Rachel Kamm

Rachel is an Associate Member at 11KBW who specialises in investigations. Her experience covers a broad range of workplace issues (including allegations of bullying, discrimination and victimisation) across different sectors. Her background in public law (including a strong focus on education law, regulation, information law, health and community care) also gives her the knowledge and skills to work in many other investigation contexts, including those relating to university students, schools, public sector service provision, governance and culture reviews. Recent investigations have involved a student complaint of sexual harassment by a university tutor, a headteacher’s complaint of bullying by a school governor, and a student complaint of sexual harassment and stalking by a fellow student.

Whilst she qualified as, and used to practise as, a barrister, Rachel does not provide any legal services to clients and her investigation work is not covered by many of the rules which regulate practising barristers. Her sole role is to undertake an impartial investigation for a client. That work will usually be undertaken alongside (but separate from) related legal advice and litigation services, but she will not be involved in any way in that legal advice or litigation service.

Rachel works closely with clients to agree terms of reference for each investigation, ensuring that there is as much clarity as possible from the outset about not only the scope of the investigation, but also the likely number of interviews and the proposed format for her report. During an investigation, she has the experience to identify quickly any issues affecting the scope of the investigation and she keeps in regular touch with clients. She is sensitive to the impact of an investigation on all involved, working hard to balance the needs for a timely resolution and a proportionate investigation. Given her impartial investigative role and broad experience of communicating with people from different backgrounds in a range of sensitive situations, she is well-placed to build trust and have the important discussions in interviews. She is equally effective at analysing large volumes of documents. Her reports are clearly written, answering the relevant questions and (where requested) making practical and insightful recommendations.