A bail hearing in for Nai Yin Xue has been adjourned in a battle over legal aid.

The 55-year-old is accused of murdering his wife An An Liu in Auckland last September, before fleeing to the United States. He is due to stand trial next year.

Xue's lawyer has accused Legal Services, which administers legal aid, of having a grudge against his client.

Chris Comeskey says his firm has not been paid for ten months. He says he is seeking bail for Xue, so he can go and get a job to start paying the bill.

Mr Comeskey says if the money is not sorted soon, he will be forced to walk away from the case.

The hearing has been postponed to give Legal Services a right of reply.