A former bankrupt tennis coach accused of running a cult and financially exploiting his followers has been ordered by a Supreme Court judge to provide tax returns and other financial records including donations and bequests.

Serge Benhayon, 54, who claims he is a reincarnation of Leonardo da Vinci and Pythagoras among others, runs a multi-million dollar operation, Universal Medicine clinic, on five acres of land on the outskirts of Lismore in northern NSW.

Serge Benhayen, founder of the Lismore-based Universal Medicine, is suing over claims he runs a cult and exploits his followers. Credit:Janie Barrett

The self-styled spiritual healer who uses a "hands-on complementary healing technique” called “Esoteric Healing” is suing a former client Esther Rockett for defamation.

On her blog site “Universal Medicine Exposed,” Ms Rockett has accused Mr Benhayon of being a sexual predator who has made false claims about his healing abilities, a court has heard.