The Gazette 1984

INCORPORATED LAW SOCIETY OF IRELAND GAZETTE

September 1984

Vol. 78 No. 7 In this issue . . . Comment

Comme nt . . .

. . . Continuing Legal Education

183

Schools' Liability for Negligence Part II

185

M ANDATORY Continuing Legal Education moves closer to Ireland on the 1st August 1985 when the new requirements of the Law Society of England and Wales take effect. Every solicitor who is admitted in that jurisdiction after that date will be required to attend certain post admission courses during their first 3 years in practice. Some of the courses, such as those in office management and efficiency and professional conduct, will be compulsory; others will be optional, a solicitor being required to attend a certain number of courses from a choice of 14 different topics. An interesting feature of this development is that there is a strong element of "topping up" involved. The new proposals are seen as being complementary to the pre- qualification training programme. It says much for the sense of responsibility of the trainee solicitors that they have apparently seen the proposals as a valuable or necessary addition to their training rather than an additional imposition. The new scheme does, however, beg the important question of how Continuing Legal Education can cope with the frequently perceived problem of the once competent lawyer who has been overtaken by the increasing complexity of our legal system and the pressures of running a practice. It is those in practice for 23, not 3, years who may be most in need. No topic in the field of Legal Education has given rise to more debate in recent years than Mandatory Continuing Legal Education. A number of States in the United States introduced it but the spread seems to have halted at 13 States. Interestingly enough some of those who are most vehemently opposed to its introduction have been the educators. Far from seeing Mandatory CLE as a golden opportunity for empire building they have argued that the presence at courses of those who are there only because they have to be there will seriously dilute the educational value of the courses. There is no doubt that in any courses of a workshop nature or which otherwise require participation of the audience the presence of people who are there unwillingly would be counter-productive. Nonetheless there is a very real dilemma to be faced. How is the person who rarely if ever participates in any formal or informal Continuing Legal Education but who may be the person most in need of such further education to be persuaded of its necessity? A further argument raised by those who are opposed to Mandatory CLE is that they believe that Mandatory CLE in specialised subjects is likely to lead to a demand by those who have attended such courses to be entitled to

Donatio Mortis Causa: a Review and Update . . .

189

Prospects for the young Solicitor in the Profession •

193

Book Review

195

For your Diary

197

Medico Legal Society

199

Flac

19

Crossword

199

Michaelmas Law Term Annual Services

200

Technology Committee Notes

201

Solicitors' Accounts Regulations 1984

201

Mayo Solicitors' Bar Association

201

Professional Information

202

Executive Editor: Mary Buckley Editorial Board:

William Earley, Chairman John F. Buckley Gary Byrne Charles R. M. Meredith Michael V. O'Mahony Maxwell Sweeney

Advertising:

Liam O hOisin, Telephone 305236

Printing: Turner's Printing Co. Ltd., Longford The views expressed in this publication, save where other-wise indicated, are the views of the contributors and not necessarily the views of the Council of the Society. The appearance of an advertisement in this publication does not necessarily indicate approval by the Society for the product or service advertised. ABC Membership has been approved pending first audit

for the period July to December 1984. Published at Blackhall Place, Dublin 7.

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