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GAZETTE
JULY-AUGUST 1979
JUNE COUNCIL MEETING
PROFESSIONAL FEES FOR R.T.A.
Proceedings arising out of road accidents as agreed with
the Accident Claims Standing Committee of the
Federation of Insurers in Ireland.
1. The following are the minimum proper fees which, in
the opinion of the Society, should be accepted by a
member of the Society where written instructions are
given for:—
a) Attending a Court of Summary Jurisdiction
where a plea of guilty is to be made in
proceedings under Section 52 or 53 of the
Road Traffic Act 1961 (as amended by
Sections 50 and 51 of the Road Traffic Act
1968)
£27.00
b) Attending a Cou rt of Summary
Jurisdiction to defend any proceedings under
Section 52 of the said Act (as amended) £27.00
c) Attending a Cou rt of Summary
Jurisdiction to defend any proceedings under
Section 53 of the Act (as amended)
£35.00
d) Attending to observe such procefedings£27.00
e) Attending at a Coroner's Inquest
£21.00
2. Where a report of the proceedings is required, a
minimum fee for the report should be £20.00. A
report should contain the names of witnesses, a
summary of the evidence of each, decision of the
Court and an appreciation of the evidence on the
question of civil liability for damages.
3. Where any of the above matters are conducted in a
town other than the town where the Solicitor has his
principal office, there should be a reasonable addition
for time and travelling expenses.
4. The minimum fee does not apply in cases of
exceptional difficulty or responsibility. Reasonable
additional fees should be paid in such cases.
Postal Strike
The Council unanimously expressed its appreciation
of the services given by Pearts, Town Agents, during the
strike to the profession at large.
Irish Delegation to the CCBE
Mr. John Moloney was thanked on behalf of the
Society on completion of his term as representative of the
Society and for the tremendous work he had undertaken
during his term of office and particularly in relation to the
production of the Lawyers' Identity Card. He is being
replaced by Mr. Raymond Monahan.
Seminars
To develop the Society's continuing legal education
programme and the organisation of Symposia for the
public, the Society has appointed Mr. Patrick Quinn as
Training Officer.
JULY COUNCIL MEETING
Solicitors Remuneration
The Council was informed that the Minister for Justice
was now prepared to agree to increases in Court Costs as
follows:—
Superior Courts — Nil;
Circuit Court — 25%;
District Court — 75%.
Extreme dissatisfaction was expressed at the outcome of
the protracted inquiry by PrQfessor Lees and its
subsequent consideration over a very long period by the
National Prices Commission and the Departments of
Industry, Commerce & Energy and Justice. Eventually,
the Council approved of its representatives on the District
Court Rules Committee agreeing to the proposed
increase. It decided to defer a decision in relation to the
Circuit Court Costs.
Annual Conference
This will be held from 1st - 4th May, 1980. Mr.
Patrick O'Connor, Swinford, Co. Mayo, will be
Chairman of the Organising Committee.
Law Clerks Remuneration
Having considered an objection, the Law Clerks Joint
Labour Committee has now agreed to the proposed new
scales. These will come into force as soon as the Labour
Court promulgates the order. The Inspectorate of the
Department of Labour will be notified of the revised rates
immediately they come into force.
Seminars
A well attended Seminar on Labour law was held in
Kilkenny on 9th July for solicitors in the South East. The
guest speaker was Mr. Ercus Stewart, B.L.
Upwards of 200 attended a Seminar on Taxation
organised by the I.F.A. in Birr. Mr. Donal Binchy was
the principal speaker.
The Public Relations Committee propose organising
Symposia on Consumer Protection and the Year of the
Child in the Autumn.
Education Programme
The first group of apprentices under the new system
completed their intensive 6 months course on 27th July
and following a short leave break will be commencing
practical training in their masters' offices. It is intended
that the 18 months training period will be carefully
monitored by Professor Woulfe and his staff with a view
to improving the course in light of the experience gained.
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