QUEBEC -- The suspended head of the Quebec Bar Association learned on Friday she won't be able to resume her role until the case plays out in court.

Quebec Superior Court Justice Michel Beaupre rejected an application by Lu Chan Khuong to be reinstated immediately to the head of the professional order.

Khuong was suspended July 1 after it was revealed in the media she had been the subject of a shoplifting complaint in April 2014 at a clothing store in Laval, Que., just north of Montreal.

The bar's lawyer says there is evidence linking Khuong to a second alleged offence at a Quebec City store.

She was never charged for the first alleged shoplifting incident and the matter was dealt with non-judicially at the time.

Beaupre wrote in his decision released Friday that normal operations at the bar would be disturbed if she was reinstated, and that bringing her back early wouldn't do anything to correct the current crisis at the association.

Khuong is fighting her suspension in court and seeking $95,000 in damages from nine board members who suspended her.

Those members in turn filed a $90,000 lawsuit against Khuong for allegedly damaging their reputation.

Represented by Jean-Francois Bertrand, Khuong had hoped to convince the court to reinstate her so that she could continue her mandate.

Khuong was elected last May with more than 60 per cent of the vote.

She alleged the suspension was causing an "irreparable prejudice" as it went against the presumption of innocence.

Beaupre said it wasn't clear the board had no jurisdiction to suspend her, as Khuong's lawyer argued.

The judge did accept a request to have a bar-appointed committee examining her case suspend their work.

Khuong's case against the board is expected to be heard beginning Oct. 5.