Legal Week reports that the two French employees made accusations of psychological harassment, including allegations of sexual discrimination and anti-Semitism, which is strenuously denied by Clifford Chance.

One of the employees was fired last summer for performance based reasons, but the firm’s attempts to authorise the second dismissal were denied by the French Ministry of Employment.

Court action

The second employee, who launched court action before the firm filed the dismissal request, is awaiting the Ministry’s final decision on the matter before taking further action.

Meanwhile, the former employee, who initiated court action last November, will have her claims heard at the end of the year.

In a statement, CC told Legal Week: ‘We believe these claims are without merit and we will be vigorously defending them.’