RACHEL CRASNOW KC

Working at the cutting edge of both employment and discrimination law, Rachel is currently instructed in the appeal in Pal v Accenture where in November 2026 the Court of Appeal will focus on the correct test for Polkey reductions, whether dismissals for not being “promotion ready” can be fair and the circumstances in which endometriosis may amount to a disability under the Equality Act 2010.   Rachel’s expertise in discrimination law led to her appearing in the first Supreme Court hearing concerning s.15 Equality Act 2010 and disability-related discrimination (Williams v Swansea University [2018]).

Specialist trial advocate

Rachel leads teams before the courts and tribunals in complex multi-day disputes. Recent cases have involved acting for a university in historic pay disputes, a city firm regarding cross boarder jurisdiction issues, a challenge involving a London diocese and a bank defending allegations of whistleblowing and fraud.

A long-recognised specialist in worker status claims, one of Rachel’s standout cases in this field is the test case of O'Brien v Ministry of Justice which enabled part-time judges to receive pensions and where she appeared six times in the Supreme Court  and twice in the CJEU. She remains counsel of choice for disputes concerning the status of judicial officer holders.  Another ongoing "status" test case is that of Oni where foster carers seek worker status, an appeal headed for the Supreme Court.

Her specialism in whistleblowing law  includes challenging the Bar against such protection for judges using human rights law in the landmark decisions including Gilham v MoJ: focusing on judges’ employment status and Article 14. She also has significant experience in NHS whistleblowing cases.

Rachel’s equal pay work covers a wide range of sectors. She has been instructed in public sector cases in local government and education involving thousands of carers, school–based workers and female professors. Her private sector equal pay cases have involved the BBC, LLPs, care homes, trade unions and drama schools. She currently leads a team from Cloisters on mass supermarket equal pay claims against Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Tesco (representing thousands of workers)

Rachel's High Court practice has recently included resisting injunctions on behalf of a political party, involvement in confidential information cases and successful applications for civil restraint orders. 

Due to her depth of knowledge of discrimination law, Rachel also represents clients and advises on discrimination claims in the civil court in the areas of Goods & Services, Education and Associations (including members’ clubs, trade unions, the retail and housing sectors, youth organisations and political parties). Recently she has advised  on the interface of charity and discrimination law the sphere of discriminatory scholarships, analysed the implications of the Cass Review for trade unions and advised on the human rights implications of the 2024 Michaela school case.

Rachel has long-standing experience in defending and presenting cases of professional misconduct for regulatory bodies including the British Psychological Society, the Labour Party and the GMC. In 2015 she was appointed a Police Appeals Tribunal Chair where she works as an appeal judge and adjudicates over high profile misconduct hearings for senior police officers.

Rachel sits as a Recorder in the Employment Appeal Tribunal and in the family courts where many of the issues she hears and determines overlap with her employment practice, including sexual harassment.

Rachel sits as a CEDR trained mediator and is frequently instructed to mediate in highly sensitive disputes in areas from equal pay to race discrimination and religion. She is  frequently used by a wide range of organisations for her pragmatic sensitive approach in seemingly intractable disputes.

Rachel is sought after to carry out complex investigations where there are significant reputational issues at stake and is ranked as an expert in this field by Chambers and Partners who call her "one of the best independent investigators, showing huge tact and highly useful lateral thinking to find solutions to difficult procedural issues with great sensitivity.” She had significant experience on how to navigate data protection and privilege issues during investigations. She conducts disciplinary and grievance procedures for a wide range of clients, from higher education institutions to solicitors' firms and political parties. She often handles very sensitive and serious allegations against financial executives, senior partners and academic leaders.   She is regularly instructed by Oxbridge Colleges to Chair or advise upon disciplinary hearings concerning alleged misconduct by Masters or senior academics.

Rachel is a long-term supporter of greater inclusion at the Bar and campaigns for diversity and well-being in the legal profession via pro bono work with the Bar Council and beyond, being awarded a Diversity Law Champion award in 2018. Her commitment to equality and diversity are further evidenced her nomination for a D&I Inclusion Outstanding Contribution award in 2022. She chairs the Bar Council’s EDSM Committee.

She has been a on the Panel of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Preferred Counsel for over 20 years and also advises bodies in relation to EHRC enforcement powers. In what remaining time she has, Rachel volunteers for the Schools Consent Programme, carrying out workshops in secondary schools about sexual consent.  She has has extensive experience in delivering familiarisation training enabling witnesses to perform to their best in court.

• “Rachel Crasnow is very well regarded as an investigator.” -Chambers and Partners, 2026

• “Rachel Crasnow is a standout in Investigations. She is superb.” - Chambers and Partners, 2026

• “Rachel Crasnow has an excellent eye for detail.” - Chambers and Partners, 2026

• “Rachel Crasnow is a fantastic employment lawyer.” -Chambers and Partners, 2026

• “Rachel is very good on her feet at a trial.” - Legal 500, 2026

• Listed in Doyle's Guide among the UK's Leading Employment & Labour Barristers, recognising her expertise in complex employment, equality and discrimination disputes.

• “Rachel Crasnow has marvellous client-handling skills and clearly has the court's ear." "Rachel's witness-handling skills are amazing." "Rachel is a real client favourite." (Employment) "Rachel is a standout expert who thinks outside the box." "Rachel is very effective, has brilliant legal judgement and reaches investigative conclusions with absolute clarity." (Independent Investigations) - Chambers & Partners 2025

• Recommended by Who’s Who Legal 2024 for Labour, Employment & Benefits.

• According to an article in The Lawyer magazine in 2019, Rachel Crasnow KC was one of “top 10” female silks appearing in the Court of Appeal.

• "Rachel is an expert in employment law and the go-to claimant counsel for pregnancy and maternity discrimination." "She is a standout counsel for me. She is a very good listener as well as being adaptable. She is very good on complicated matters, being passionate and committed, and understanding the issues." "Rachel has a very cool head. She is an excellent advocate who is great under pressure as a very good strategic thinker."-Chambers & Partners 2024

• "Rachel is an expert in equal pay matters. Her tribunal advocacy is great; she really knows where the tribunal is going and can steer them in the desired direction."-Legal 500 2024

• Rachel Crasnow KChas built up an impressive practice, earning her a reputation as “a practical and supportive barrister” who is “active in taking on difficult discrimination cases”. -Who’s Who Legal 2023

• "Rachel is great to work with and excellent with clients. She is super responsive and really gets stuck into the detail of the case."-Chambers & Partners 2023

• "Rachel has great strength in discrimination and equality law cases, providing very clear and accessible advice on complex issues. She has a good strategic approach when defending complex and sensitive claims, evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of a case very quickly, and has great client-handling skills - clients immediately know that she's on top of her brief and fighting their corner, and appreciate her sharp analysis and pragmatic approach."-Legal 500 2023