A solicitor who won libel damages from the owner of the Solicitors from Hell website has filed a bankruptcy petition against him after he failed to pay damages ordered by the court.

The solicitor, from London firm Hickman & Rose, is seeking £31,105.44 from website owner Rick Kordowski. The amount comprises a damages award of £15,000, a further £15,000 awarded in costs, plus interest.

A second solicitor who won damages against Kordowski, from London firm Bhatt Murphy, will also join the action. It is understood that a third lawyer will also join it.

The bankruptcy petition, which is being brought by London firm Isadore Goldman on behalf of the solicitors, is due to be heard in Southend County Court on 7 September.

Kordowski has been sued for libel 16 times in relation to the Solicitors from Hell website, and has had more than £150,000 awarded against him in damages and costs, which he has not paid.

Last week, the Law Society’s solicitors Brett Wilson sent a letter of claim to Kordowski outlining the Society’s intention to launch a class action for defamation and harassment against him on behalf of the profession.

Kordowski has argued that his website provides a public service, pointing to the high levels of complaints against solicitors received by the Legal Ombudsman. He has denied all allegations against him.