Liberal Democrat peers are to meet for the first time since the row over Lord Rennard's future with the party began.
Lord Rennard had his party membership temporarily suspended after he refused to apologise over claims he sexually harassed female party members.
The peer, who has denied the claims, has threatened to take legal action over his suspension.
It comes as the group Women Liberal Democrats urged Nick Clegg to appoint a mediator to help resolve the row.
Lord Rennard has been suspended for 14 weeks while the Lib Dems investigate whether he has brought the party into disrepute by refusing to apologise for causing distress to a number of women.
- Chris Rennard, 53, has worked for the Lib Dems since his student days in Liverpool
- He first gained attention as a local activist and then party agent for former MP David Alton, helping him win successive election victories in the city in 1979 and 1983
- He then became campaigns and election director for the whole party, overseeing a host of by-election victories between 1989 and 2003 as the Lib Dems grew in size
- He was chief executive between 2003 and 2009, serving three leaders Charles Kennedy, Sir Menzies Campbell and Nick Clegg
- He stepped down in 2009 citing ill health and the difficulties of managing a diabetic condition
- He became a peer in 1999
He is expected to seek a court order within days to try to halt disciplinary proceedings against him.
The BBC understands Lord Rennard has instructed a senior QC to advise him on the lawfulness of the party's action in suspending him following the allegations he made unwanted sexual advances to several activists and touched them inappropriately.
The party's original internal investigation, led by senior barrister Alistair Webster QC, concluded the claims against Lord Rennard by four women could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
But it also said the evidence of the women who lodged complaints was "broadly credible" and urged the peer to apologise.
Party leader Mr Clegg has said it was "the right judgement" for him to demand an apology from Lord Rennard.
The peer has said he feels "regret" if he unintentionally "hurt" any women but added that he would not apologise for something he "had not done".
He has also expressed concerns that an apology would be an admission of guilt and make him liable to potential legal proceedings by his accusers.
One of the women, Bridget Harris, has said she would not rule out future legal action against the peer but any such step would "depend on the circumstances".
Like the party's Federal Executive Committee, the Women Liberal Democrats have called for external mediators to be brought in.
In a further development, the party's president Tim Farron has denied claims by allies of Lord Rennard that he had attempted to block mediation.
Mr Farron said talks were continuing between senior figures in the party and in the Lords and said it was important that the peer complied with the wishes of the party and its leader Mr Clegg.
Lib Dem sources told the BBC that legal action could lead "to a blood bath, the like of which the party has not seen before".
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