The Gazette 1996

GAZETTE

JULY 1996

purchasers from attorneys which have now been replaced by Section 18 of this Act referred to above. Section 17 updates the position regarding the execution of general Powers of Attorney (formerly Section 46 of the Conveyancing Act, 1881). Section 21 updates the position regarding attested copies (formerly Section 48 of the Conveyancing Act, 1881), by providing that a Power of Attorney may be proved by a production of a solicitor's certified copy of the original. It is still optional to deposit the original Power of Attorney in the Central office. Conclusion: Finally, the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Mervyn Taylor , who introduced this Bill and his departmental officials, are to be congratulated for producing this Act, which is more progressive then the equivalent English legislation, i.e. the Enduring Powers of Attorney Act, 1985. It should also be noted that the Minister and his officials also took on board many amendments suggested by The Law Society and the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association. The legislation follows a report of the Law ReformCommission LRC 31 of 1989. One minor defect, is that the new legislation creating EPAs, does not extend to matters relating to the donor's healthcare, i.e. decisions regarding medical treatment being carried out on the donor. It is to be hoped that the Act will be reviewed in a few years' time, when any necessary amendments could be made, including the provision for healthcare decisions. * John Costello is a solicitor with Eugene F. Collins and is the Chairman of the Taxation Committee. •

Setting up in Practice Seminar

Some of the participants who attende the recent Setting Up in Practice seminar

another. The seminar covered the creation of a business plan, the commercial reality of thefirst years in practice, fees, marketing, client care and professionalism. The Law Society Council has passed a Resolution to the effect that such courses should become compulsory for all solicitors setting up in practice or entering partnership for thefirst time. Regulations are currently being drafted to implement this decision. • occasion that a representative from the Law Society attended a Young Bar Conference in Luxembourg and I received very generous hospitality. The President of the Luxembourg Young Bar, Guy Loesch attended the recent SYS Conference in Galway and told me that he had really enjoyed it. Overall the conference was very successful and I met a number of lawyers from Luxembourg. Belgium. Holland and France who are keen to develop links with young lawyers in Ireland.

The sixth Setting Up in Practice Seminar was held in the Law Society at Blackhall Place on Friday, 17 May, 1996. The seminar, which was organised by the Practice Management Committee, was attended by 19 participants. The objective of the seminar was to highlight to participants the importance of actively managing all aspects of their practice and also to put solicitors who are at the same stage of their career development in contact with one The programme for this conference included a most informative lecture on the internet and the various legal problems posed by this technology, e.g. crime on the internet/pornography, copyright issues, advertising. It was explained that the legislators in various jurisdictions are examining how best to deal with these issues. There was a Gala Banquet on the Friday evening which was also attended by the more senior members of the Luxembourg Bar. The programme on Saturday included a guided tour of the older parts of the city and an African Art Exhibition. I believe that this was the first

Conference du Jeunne Barreau - Luxembourg 14/15 June 1996

Solicitors Confidential Helpl ine JUST CALL 284 84 84

Robert Hennessx, Younger Members

Committee

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