The Gazette 1996

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1996

GAZETTE

Professional Guidance Committee

such as motions to remit actions to the High Court, motions for discovery and motions to join a third party. Appeals from decisions of the County Registrars will lie to the Circuit Court.

Professional Purposes Committee Renamed

Members of the Professional Guidance Committee were delighted that the President renamed their committee, formerly the Professional Purposes Committee. This follows a recommendation of the Review Working Group. The new name more accurately reflects the services provided and is more user friendly.

Territorial Jurisdiction of the District Court

The Act rationalises the territorial jurisdiction of judges of the District Court. At present, an accused person before the District Court may only be tried in the District Court district where he or she lives or was arrested or where the offence was committed. This obviously has given rise to inefficiencies and unnecessary costs. Section 41 of the Act allows for much greater flexibility in the hearing of criminal eases by judges of the District Court to allow for the trial ot an offence and the processing of other matters by any judge of the District Court in any District Court in certain circumstances. The Courts and Court Officers Act, 1995 constitutes a significant legislative measure which is ot considerable importance to practitioners. Practitioners are advised to obtain a copy of the Act. The Act costs £6 with £0.48 extra for postage and is available from Government Publication, Postal Trade Section, 4 Harcourt Road, Dublin 2. ^ Conclusion

The Committee is not a disciplinary committee.

The services provided by the committee are as follows:-

Niall Casey

New Telephone Queries 1994/1995

1. Guidance for members in matters of professional practice and conduct is provided by means of a telephone helpline and response to written enquiries. 2. The committee seeks to obtain a satisfactory resolution to problems and disputes arising between solicitor colleagues and between solicitors and other professionals. 3. The committee will provide a me d i a t or if this will assist the resolution of a dispute. 4. The committee monitors and develops policy on matters of practice and conduct. The committee meets once a month. The committee is supported by the committee secretary who is a solicitor and who deals in the first instance with all enquiries received. While the work of the committee under its old name was relatively unknown, it has over the years provided an invaluable service to very many members. The statistics demonstrate this. New Written Queries 1994/1995 1993/1994 333 324

1993/1994

348

317

The Committee members look forward to developing the services provided to ensure that the necessary support is available for members.

Chairman, Niall Casey Vice Chairman, Michael Richard Barrett Brendan G. Bradley Fionnuala Breen-Walsh

Carroll

Martin A. Harvey Michael Irvine Carmel Killeen Stephen Maher Hugh O 'NeilI

I R I S H D O C U M E N T E X C H A N G E

Secretary, Therese Clarke

n

OV E RN I GHT - EVERY N I GHT E V E R YWHE RE

PETROCARGO MANNE SURVEYORS IJD. Capt. Thomas C. Nash M. INST. PET. Marine Consultancy; Independent Marine Surveyors; Vessel & Terminal Safety Inspection; Recruitment; Procedures Manuals. Cooleen House, Rushbrooke, Cobh, Co. Cork. Tel: 021-811677 Fax: 021-813009 Marine Expert Witness; Ship to Ship Transfer;

Now ove r n i ght t h r o u g h o ut I reland- No r t h a nd Sou th

37 Fcnmn Street, Dublin 2 Tel; 01 676 4601 Fnx: 01 676 7093 DX I Dublin