CM MURRAY INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATORS

Integrity in Investigation

With our commitment to impartiality and objectivity, we excel in serving as independent investigators. Whether it is allegations of misconduct, discrimination, or harassment, we conduct thorough and meticulous investigations, delivering actionable insights and recommendations.

Recent and ongoing independent investigations include:

• Investigation for a London legal practice where senior managers of a small team were alleged to have bullied and harassed junior, vulnerable team members. The matter required a thorough but swift investigation the affected team’s integral nature to the day to day operations and success of the practice. Our report included extensive recommendations with a view to holding the team together without undermining the seriousness of the findings and correcting behaviour going forwards.  
• Conducting a cultural investigation for a large city law firm where serious allegations of unconscious bias, race and gender discrimination had been made. In addition to fact finding following review of relevant documents and interviewing multiple witnesses at different sites, a detailed report with extensive recommendations was the output.
• Emma Bartlett is appointed to the Dignity at Work panel for an international bank, has been Panel Chair for two recent investigations which both involved allegations of psychological harassment and bullying over a sustained period of time. The panel meet in Luxembourg and interviews are held (in person and via video call) with all three panel members who comprise international employment lawyers, former personnel/judiciary of the European Court and psychologists. Issues from recent hearings included having to deal with a rehearing of a different panel’s investigation following a referral from the European Court, dealing with witness evidence in the outcome report for witnesses providing evidence anonymously as the fear of relation was significant, as well as a victim and witness suffering from serious mental distress following the bullying.
• Gabrielle Lintott qualified as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand, and has widespread experience advising on workplace investigations, including those concerning bullying, misconduct, sexual harassment, discrimination and conflicts of interest. Gabrielle acted as an independent investigator in an investigation into serious bullying and harassment complaints raised against senior staff members in a leading New Zealand arboriculture and horticulture business. Gabrielle was tasked with gathering and considering extensive evidence and making findings of fact in circumstances where the sensitive nature of the claims raised, and the “he said/she said” context, necessitated the need for a respectful, thorough and fair investigation.
• Andrew Pavlovic has substantial investigative experience. At his previous firm he acted for the SRA, and was involved in advising on/assisting in large and high profile investigations into firms and individuals, resulting in the production of investigation reports which often formed the basis of SRA action and/or subsequent disciplinary action being taken in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. He now advises firms from a regulatory perspective where allegations of misconduct are made. He advises on whether there is a need to self report the allegation to the SRA, and how to conduct an internal investigation in a way which meets the SRA’s expectations/requirements.

For more information or to discuss our undertaking a workplace investigation as the independent investigator, for your organisation or your client, please contact Partners Emma Bartlett, Andrew Pavlovic, Senior Partner Sarah Chilton, Partner and General Counsel Beth Hale or Associate Gabrielle Lintott.