Lu Chan Khuong denied immediate reinstatement as head of Quebec Bar
Lu Chan Khuong, the head of the Quebec Bar who was suspended in July over shoplifting allegations, will not get her job back for the time being.
Quebec Superior Court Judge Michel Beaupré made the ruling Friday, about one week after Khuong filed a safeguard order demanding her immediate reinstatement as president of the Bar.
The court rejected the safeguard order, which requests an immediate decision from the court. Beaupré ruled Khuong should not get her job back until the court can examine the case she filed against the Quebec Bar.
In his ruling, Beaupré said that immediately reinstating Khuong, before her case is heard in court, would only create turmoil at the Quebec Bar.
Beaupré did say that Khuong would "suffer irreparable harm if she is not reinstated." However, given the lack of urgency and the fact that the file is still in progress, he rejected Kuong's request.
Suspended over shoplifting allegations
Khuong hired a lawyer in July, after she was suspended by the Quebec Bar board of directors over shoplifting allegations.
Khuong denied the allegations and said the situation, reportedly involving two pairs of jeans worth $455, resulted from a "moment of inattention" and occurred in good faith. Charges were never laid and the case was dealt with non-judicially, meaning it remained private and did not go through the court system.
Khuong, who hired a lawyer, argued the Bar's board had no right to relieve her of her duties.
Timeline:
- May 22, 2015: Khuong elected as head of the Quebec Bar with 63 per cent of the vote
- July 1, 2015: Khuong is suspended by the Bar's board of directors over shoplifting allegations
- July 22, 2015: Khuong files a lawsuit against the Quebec Bar, seeking $95,000
- Aug. 18, 2015: Quebec Bar files lawsuit against Khuong, seeking $90,000
- Aug. 20, 2015: Khuong files safeguard order, demanding her immediate reinstatement
