The Gazette 1992

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GA Z E T TE
N W
JUNE 1992
E S
Young Lawyers Jo i nt Conf e r ence
The Spring Conference of the
Society of Young Solicitors was this
year replaced by a highly successful
International Conference of Young
Lawyers held in Newcastle, Co.
Down on 8-10 May, 1991. The
conference was organised by the
Northern Ireland Young Solicitors
Group with participation from the
Society of Young Solicitors of
Ireland, The Younger Members
Committee of the Law Society, The
Scottish Young Lawyers Association
and The Young Solicitors Group of
England and Wales. The conference
marked a "first" in many respects.
It was the first time that an SYS
conference was held in Northern
Ireland. It was also the first time
that a Joint Conference could boast
attendance by 400 delegates from
nearly 20 countries. No fewer than
150 travelled from South of the
border while the Northern Irish
delegates numbered 123. Forty came
from England and Wales, 19 from
Scotland and the rest from as far
away as Australia, Belgium,
Denmark, France, Germany, Ghana,
Greece, India, Italy, Malaysia, The
Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway and
Spain.
With such a large contingent, it was
not surprising that the entertainment
and social events were many and
varied. Ranging from helicopter
tours of the Mourne Mountains, hill-
climbing, coach tours, golf, mini-
golf, pony trekking, tennis and
cycling to the many attractions of
the excellent leisure centre in the
hotel itself. Some of those attending
also witnessed a phenomenon
peculiar to one part of the Mourne
mountains where it was possible for
a car to roll uphill! (Contrary to
common belief, this was due to the
effects of gravity on this particular
mountain and not on those who
witnessed it).
On Friday evening, folk music was
provided in Chaplin's Bar in the
hotel followed by a disco into the
small hours. On Saturday night, an
excellent Black Tie Banquet was
enjoyed by all delegates with live
music preceding another disco for
those able to last the pace.
The weekend programme of lectures
was of a very high standard and
delegates were addressed by speakers
from several jurisdictions on topics
ranging from enforcement of
judgements to a panel on libel.
Professor Robert Black QC opened
the conference by exploring the
philosophy and structure of the 1968
Brussels Convention and the later
Conventions of Luxembourg, Lugano
and San Sebastian in 1978, 1988 and
1989 respectively. The underlying
objective was to secure free
movement of judgements throughout
the EC in Civil and Commercial
matters. Eight signatories including
Ireland have undertaken to take all
appropriate measures to implement
the San Sebastian Convention by the
end of this year while all countries
(bar four) have yet to implement the
Lugano Convention which deals with
the allocation of jurisdiction and
enforcement of judgements between
EC Member States on the one hand
and Members of the European Free
Trade Association (EFTA) on the
other.
Forum Shopping presented by
Marjorie Holmes, former barrister
and now practising as a partner in
the London Law firm of Davies
Arnold Cooper, dealt with the
practical considerations involved in
choosing the jurisdiction in which to
commence or process one's claim.
Factors which influence one's choice
are the divergences from one country
to another of personal injury awards,
court fees, time limits, limits of
liability, time to obtain an award,
costs and availability of legal aid.
This lecture highlighted the need for
harmonisation among Member States
in these areas.
The Sunday morning panel on libel
was presented by Michael Lavery
QC, Michael O'Mahony, solicitor,
McCann FitzGerald and Richard
Ingrams, former editor of Private
Eye and former columnist with the
Observer newspaper. The panel,
representing the perspectives from
the plaintiff's, defendant's and
journalist's point of view, dealt
admirably with the individual's right
to privacy versus freedom of speech.
Public benefit was examined as well
as the proportionality of the
plaintiff's award vis a vis the
"injury" suffered. Privileged
documents and statements, the
individual's reputation and defences
to libel actions were all explored. It
was generally felt that juries should
be given very clear direction on the
question of damages.
The SYS would like to express
sincere thanks to our generous main
sponsors - Investment Bank of
Ireland - who have consistently
supported our events and also to
Butterworths. Mention must also be
made of those responsible for the
SYS and YMC input to this
conference and our thanks extended
to them for their hard work in
helping to organise the weekend -
James McCourt (SYS) and Robert
Hennessy (YMC).
Details of the Autumn Conference of
the SYS will be provided in the next
issue of the Gazette.
Jennifer Blunden,
Public Relations Officer,
SYS.
English Agents: Agency work
undertaken for Irish solicitors in
both litigation and non-contentious
matters - including legal aid.
Fearon & Co., Solicitors, 12 The
Broadway, Woking, Surrey GU21 5
AU. Fax:
.
200