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GAZETTE
SEPTEMBER 1992
automated system providing for
quick and comprehensive access,
updating and inspection. The system
has been extended to the Western
Region of the Land Registry (Sligo,
Roscommon, Clare, Galway and
Mayo) for folios opened after 1987.
All dealing records for these counties
are recorded on the case tracking
system. The computerised system
allows for secure multi-user access
from over 50 terminals linked via
WANGNET and FASTLAN
networks throughout the Land
Registry office.
The Land Registry system using
"PROMIS" application software
operates on a Wang VS100 processor
with 8Mb main memory and 2.2Gb
disk capacity at Setanta Centre and
a shared Wang VS100 which has
8Mb main memory and 2.5Gb disk
capacity at Aras Ui Dhalaigh. The
Setanta system is linked to the five
Western Region local offices which
use dial up facilities for search and
inquiry.
Registry of Deeds
Computerisation of the memorial
abstracts held in the Registry of
Deeds commenced in 1989 with the
development of a system operating in
a UNIX environment on a Philips
P9070 host server with 8Mb memory
and 1.2Gb disk capacity. The
application is written in Progress
4GL and managed by Progress
RDBMS as the development tool.
The new system which is now
operational allows for search and
inquiry against grantor name for
registrations made after September
1990. The system is based on data
entry of the details abstracted from
the memorials lodged for registration.
A data capture programme to enter
details of older abstracts will expand
the database and eventually
encompass sufficient records to
satisfy enquiries for standard
conveyancing searches. It is likely that
a further 11 years of abstracts will
become available in computerised
format before the end of this year. In
addition the Registry has installed a
new micro-filming system which will
provide for reading and printing of
all memorials filed from 1950 by the
end of this year.
Further developments
A major consultancy report
commissioned on behalf of the Land
Registry was completed in 1991. As a
result of this, it is probable that the
Land Registry will increase its use of
computers in the years ahead. This
should include an extension of folio
and case record computerisation to
the other regions of the Registry.
The Land Registry stores over 30,000
ordnance survey sheets. Heavy usage
of these sheets for inspection and
copying together with constant
recompilation of Registry details
means that they have an average life
span of 2 to 2Vi years before they
require revision. Given the regularity
and scale of this revision process, it
is expected that consideration will be
given to a transfer of Land Registry
mapping details to an automated
graphical format linked to the
computerised folio.
Development and expansion of the
systems in both Registries is
progressing. This will result in
speedier service and will also allow
for the possibility of introducing
some means of direct access by
practitioners to both databases.
The Technology Advisory Group is an
informal grouping of solicitors who, with
the approval of the Technology
Committee of the Law Society, seek to
promote awareness of and the use of
technology within the profession. Further
details are available from the Honorary
Secretary: John Furlong, c/o William
Fry, Solicitors, Fitzwilton House, Wilton
Place, Dublin 2.
•
C-C.R.
Legal Agents
Provide Professional and
Comprehensive Service in Castle,
Four Courts, Land Registry
and all other associated offices
Fully Indemnified
23 24 We l l i n g t on Q u a \ . D u b l in 2.
Telephone: 679 4926/7
Fax: 6794928.
Lost Property
Law Society Office
Four Courts
A quantity of lost property
has accumulated in the
Law Society's office in the
Four Courts, Dublin
(spectacles, overcoats, old
files, umbrellas etc.).
Please note that this
property will be disposed
of unless it is claimed
before Monday, 19
October, 1992. All
enquiries should be
directed to
Mary Bissett
or
Paddy Caulfield
at the
Four Courts, Telephone:
681806.
Book Reviews
(Continued from page 270)
states that the writings of the
German philosopher Hegel were of
"an intoxicating vagueness."
Translated, Hegel's ideas sound
wonderful but cannot be understood
easily. John Austin's
The Province of
Jurisprudence Determined
is
described by the author as "far from
being a monument of literature."
Translated, Austin had a poor
writing style.
Sir Edward Coke (c. 1628) wrote in
his Institutes of "the gladsome light
of jurisprudence." On the other
hand, it was Dicey (c. 1890) who
wrote that jurisprudence is a word
"which stinks in the nostrils of a
practising barrister." The pages of
history will never be lost on a
thinking lawyer. John Kelly has
written an epic work, a fascinating
history, that will stand the test of
time. It will become a basic textbook
for future generations of lawyers.
Eamonn G. Hall
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