Ex-law chief wins tribunal

Dr Kamlesh Bahl said she had been "frightened"

A former vice-president of the Law Society of England and Wales has won her race and sex discrimination case.

Dr Kamlesh Bahl's victory has been described as a "slap in the face" for the society.

The employment tribunal also upheld Dr Bahl's claims against the society's former president Robert Sayer and former secretary general Jane Betts.

Damages will be awarded in the autumn.

The society has acted to avoid a similar situation

Dr Bahl, 44, who was once described as "one of the best-known black, Asian women in the country" told the tribunal in Watford that she had been "frightened" by Mr Sayer.

Her claim of victimisation against the society was dismissed.

She was suspended from her high-powered post and later resigned after an external inquiry upheld allegations of bullying made against her last year.

Investigations by the Law Lord, Lord Griffiths, had revealed that Ms Bahl had humiliated and demeaned staff and introduced an "atmosphere of fear and confusion" at the society.

'Remarkable victory'

Dr Bahl, who received a CBE for services to equal opportunities, told the tribunal she was made to feel "vulnerable" on the day she was asked to leave her job.

In a statement Dr Bahl's solicitor Sadiq Khan said: "This is a remarkable victory for Ms Bahl.

"This is a slap in the face for the Law Society and all those who have condoned the treatment and behaviour which the tribunal have found to be both in breach of the Race and Sex Relations Act."

A spokesman for the Law Society said: "While the Law Society is disappointed it is confident that it has already taken steps to prevent a similar case occurring again.

"These proceedings have reflected no credit on Kamlesh Bahl."