The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is considering referring Dentons to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT), after the firm dismissed a pregnant staff member last year.

The employment discrimination case, which was heard last year, was brought by Bina Hale, a former recruitment manager in the firm's Milton Keynes office, who claimed after being fired in January 2017 that she was unfairly dismissed and discriminated against for going on maternity leave.

An employment tribunal ruled in favour of Hale last December, stating that there had been no consultation with her prior to the decision being made, and that she was "pre-selected" for redundancy as she had been on maternity leave.

The SRA subsequently opened an investigation into Dentons and the regulator has confirmed that it is now considering referring the firm to the SDT, though no individual lawyers are facing further investigation.

A spokesperson for Dentons said: "We are pleased that all the individuals named in this matter have been cleared by the SRA from further investigation and prosecution. However, we are disappointed the SRA is considering referring the firm to the SDT, based solely on the fact of the employment tribunal's original judgment, as we are committed to a working environment free of discrimination."

Earlier this year, Dentons said it had conducted an internal investigation to ensure that the staff named in the decision had not behaved improperly.

"Diversity and inclusion, as well as the highest standards of professionalism, are both very important priorities for the firm," Dentons said. "Earlier this year we reviewed our maternity policy to ensure it is aligned with market best practice, and we have also enhanced our family-friendly policies to support working parents in various ways with both work-related and personal family challenges."

A spokesperson for the SRA said its work on this matter continues.