The Galway builder who made a complaint to the Law Society about Michael Lynn in 2003 issued a writ against the Dublin-based solicitor and property developer last Friday to recover €817,747 deducted by Mr Lynn after a Dublin property sale.

Brian Cunningham and his wife Marian made their complaint to the Law Society in 2003 after Mr Lynn deducted professional fees of €817,747 from a sale deposit of €1.4 million held in the client account of his practice after the disposal of Finglas Shopping Centre in Dublin.

Mr Cunningham complained that Mr Lynn had deducted the fees "without prior approval" and that they were "grossly excessive and inaccurate".

The Law Society investigated the complaint in January 2004 but concluded that the complaint "did not constitute grounds to warrant intervention".

Mr Lynn co-operated with the Law Society's investigation, which lasted three days, claiming that the fees had been agreed with and approved by another director of Mr Cunningham's building group.

Last Friday Mr Cunningham issued legal proceedings against Mr Lynn, practising as Michael Lynn & Co Solicitors seeking the repayment of €817,747 and an additional sum of €70,000. The proceedings were issued through eight building companies in Mr Cunningham's group.

Mr Lynn's solicitors, PJ Walsh & Co, who are representing the solicitor in his ongoing cases against the Law Society and at least 10 financial institutions, accepted the writ on Mr Lynn's behalf.

Mr Lynn, who is originally from Mayo but who practised from offices in The Capel Building in Dublin 7, is already facing 55 sets of legal proceedings taken by financial institutions and investors.

He owes at least €70 million to more than 10 financial institutions arising from his property dealings.

The Law Society launched a second investigation into Mr Lynn in September.