Solicitor Michael Lavelle has issued High Court proceedings against his long-time colleague in the firm of Lavelle Coleman, David Coleman.

The proceedings were initiated on Wednesday and the defendants include Mr Coleman’s wife, Anne.

Mr Coleman said yesterday that the proceedings were not connected with the law practice and concerned a private matter. He would not comment further on them. Mr Lavelle could not be contacted yesterday.

The solicitors are involved in negotiations to split the Lavelle Coleman firm but the High Court proceedings are not connected to this, Mr Coleman said. He added he and Mr Lavelle had decided to part ways several months ago and they were having internal and private discussions which he expected would have a positive outcome.

He said the firm was operating as normal and that the interests of clients would at all times be paramount. He added that business was going well.

Solicitor Marc Fitzgibbon also has a share in the firm, which was established in 1987.