations.

Suzanne McKie KC, who heads the Team, has been quoted in and interviewed by the Press on many occasions because of her particular knowledge and expertise in this field.

Farore Law’s sexual harassment lawyers are also specialists in cross- border employment litigation, which means that we are well placed to advise clients in sexual harassment cases with an international dimension. In a recent case, we advised a victim of sexual harassment in enforcing her rights against a multi-national corporation, where the perpetrator was based in another jurisdiction, the harassment occurred in a third jurisdiction and some of the misconduct took place by way of texts across a number of other continents.

As part of our misconduct specialism, we have advised clients facing internal disciplinary proceedings across a broad range of sectors. We are therefore well-versed in “crisis management” and can represent our clients in internal disciplinary proceedings and in disciplinary tribunals should the need arise. Our lawyers have in the past advised individuals regulated by the FCA, SRA and BSB facing allegations of serious misconduct and the regulatory implications of such allegations.

As investigations lawyers, we conduct bespoke independent investigations on behalf of organisations into matters arising from sexual harassment within the workplace, partnerships and academic institutions.