The Gazette 1976

GAZETTE

SEP T EM BER 1976

2.1 The year under review was a continuation of the work initiated by the Council in previous years a n d ' s gratifying to be able to record satisfactory progress in most areas and achievement of our targets. 2.2 The Law Society's new headquarters at Blackhall Place will shortly reach the stage when the administration of the Society will move to its new abode. There is just one final difficulty awaiting solution, namely the provision of telephones. As will be seen from the report of our energetic Premises Committee, stage 2 of the development is well in hand which makes provision for students and the accommodation of the members. Our professional advisers have been most helpful and co-operative and have devoted a great deal of time and effort to the solution of the many difficulties and problems arising in the adaptation of the development in order to cater for our special requirements.The financing of the development and adaptation of the building for our special purposes has been given consideration in detail and in depth both by the Policy Committee and Finance Committee of the Council, and in this area we are indebted to Mr. W. Osborne who is our current Chairman on the Finance Committee. 2.3 Our Educational and Student requirements are areas of particular complexity at the present time because of the transition from the old to the new system and procedures so vitally necessary in consequence thereof. The increasing number seeking entry into the profession, the provision of facilities at University level and at other levels in order to achieve realistic inflow and to man proper standards are problems requiring special attention. Special mention must be made of the work undertaken and achieved by the Education Committee and the Advisory Sub-Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. John Buckley. 2.4 The enquiry into Solicitors' remuneration initiated by the National Prices Commission will it is understood be available for consideration by the Council and other interested parties in the form of an occasional paper published by the N.P.C. The Consultant appointed by the Commission, Professor Denis Lees has it is understood made and presented his report, and naturally further comment and submissions must await the availability of this Report and the occasional Paper promised by the Commission. 2.5 The provision of Civil Legal Aid is still the subject of consideration by the Committee appointed for that purpose by the Minister for Justice under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice Pringle. Criminal Legal Aid was brought into operation by the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act, 1962, and in pursuance of the Regulations made under this Act, Criminal Legal Aid became operative in a very limited way as and from the 1st April, 1965. 2.6 Many difficulties arose in connection with the provision of services due to a withdrawal by members of the Bar from all Criminal Legal Aid cases,thereby placing a heavy responsibility on those Solicitors, members of the current Legal Aid Panel,who undertook to provide services on the basis of an interim increase suggested by the Prices Commission pending the Report in this area by a Committee specially appointed by the Minister for Justice as a result of representations by the Society. In the meantime, there has been an amelioration of the situation whereby the fees payable to defendng Counsel are placed on a parity with the fees paid to prosecuting Counsel. As a result of representations and due to the good offices of the Minister, Solicitors acting as advocates are also on a parity with prosecuting Counsel under and by virtue of The Criminal Legal Aid Amendments Regulations 1976 (No. 236 of 1976). There are many problems from the Society's point of view still to be resolved, but no progress can be made pending the publication of the Prices Inquiry Report. When it is available the whole question of remunera- tion both on the Criminal and Civil side will be urgently pursued and placed, it is hoped, on an acceptable and realistic basis. 2.7 The Society's new form of Contract has already been made available, and the new Requisitions on Title are in an advanced stage of completion, and it is hoped to have them available early in the New Year. The Committee is also considering the publication of precedents for the leasing of flats and ancillary documents acceptable to lending Insitutions and the structures necessary to create an acceptable and viable Scheme. 2.8 A further Committee is also sitting and dealing in depth with the whole question of Solicitors' Undertakings. 2.9 On the International side, the implementation of a draft Directive making provision for limited service by Lawyers in the member States has had the active consideration of the E.E.C. and International Affairs Committee dealing with these matters. 2.10 On the Parliamentary side there has been considerable activity particularly in relation to the following legislation: the Family Home Protection Bill; the Mergers, Take-overs and Monopolies Control Bill; the Building Societies' Bill; the contemplated Landlord and Tenant Consolidation Bill; the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill; the Emergency Powers Bill; the Anti-Discrimination (Unfair Dismissals) Bill; the Consumer Information Bill and the Town Planning Bill, to mention a few. 2.11 The vexed problem of Professional Indemnity Insurance has also been engaging the urgent atten- tion of the Council and comprehensive realistic proposals will be explored and negotiated in the interests of the Profession. It is hoped that such proposals will be acceptable to the vast majority of our members. 2.12 Progress has also been made in the provision of a growing fund for Pensions and Superannuations. The results are satisfactory and the Scheme is receiving good support.

COUNCIL

Patrick C. Moore President Bruce St. J. Blake, Gerald Hickey,

Vice-Presidents

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