Bankrupt barrister Julian Hall failed to turn up a meeting of his creditors yesterday.

The meeting was adjourned until May while the Official Receiver Jeremy Cox examines what steps to take.

Mr. Hall was required under the Bankruptcy Rules to attend the meeting of creditors where an assessment would be made of claims against him and arrangements made to disburse his estate.

It is understood that the next step that can be taken is to apply for a warrant for his arrest.

The former Progressive Labour Party MP was declared bankrupt in January -- which prohibits him from practising as a barrister - with debts of $1.9 million and assets of $135,000.

In December 1997, he was ordered to pay a former client, Canadian widow Betty Lorraine McMahon, $1.6 million plus seven percent interest.

Mr. Hall's creditors have become frustrated at the lengthy legal process they have had to go through to try to recover their money.

For more than two years they have attempted to secure payment. In January this year Mr. Hall was ordered to submit a detailed statement of his financial affairs to the Supreme Court in January.

Assistant Official Receiver Stephen Lowe said after the adjournment of the meeting at the Registrar of Companies: "Julian Hall did not turn up and the meeting was adjourned.

"The Official Receiver is examining the options and has adjourned the meeting until May.'' Mr. Lowe refused to disclose what steps were open to Mr. Cox or to offer any further details.

The adjournment gives potential creditors who want to recover alleged debts from Mr. Hall more time to submit a claim to the Official Receiver.

Alan Dunch, Mrs McMahon's lawyer, applied to have Mr. Hall declared bankrupt in January when he accused him of dodging his financial responsibilities.

Granting the banruptcy application, Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons, said Mr. Hall's "purported'' statement of affairs did not even "remotely approximate'' to his promise made the previous month to provide a full statement of affairs.

The meeting yesterday was designed to give creditors an opportunity to appoint a Trustee in Bankruptcy to replace the Official Receiver and to appoint a committee to supervise the bankruptcy.