World's biggest law firm fights £30m claim after partner calls it imperialist

The world's biggest law firm is facing a record £30m claim for compensation after a disgruntled partner based in Bangkok accused British lawyers of having "imperialist" attitudes.

Wirot Poonsuwan has been suspended and faces being expelled from the Clifford Chance partnership after making further allegations over the way the firm runs its business.

The Thai lawyer first fell out with his bosses after they accused him of failing to make a proper contribution to the firm's business. They said he spent too much of the working day exercising in the gym and had refused to meet managers.

Last year Mr Poonsuwan e-mailed the management in London a set of allegations in which he described the firm as "imperialist", guilty of race discrimination and tax fraud. He also launched separate proceedings against a fellow partner in Bangkok whom he accused of defamation, a criminal offence in Thailand.

In August the firm decided to suspend him on full pay and has now resolved to expel him from the partnership, the first time that Clifford Chance has taken such action.

Part of Mr Poonsuwan's allegation includes the suggestion that the firm has adopted the practice of time-sheet "padding", which can lead to clients being overcharged.

Last night Clifford Chance denied all the allegations and said that it would be strongly resisting Mr Poonsuwan's compensation claim.

A spokesman for the law firm said it had run a thorough investigation into all of the claims made by Mr Poonsuwan and could find no evidence to support them. Chris Perrin, an executive partner, said: "This is a very sad situation, and one which the firm has tried hard to resolve.

"Wirot's actions are unacceptable and incompatible with the partnership."