list of his assets for a bankruptcy hearing.

The former MP will return to court on January 26 when a statement of affairs must be produced for the Registrar of Companies.

Appearing before Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons yesterday, Mr. Hall asked for more time to get the documentation in order, saying: "The bottom line is that there was a question of who the official receiver was.'' Mr. Hall also said he had business interests and his financial advisors suggested a further delay after the Christmas holiday "when a better picture of one company's position'' would be known.

He also claimed to have had several drafts of statements of affairs on file, and he said he found himself in a "better position''.

But Ms Simmons replied: "I am telling you now that Mr. (Alan) Dunch wants to keep you on a tight rein.'' Mr. Dunch, representing the trustees of the estate of millionaire Betty Lorraine McMahon who have received a judgment against Mr. Hall for $1.6 million, accepted the delay.

Mr. Hall had represented Mrs. McMahon, and was ordered to pay the money plus simple interest at seven percent by Chief Justice Austin Ward in a chambers hearing in December, 1997.

He had been proven correct, Mr. Dunch said, in that the only way to see a resolution was by putting Mr. Hall's "livelihood in jeopardy''.

Under Bermuda law, lawyers cannot practise after being declared bankrupt.

Mr. Dunch said he would not be upset with a 45-day adjournment, adding: "On the basis of your comments, My Lady, that he appears to only have been procrastinating, I'm not going to be upset...'' Mr. Hall however, as the hearing progressed, said: "I have not been attempting to procrastinate. I was merely exercising my rights. I have never had my day in court with respect to substantive points.''