The Gazette 1993

JUNE 1993

P R E S I D E N T 'S

M E S S A G E

GAZETTE

The Law Society is here to help you . . .

profession seeking to establish fundamental rights and important principles pertaining to the profession. • Most recently, the Society, in attempting to defend the public against unacceptable legislative developments, has lead a campaign against the imposition of a probate tax in the 1993 Finance Bill. • The Society is currently campaigning against the proposal by the Minister of State for Commerce and Technology, Seamus Brennan TD, to cap the level of personal injuries compensation. From the foregoing it will, 1 hope, be accepted that the Council, its Committees and the staff of the Society seek diligently to comply with their various obligations, well appreciate the problems facing the profession, are attempting to further its interests, and endeavour to be of assistance to individual members. Although the Society communicates regularly with members through the Gazette and by means of individual letters as the occasion demands, not all members seem to be aware of the work being done on their behalf. I am working to increase this awareness and thereby improve the relationship between the Society and the ordinary member so that such member can, as a first step towards the solution of a particular difficulty, seek help and assistance from the Society. Based on its experience and network system, involving a wide cross- section of the profession, the Society will be in a position to respond in accordance with its commitment that the Law Society is there to help you.

I have recently heard it jokingly said that the three greatest current lies are, (1) the cheque is in the post, (2) I will feel the same about you in the morning and (3) the Law Society is there to help you. The reason why some may enjoy this story is that, while the Law Society is, of course, there to be of assistance to members of the profession, sadly, some members believe otherwise. I am most anxious to correct this inaccurate perception and to ensure that members fully realise the work carried out by the Law Society in furthering the well- being of the profession and are support- ive of the Society in its endeavours. The Society has two areas of duty. The first is to comply fully with its statutory obligations to regulate the profession and to safeguard the public interest. The second is to promote the interests of the profession and to help practitioners deal practice. The Society seeks to perform both roles and to provide an extensive service in a number of ways. • A number of Committees, drawn from the Council, but in some cases containing non-Council members, deal monthly with problems referred to them by the profession and issue appropriate advice and guidance to individual members and to the profession as a whole. • The Library provides an excellent research and support service to members. • Continuing Legal Education courses continue to be up-graded and expand- ed with a view to assisting members improve their competence and expertise, particularly in niche areas. • Practice Management courses and seminars will begin in the Autumn to assist members in the running of their practices. • Remuneration and Costs seminars are with the difficulties and problems experienced by them in everyday

Raymond Monalian being planned to assist members assess the cost of running their practices, and to ensure that their approach to fee charging is realistic having regard to overhead costs and the need to provide themselves with a reasonable return on their work. • The Society has worked with great commitment and determination to secure over 100 amendments to the proposed Solicitors Bill to safeguard the interests of the profession and continues to campaign against the proposal to allow conveyancing and probate work to be performed by others not qualified to do it. • The Society is reviewing its overall policies in regard to education and its obligations under the Compensation Fund. • The Society is seeking improvements in, and proper resources for, the whole system of the administration of justice (this will be the subject matter of a forthcoming submission to Government). • The Society is lobbying for the introduction of a comprehensive system of civil legal aid. • Recently, the Society has supported and subvented court proceedings by or on behalf of members of the

•

Raymond T. Monahan, President.

SURVEILLANCE Discreet Listening and Recording Equipment Telephone For 1993 Catalogue Pegasus (01)2843819

167