Agent sought as Society and Bahl continue mediation

The Law Society's mediation process with former Vice-President Kamlesh Bahl has not collapsed, both sides said this week in the wake of press reports.

The Society said the mediation process - as urged by an SGM in January - is continuing and that a new mediation agent, on which all the parties agree, is being sought.

Ms Bahl's solicitor - Lawrence Davies - claimed that neither the Society nor its advisers, City firm Herbert Smith, had disclosed their involvement with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, which had been handling the mediation.

The Society said the links were disclosed in writing before the pre-mediation process had begun.

A spokeswoman said: 'We were surprised to receive an open letter from Ms Bahl's solicitors, particularly given that it was agreed with CEDR that the contents of discussions were confidential to the parties.'

Mr Davies said: 'We are committed to the mediation but this hasn't helped.

We don't wish to engage the services of CEDR.'

Neil Rose