SBL in dismissal row

THE SOCIETY of Black Lawyers is embroiled in a legal dispute with a senior ex-staff member who was dismissed.

Former administrator Sonia Grant is set to take the Brixton-based organisation to an industrial tribunal claiming unfair dismissal.

Makbool Javaid, society chair, claims Grant was dismissed following a number of complaints about how the body's headquarters were being run. "It was as a result of issues raised at an annual general meeting by members which was taken up by the executives, then the decision was taken."

The society has not yet appointed a new administrator.

It is understood that negotiations towards a settlement are taking place between the two sides.Grant could not be contacted for comment last week.

Javaid says: "We are denying the dismissal was unfair and have every reason to be confident that we will succeed."