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GAZETTE
APRIL 1994
Sol i c i tors Benevol ent Assoc i at ion
Seeks Your Support
In 1992 I had the honour of being
elected Chairman of the Solicitors
Benevolent Association in succession
to
John O'Connor,
who like his
predecessors had carried out trojan
work on behalf of the Association and
instigated many practical but
necessary changes in the operation of
the Association and in the investments
on its behalf.
I was privileged, for some time prior to
my election, to have sat as a Director
of the Association and from that
experience I felt that the old adage
"there but for the grace of God go I"
was relevant. This was - and is - an
added incentive to all the Directors to
ensure that all applications for
assistance are dealt with
sympathetically and promptly. There is
a misconception abroad that all
solicitors are very well-to-do and in the
upper bracket of the financial stakes.
Practitioners themselves are well aware
of the reality of legal practice and
unfortunately in recent years it has
become quite obvious that there are
many in the profession who are finding
it considerably harder each year to earn
a worthwhile living. The reasons for
this are many and varied. The function
of the Association is to lend a hand to
those who find themselves in difficult
situations and hopefully to help them
bridge the gap, as it were, until their
particular circumstances alter for
the better.
Fact and figures can be shown to prove
any case but it is interesting to note
that in 1905 the number of persons
assisted by the Association was 60. In
1993 this figure had risen to 72, a
mere increase of 12, but the level of
assistance had increased from less than
£1,000 to in excess of £145,000
approximately in 1993. Even allowing
for all types of financial swings and
roundabouts it must be accepted that
the calls on the Association are
increasing rapidly each year.
The Association covers the entire 32
Andrew Smyth, Chairman,
Solicitors
Benevolent
Association
counties of Ireland and we receive
tremendous assistance from our
colleagues in Northern Ireland, of
whom two are Provincial Directors.
The problems are as real in the North
as in the South and the reasons for the
problems do not differ to any degree. It
is not the function of the Association to
investigate in depth the reasons why
colleagues need to apply for assistance,
however, careful consideration is given
to the factual position in each case,
with a view to ascertaining the full
level of assistance required and to
ensure at the same time that the
recipients are aware of their
entitlements from other sources.
I am pleased to say that our
investment policy, admirably carried
into effect by Bloxham Stockbrokers,
has resulted in a steady increase in the
value of these investments, thus
enabling us from time to time when it
is found necessary to do so, to dispose
of one investment or another and to
utilise the proceeds thereof to the best
advantage of the Association.
How can you help?
The obvious way of course is to
continue to make your annual
subscription to the Association and if
possible to support the golf outings
and other functions which are
arranged in various locations around
the country. Clearly, however, one
method which
could
and, may I say,
should
be utilised would be by
advising clients
to leave a charitable
bequest to the Association
in the form
which is shown overleaf. Indeed, I
would ask that individual colleagues
might seriously consider making a
personal bequest in their
own
wills to
the Association in the knowledge that
in doing so they will benefit those less
well-off than themselves and ensure in
quite a number of cases that a
reasonable level of assistance is
afforded to such colleagues and their
next of kin.
Do please give this
suggestion your serious
consideration
now.
In closing I would again like to thank
each and every member of the
profession for his/her continued
support over the years. It is very
gratifying to know that, when called
upon, the support is always
forthcoming and it makes my
position as Chairman of the
Association much easier. I would also
commend to you the efforts made by
individual Directors of the
Association on behalf of applicants
and families of applicants. One
person in particular who merits the
thanks of each and everyone of us is
Geraldine Pearse
who took over the
mantle of Secretary within the past
twelve months. She has measured up
to the high standards set by her
predecessor and it is hoped that she
will continue in her position for many
years yet.
Thank you again and do continue with
your support.
Andrew Smith
Chairman, Solicitors Benevolent
Association
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