The Solicitors Regulation Authority has closed an investigation regarding a former Freshfields partner who conducted a review into the alleged rape of a bank employee.

In a judgment from November 2019, the claimant accused those behind the report into 'tricking' her into co-operating with an investigation where she was not going to be provided with the outcome. The judgment named Caroline Stroud, a partner with the firm, as the person who conducted the review.

In a statement today, Freshfields said: 'We are pleased to confirm that following a thorough review, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has completely exonerated Caroline Stroud regarding a complaint made about her role on a client mandate in 2018 and the matter is now closed. Caroline is an outstanding employment litigator who has built a renowned reputation as one of the best in her field over her long career.'

Asked to comment on the outcome of the review, an SRA spokesperson said: 'We have looked at all the available information and decided to close the matter with no further action. If further information is made available, we can look again at the issues.'

Stroud retired in 2021 in a move not linked to the investigation.