Kate Kapp

Partner & Head of Thames Valley Office | Reading

Kate Kapp Photo

Kate is an employment law partner and is head of the Thames Valley office and the firm’s Thames Valley litigation, and franchise client teams.

With over 10 years’ experience as an employment lawyer and litigator, she represents and advises both employers and employees on a full range of contentious and non-contentious employment related issues, and has extensive experience in negotiating sensitive and high value exits, providing day-to-day advice for many of the firm’s corporate clients, within a broad range of industries. She also regularly conducts independent workplace investigations and reviews for employers, into complex, sensitive and high profile employment issues, including sexual harassment and discrimination.

Further to this, Kate undertakes High Court Injunction work and has experience in respect of committal proceedings. Her cases typically involve complex points of fact or law, and those with particular reputational/financial importance for clients.

Kate is listed as an ‘Associate to watch’ by Chambers and Partners, and is also named as a ‘Key lawyer’ within The Legal 500. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and the Employment Lawyers Association, and runs many bespoke seminars and training sessions for clients.

What people say about Kate

“Kate leaves me and my team feeling reassured, supported and in possession of the knowledge and information needed to approach even the most complex issues.”

Chambers & Partners Guide

‘Kate Kapp is a stand-out member of the team. Her commitment to her clients’ cases leaves no stone unturned and she protects the client from overzealous opponents during litigation. Under pressure Kate remains calm and provides clear guidance to the client without being distracted by the high stakes that are the subject of the litigation.’

The Legal 500

"Kate was professional, knowledgeable and responsive. She was there at every step of the journey and I was really pleased with the outcome".

Client

"Kate provided brilliant support on a very complex employee relations case. We received high quality advice. Kate perfectly balanced commercial considerations with legislative risk and overall it was an excellent customer service experience".

Client 

"Kate balances commercial considerations with legislative risk and overall always gives an excellent customer service".

Client 

Recent work includes 

  • Piperdy v Shepherds Bush Housing Association Ltd and Others – protected disclosure detriment, breach of Working Time Regulations 1998 and breach of contract claim. Kate successfully defended all claims brought against both the employing business and the Chief Finance Officer
  • Evans v Xactly Limited - disability discrimination, race discrimination and victimisation claim. This is the leading case on ‘banter’ in the workplace. Kate successfully defended all claims and secured costs against the Claimant
  • Gallagher v Bunzl Limited - sexual harassment, victimisation and unlawful deduction from wages claim. Kate successfully secured strike out of all claims and a costs order against the Claimant
  • Deson v Equifax Limited - race discrimination and victimisation claim. Kate successfully defended all claims
  • Lead investigator with Tina Wisener, Partner and Adam Murdoch, Senior Associate on an independent investigation at a high-profile company in the tech sector
  • Acting in High Court Injunction/Committal Proceedings for several claimants following a campaign of harassment conducted by the Respondent
  • Acting for a very senior employee of a well known marketing agency in a dispute relating to alleged institutionalised sex discrimination and equal pay

Professional memberships

  • Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives)
  • Employment Lawyers Assocaition (ELA)

Areas of expertise 

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