The High Court has urged the sides to consider mediation in proceedings brought by the chairperson of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Fiona Squibb claims her suspension from the charity's board earlier this year was unlawful, unfair, and fundamentally flawed. She denies any wrongdoing.
The court heard Ms Squibb has been an animal welfare volunteer with the ISPCA for 20 years.
She was elected chair of the society last year. She claims the organisation's Chief Executive, Andrew Kelly, went on sick leave for medical stress after her appointment.
She says he sought to return to work in December but sent a letter demanding that she and another director resign or else he would raise a grievance with the charity regulator.
Ms Squibb says Mr Kelly displayed dissatisfaction with her election and had long sought her removal as a director. She says that after his return to work he submitted a grievance about her to the board and said she had undermined his position.
The court heard she and another director were suspended pending the outcome of a grievance procedure. She says this has damaged her reputation and implies she has done something wrong.
Her lawyer told the court no formal allegation had been made against her and she is unaware of what policy or code she is said to have violated.
The court was told she claims the procedure was fundamentally flawed, unfair and lacked transparency.
Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds urged Ms Squibb to consider mediating her dispute. She also said Ms Squibb, who does not receive any payment for her work for the ISPCA, should consider bringing her application in the Circuit Court where the costs would be lower.
