A process for the preparation of 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxy-5H-dibenz/b,f/azepine-5-carboxamide (1) by ring opening of 11a,10b-dihydro-6H-dibenz/b,f/oxireno[d]azepine-6-carboxamide (5), characterised in that the ring opening is carried out under conditions of elevated pressure.