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GAZETTE
MARCH 1979
Activities of the Council January-
February, 1979
Law Clerks Remuneration:
In light of the reaction received from Bar Associations,
the Council decided that it would not oppose the adoption
of the revised rates of remuneration. These have since
been adopted by the Joint Labour Committee and a
notice to that effect will appear in the public press shortly.
If possible, the Labour Court will forward copies of the
proposed revised rates to solicitors' offices.
Restrictive Practices Commission Inquiry into the
Conveyancing Monopoly and Advertising by Solicitors:
The Public Relations Committee and the Conveyancing
Committee have been reviewing the position so as to
advise the Council on how it might handle the inquiry.
The matter will be fully discussed at the March meeting.
Professional Indemnity Insurance:
The operation of the existing scheme was reviewed
recently with the Society's brokers, J. H. Minet (Ireland)
Ltd. The claims experience since the scheme was
launched has been heavy and shows no indication of an
improvement. In the circumstances, the underwriter has
stated that the rates quoted for the coming year will show
a substantial increase over those in operation at present.
The matter is still under negotiation.
Solicitors' Remuneration:
Following strong representations by the President to the
Minister for Justice, the solicitor members of the
Statutory Rules Committee are now in direct discussion
with officers of the Department of Justice on the revision
of the existing fee scales.
Public Relations:
Seminars:
The Committee reported on the Seminar held
in Blackhall Place on 14th February, 1979, for members
of the I.F.A. There was an attendance of 208. In
April/May the Committee proposes organising an
Industrial Relations/Labour Law Seminar to be held in
four centres. In September it proposes holding a seminar
on Conveyancing under the direction of Mr. John Wylie.
This will be held in three centres.
The Committee reported that complaints were lodged
with the R.T.E. authorities on two occasions following
what was regarded as biased coverage.
A new leaflet entitled
"Where There Is A Will"
is now
available. Copies can be had on application to the
Society.
Finance:
The Fund Raising campaign for the Blackhall Place
Premises is being re-activated after the Christmas recess.
Commitments received at the time of going to press
amounted to £431,000, of which £235,000 had already
been received — £70,000 being in the Bond Scheme. It
will be necessary to raise a further £250,000.
At this time, when renewals fall due, particular
attention is directed to the Society's Retirement Annuity
Fund and associated schemes for life assurance and
Permanent health insurances. Interested members should
contact Mr. J. Power, Trustee Department, Bank of
Ireland, Baggot Street, Dublin 2. (Tel. 785933).
Solicitors' Affairs
The Registrars Committee has drawn the attention of the
Council to the many firms which are in arrears with their
Accountants' Certificates. The Committee is making a
particular effort to bring the position up to date. Where
satisfaction cannot be obtained quickly, the Committee
has directed that disciplinary measures should be
instituted against the firm concerned. Pressure of work on
the part of the Auditors office will not be accepted as a
reason for the non presentation of Certificates at the due
time.
The Council has approved of prosecution in the case of
one unqualified person who purported to practise as a
solicitor.
The Professional Purposes Committee has had
meetings with the medical organisations and the
Federation of Insurers on the question of charges in
respect of medical reports and the contents of such
reports. It is hoped to issue further advice to members in
the near future.
Education:
Highlight of the period under review was the official
opening of the Society's Law School, representing the
culmination of many years of work. The function is
reported on separately. For the first course, five
apprentices were awarded bursaries by the Society. In all,
73 apprentices are participating.
The second course will commence in November 1979.
Two candidates sat for the first sitting of the Final
Examination — First Part, and one passed. A catering
service is now available at lunch time for apprentices in
Blackhall Place.
Legislation:
The Parliamentary Committee is currently examining the
following Bills:—
Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Bill, 1978.
National Council for Educational Awards Bill, 1978.
Landlord & Tenant (Amendment) Bill, 1979.
It welcomes the comments of members on these and any
other Bills introduced in the Oireachtas.
The Committee is also examining recent reports of the
Law Reform Commission. Views have been submitted to
the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure and to the
Minister for Justice regarding the jurisdiction of the
District Court in family matters.
E.E.C. & International Affairs:
The Society is now participating on an experimental basis
in the deliberations of the Company Law Committee of
the Commission Consultative des Barreaux de la
Communaute Européenne.
Following on the implementation of the Directive on
the Right to give occasional services, the C.C.B.E. is now
reactivating the question of the right of establishment.
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