Global firm Clyde & Co has settled a long-running whistleblowing dispute with former partner Krista Bates van Winkelhof weeks before an employment tribunal was set to hear her claims for alleged unfair dismissal and sex discrimination.

The firm and Mishcon de Reya, which represented Bates van Winkelhof, confirmed an agreement had been reached but said ‘neither parties will be making any further comment’.

In May the Supreme Court ruled that Bates van Winkelhof (pictured), who had been a partner at Clyde & Co, was a ‘worker’ for the purpose of employment legislation and was therefore entitled to protection under ‘whistleblowing’ laws.

The ruling paved the way for her claims against the firm in relation to allegations of unfair dismissal due to whistleblowing as well as continuing her claim for sex discrimination, both of which the firm denied.

The English-qualified Bates van Winkelhof alleged that she had been sacked by Clyde & Co in 2011 after making allegations against the managing partner of the firm’s Tanzanian operation.

In September 2012 the Court of Appeal dismissed the claim, holding that members of LLPs were not ‘workers’ under employment rules, but said her sex discrimination case could continue.

The case was scheduled to be heard before the Employment Tribunal next month.

Joanna Blackburn, partner at London firm Mishcon de Reya, acted for Bates van Winkelhof.