The planned sale of a house belonging to lawyer Carlsen Philip failed on Saturday after bidding did not reach the reserve price.

And there was a last minute legal twist when Mr. Philip obtained a Supreme Court order on Saturday morning giving him until March 20 to pay off all the mortgage on the house.

The judgement was issued by Supreme Court Judge Ian Kawaley hours before the 3 p.m. sale on Saturday.

Bermuda Savings and Loan put the house in Valley Lane, Sandys, up for sale over the non-payment of a mortgage in the name of Mr. Philip and Chrislyn Renee Philip.

A public auction was held at the property ? a .34 acre plot with a three bedroom cottage attached to another house ? on Saturday afternoon.

Around 35 people attended and there were three bids of up to $460,000, but they did not reach the reserve price, said auctioneer Andrew Horsfield of Bermuda Provident Company yesterday.

He said Bermuda Savings and Loan intended to negotiate sale with one of the three interested people, subject to the court order giving Mr. Philip until March 20 to pay off all the debt.

?The bidding went to $460,000 but it didn?t go to the reserve price,? Mr. Horsfield said yesterday.

?We are going to try to negotiate a sale with the three parties that have indicated an interest and we will exercise the power of sale, subject to the new rider (legal action).?

Mr. Philip has been sued a number of times, according to legal actions listed in the writ book at the Supreme Court Registry.

He does not have a current certificate to practise law, nor did he have one last year, Bermuda Bar Association has confirmed.

Supreme Court Registry records show Mr. Philip has been sued by Gerald R.C. Pascoe. Roland Winslow Simmons Sr., Bank of Bermuda, Bank of N.T. Butterfield and Son. and Space limited.