Forty-two year old Damien McDaid, from Templemore in Derry, denied a total of 61 charges when he appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Friday.

Mr McDaid is accused of sending falsified documents to the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission, now known as the Legal Services Agency NI, over an 18-month period from July 2010 to January 2012.

He denied all the charges of him falsely claiming payment for hours never worked.

The court heard that Mr McDaid is waiting to instruct a forensic accountant after they have obtained Legal Aid authority.

Mr Justice Treacy listed the case to be reviewed again in January 2017 when he wishes to be in a position to fix a date for the trial.

Mr McDaid was released on continuing bail.