Process for producing a polyarylene ester

A process for producing a polyarylene ester, which comprises subjecting to a polymerization reaction at a temperature of 0.degree. to 100.degree. C, in the presence of a polymerization catalyst selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine, a quaternary ammonium compound and a quaternary phosphonium compound, a slurry of at least one divalent phenol, at least one aromatic carboxyl dichloride, and calcium hydroxide in the form of solid particles, said polymerization catalyst being used in an amount of 0.001 to about 5 molar % based on the amount of the divalent phenol and said calcium hydroxide being present in an amount of at least 1.5 mol per one mol of said divalent phenol, in an inert organic liquid which is a solvent for the polyarylene ester but not a solvent for the calcium hydroxide to give a reaction mixture consisting of a solid phase and a single liquid phase containing the polyarylene ester dissolved in the inert organic liquid, and then separating the liquid phase from the solid phase.