Lawyer Timothy Marshall this week revealed he had withdrawn a $107,000 writ over alleged unpaid Legal Aid fees.

Mr. Marshall said he believed Health and Social Services Minister the Hon.

Harry Soares was getting to grips with the problem.

"The Minister seems to have got to the bottom of the situation, and is making things happen in terms of improvement.

"He has asked me to resubmit my bills, and reading between lines I have the impression they are going to be dealt with quickly. I have, therefore, withdrawn my writ.'' The Government-funded Legal Aid system is designed to pay lawyers to represent clients unable to pay high legal fees.

Under it, lawyers' rates vary from $100 per hour to $110 per hour -- roughly a third of those of lawyers in private practice.

Last month, attorney Mr. Phil Perinchief slapped a writ on the Finance Ministry, Legal Aid Committee chairman Puisne Judge the Hon. Justice Ground and Attorney General Mr. Elliott Mottley, claiming he is owed up to $41,000 in arrears. Another writ soon followed.

Mr. Marshall later disclosed he was also considering a lawsuit. But this threat has now been withdrawn.

He said he had been in contact with Mr. Soares, who had pledged to fight delays in Legal Aid payments.

"I understand he has spoken to all parties involved, finding out how the situation can be improved.'' Mr. Marshall said he also understood Mr. Soares had raised the matter with Cabinet.

"I think he has picked up the ball. Based on the contact I've had with him, he has been speaking to various people to see what the past problems are with the system, and now the matter is being viewed, perhaps, as a priority. It is on the front burner instead of the back burner.'' Said Mr. Soares: "Mr. Marshall has been in contact with me, and I took his inquiry very, very seriously and I promised I would do my utmost to bring the matter to a mutually agreeable resolution.'' Mr. Soares, however, declined to be specific about what he was doing to address the Legal Aid problems.

"I would like to keep that confidential right now.''