The Law Council of Australia says its president-elect has resigned despite an independent investigation into allegations over his conduct making no adverse findings against him.

President Arthur Moses SC, says in a statement, that on 23 March 2019 an allegation was made regarding the conduct of Konrad de Kerloy at a function by a fellow director. Mr Moses says Mr de Kerloy, who specialises in commercial litigation and corporate insolvency at Perth firm Freehills, has consistently denied the allegation.

“An independent investigation commissioned by me as the President of the Law Council was unable to determine the allegation and made no adverse findings against either Mr de Kerloy or the director who made the allegation,” Mr Moses says.

The parties subsequently participated in a mediation before Catherine Branson QC.

“Mr de Kerloy voluntarily stood aside during this period to avoid any suggestion that he was in a position to influence any decision in the matter. He resumed his duties on 25 May 2019, following a board meeting of the Law Council that considered the report of the independent investigator and the outcome of the mediation,” says Mr Moses.

“Mr de Kerloy has informed me that since resuming his position as President-elect, he has reluctantly concluded that the matter may continue to be an unnecessary distraction from the important work of the Law Council. Accordingly, in the best interests of the Law Council, Mr de Kerloy has informed me of his decision to resign as President-elect.

“I have accepted Mr de Kerloy’s resignation and thank Konrad for his tireless work and contribution to the national profession. He has made a significant contribution to the Law Council as a director since 2014 and since his election to office in 2017 as Treasurer and, more recently, as President-elect.”