David Lavery

Mr Lavery had obtained a super injunction preventing reporting of the case that he is taking against his employer, but it was discharged on 17 September following successful challenge by the Law Society and the Belfast Telegraph.

The statement published by the Belfast Telegraph said: “We confirm that High Court proceedings have been issued on Mr Lavery’s behalf in relation to alleged breaches of his contract of employment by the Law Society of Northern Ireland, and disclosures of information by the Law Society.

“Whilst the interlocutory challenge to disclosure has now been resolved, the lawfulness of the society’s disclosure of information remains subject to legal proceedings and judicial determination in the High Court.

“Mr Lavery is fully entitled to seek all appropriate relief to ensure that due process is afforded to him and that this very sensitive matter is determined in a lawful and fair manner.

“In those circumstances no further comment will be made in relation to this matter at this time.”

Mr Lavery lost his post as human rights commissioner in August following an independent investigation, pursuant to the Code of Governance of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, into his provision of a character reference for his paedophile cousin, William Llloyd-Lavery.

Mr Llloyd-Lavery was convicted in April of historical sex offences committed against female pupils at schools where he was employed as a teacher between 1975 and 1979. Mr Lavery provided his cousin with a character reference in which he referred to him as a Christian man and “a person of sound judgement and good character”.

Mr Lavery apologised and admitted to a “serious error of judgement.” The Law Society had opened its own internal process but stated at that time that it would make no further comment.

Members of the Society, however, expressed a loss of confidence in the leadership of the Society and, following receipt of 50 letters from members, a special general meeting (SGM) was called that was due to take place on 9 September.

However, members of the Society expressed concerns in advance of that meeting over lack of information and documentation allowing them to be properly prepared. In an email to members on 8 September the Society revealed that Mr Lavery had been found guilty of gross misconduct but received a sanction short of dismissal. The SGM was called off to be reconvened at a later date.

In an email to members last week the president of the Law Society, Mark Borland, revealed the events that led to the postponement of the SGM including that Mr Lavery had obtained emergency injunctive relief.

The SGM is now due to take place on 19 October.