The Gazette 1981

GAZETTE

JULY-AUGUST 1981

Professional Fees for Road Traffic Acts

Central Office Delays in High Court Default Judgments The Society has been in correspondence with Mr. J. K. Waldron, Registrar, as to delays in issuing default Judgments in the Central Office. The Registrar concedes that the position is, at present, very unsatisfactory. He accepts that it is taking up to eight weeks from the lodgment of Judgment sets until the signing of Judgment, but explains that the present huge backlog of work in this area is due to the steep rise in the issue of Summary Summon s es and the fact that staff members have not kept pace with that increase. The Registrar has supplied the Society with a table of figures indicating the growth in the issue of Summary Summonses since 1 9 7 6, which is set out at foot of this note. A survey of staff needs in the Central Office was carried out some months ago and it is hoped that, arising out of that survey, an extra court clerk will be assigned to the Judgments Office in the very near future. With this assistance, and with occasional overtime, it is hoped that the backlog will s o on be seen to be reducing. Period Summary Summonses Year ending 31st July issued

A new schedule of solicitors' fees for proceedings arising out of road accidents has been agreed with the Accident Claims Standing Committee of the Federation of Insurers in Ireland to apply for 12 months with effect from 1 July 1981. 1. The following are the minimum proper fees which, in the opinion of the Society, should be accepted by a member of the Society where written instructions are given for: (a) Attending a Court of Summary Jurisdiction where a plea of guilty is to be made in proceedings under Section 51(A) of the Ro ad Traffic Act 1961 (as incorporated by Section 4 9 of the Road Traffic Act 1968) and under Section 5 2 or 53 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (as amended by Sections 5 0 and 51 of the Road Traffic Act 1968) £3-2.50 (b) Attending a Court of Summary Jurisdiction to defend any proceedings under Section 51(A) of the Ro ad Traffic Act 1961 (as incorporated by Section 4 9 of the Road Traffic Act 1968) and under Section 52 of the said Act (as amended) £ 4 2 . 50 (c) Attending a Court of Summary Jurisdiction to defend any proceedings under Section 53 of the Act (as amended) £ 5 2 . 50 (d) Attending to observe such proceedings £ 3 2 . 50 (e) Attending at a Coroner's Inquest £ 3 0 . 00 2. Where a report of the proceedings is required, a minimum fee for the report should be £ 3 0 . 0 0. A report should contain the names of witnesses, a summary of the evidence of each, decision of the Court and an appreciation of the evidence on the question of civil liability for damages. 3. Where any of the above matters are conducted in a town other than the town where the Solicitor has his principle office, there should be a reasonable addition for time and travelling expenses. 4. The minimum fee does not apply in cases of exceptional difficulty or responsibility. Reasonable additional fees should be paid in such cases. All proper outlays are payable in addition to the minimum fee.

2 , 7 9 2

1976

3 , 3 07

1977

3 , 5 84

1978

3 , 2 29

1 9 79

(Postal Strike)

1 9 80

5 , 5 61

5 , 2 8 7 *

Eight Months period to end

of March 1 9 81

•About 45% increase over the same period in previous year.

MERCURY SCHOOL

ACCOMMODATION ADDRESS

TELEPHONE ANSWERING

TELEX SERVICES

DESK SPACE

SECRETARIAL SERVICES 12-13 EUSTACE STREET, DUBLIN 2 Tel: 719270 (5 lines) Telex: 30259

136