Gardaí have been asked to inform the High Court of the steps that have been taken to find missing solicitor Michael Lynn. Mr Justice Richard Johnson will then consider whether international police forces should become involved in the search.

The Law Society yesterday secured an order suspending Mr Lynn's practising certificate. The society had not sought suspension earlier because of concerns that suspension could affect insurance cover. But it did so yesterday in the wake of Mr Lynn's insurer, AIG, telling the court last month that it was voiding his insurance.

Shane Murphy SC, for the society, said disciplinary proceedings against Mr Lynn would be brought to the next level under the society's rules.

Separately, The Irish Times has established that several banks owed money by Mr Lynn will try to seize and sell his overseas properties to repay his loans to them.

Bank of Scotland (Ireland) will take proceedings to seize UK properties owned by Mr Lynn on which the bank has security.

ACCBank, which has secured a €1.74 million judgment against Mr Lynn, intends to register its judgment in countries where Mr Lynn owns properties so it may in future be able to make a claim against them to recover its loans.

Yesterday, Mr Lynn's wife, Bríd Murphy, secured court orders requiring Bank of Scotland (Ireland) to produce documents to support her claim that the bank was negligent in providing loans to the couple to purchase Glenlion House in Howth, Co Dublin.

The bank is seeking judgment for €3.87 million against Ms Murphy arising from a mortgage advanced to the couple on Glenlion. The court heard Glenlion is to be auctioned shortly.

Mr Justice Peter Kelly will at a later stage fix a date for the hearing of proceedings to determine which of the financial institutions, or Ms Murphy, have priority claim to the proceeds of the sale.

Permanent TSB also secured a court order yesterday requiring Mr Lynn, who has estimated total liabilities of more than €80 million, to pay outstanding loans of almost €11 million.

Dealing with proceedings taken by the Law Society, Mr Justice Johnson said the Garda should be able to tell him whether the international police should be involved in the search for Mr Lynn. A warrant had been issued for Mr Lynn's arrest after he failed to turn up last month for cross-examination by the society concerning his property dealings.

Mr Murphy said he understood the Garda had taken steps to execute the warrant but Mr Lynn was not in the jurisdiction. In the meantime, the society's regulation of practice committee had decided last Friday to refer certain matters concerning Mr Lynn to the solicitors' disciplinary tribunal.

Mr Justice Johnson queried whether there had been any progress in locating Mr Lynn. "If it means getting the international police involved, then so be it."

Mr Murphy said he would see to it that the Garda was represented next week.