HIH liquidator Tony McGrath has been given another six months to pursue individuals and companies over the insurer’s $5.3 billion collapse in 2001.

NSW Supreme Court assistant registrar Bruce How agreed to extend the validity of Mr McGrath’s November 2003 claim, which alleges negligence by more than 200 defendants, including auditors Arthur Anderson, former Australian Accounting Standards Board Chairman Keith Alfredson and HIH consulting actuary David Andersen.