Allen & Overy (A&O) has been hit by a series of sex and race discrimination allegations by members of staff in the past year, with five claims settled internally or outstanding, Legal Week has learned.

The latest claims – which are being brought against the firm by intranet projects manager Shazia Wahab – were reaching the close of an employment tribunal as Legal Week went to press.

Wahab has made two separate claims against the firm for discrimination covering sex and race, and discrimination against her as a part-time employee.

The Department of Trade & Industry has also confirmed that A&O faced two separate race claims made by vocation scheme applicant Shahid Ghafoor, although these were withdrawn in March this year.

A claim relating to race, sex discrimination and breach of contract was settled internally with secretary Desiree Stewart, as was a claim for equal pay made by IT support analyst Tiku Patel and a claim for constructive and unfair dismissal made by clerical worker Alan Black.

Wahab, who is still employed by the firm pending the outcome of the hearing, recently developed a pro bono and community work intranet site for the firm.

An A&O spokesman said: "We have only defended one other tribunal in the last five years for sex discrimination and won the case outright."

The A&O spokesman stressed the firm had defended the previous claims and they had now been settled amicably via the firm's internal procedures.