His representatives will have until the end of the month to fine-tune their response to BDO’s writ under legal rules.

‘You have 14 days to acknowledge that the writ has been served against you and a further 14 days to present a defence or a counterclaim,’ said Richard Blann of City law firm Norton Rose.

BDO served a writ against Waterman last month alleging that his companies owed the mid-tier firm £525,000 in unpaid fees and interest, but the producer is gearing up to deliver his counter strike.

If the deadline is missed his lawyers will have to apply for an extension from the courts. ‘This matter is now in the hands of the lawyers,’ said a spokeswoman.