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GAZETTE
S A D S I N e w s
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
1994
j Compiled by Paul Lavery and
I Barbara Loftus
i
As the 110th session of SADSI draws
to a close,
Philippa Howley
and the
committee would like to thank you all
for your support during the year.
As the representative body of over
i 800 apprentices nationwide, during
the last year SADSI has represented
the views of apprentices on various
important issues ranging from the
Higher Education Grants scheme to
the Solicitors Bill and apprentice
salaries.
John Menton
represented
SADSI on the Law Society Education
Advisory Committee. John reports as
follows:
The main proposals put forward by
SADSI to this committee included:
1. Setting up a precedent bank in the
Law Society that would contain
precedent files on each area of
|
practice set out in the apprentice
;
handbook in order to allow
apprentices and practitioners alike
to have access to areas of practice
j
that they may not cover in their
j
particular office;
j 2. Heightening awareness of a
Í
Master's responsibility to pay his
apprentice in accordance with Law
Society recommendations given
that the Master has signed the
j
undertaking to do so (this
undertaking is sent with your
indentures);
3. Lobbying for a more equitable
system of grants.
The proposal for a precedent bank is
currently being considered by various
committees in the Law Society. The
j
Law Society has conducted a survey
of apprentice remuneration and is
I highlighting the responsibility of
Masters who have signed the
undertaking to pay apprentices in
accordance with the Law Society's
recommendations. Unfortunately,
whilst the Department of Education
has regularly promised changes in the
grant system, no changes have yet
been forthcoming.
In addition to addressing educational
i issues SADSI also arranged a series of
Debates and other social events:
j Debates:
The highest profile debate of the year
was the debate on the Joint
Declaration held in conjunction with
I Trinity Law Society.
Dr Chris
McGimpsey
(UUP),
Stephen O'Byrnes
\ (PD),
Jonathan Stephenson
(SDLP),
Eamon O 'Cuiv
(FF) and
Maurice
Manning
(FG) debated the merits of
the Joint Declaration and Chairman
Michael O 'Kennedy
brought the
evening to a close with his views on
the issue. The debate attracted
widespread media coverage and
featured on BBC's "Spotlight" and
"On the Record" programmes.
At the other end of the spectrum was
the recent student debate "Isn't it nice
to have a female President". The same
levels of intellect or debating skills
were not exhibited that evening, the
adjudicators deciding to give the prize
to the worst haircut rather than the
best speech! Many thanks to
Brian
Spierin
BL who was our chairman for
the evening.
Social:
Throughout the year apprentices were
given the opportunity to show
previously hidden talents. Events
included the "Poxy dress" disco in
| Monkstown RFC, the Pub Quiz and
| Pound a Pint Disco in the Bankers'
Club and, of course, the Karaoke
night. In more recent months,
] Blackhall Place played host to
SADSI's traffic light disco and a
recent post debate disco. Meanwhile,
Limerick apprentices gathered to
show their various skills. Both the
Pool Night and Pub Quiz organised by
Lorcan Tie man
were a great success.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the year
| was the gathering of over two hundred
I and fifty apprentices in the Great
1 Southern Hotel, Galway for SADSI's
' Midsummer's Ball. A great evening
was had by all apprentices who
travelled from the four corners of the
country. We had a lengthy list of
sponsors and a lot of work went into
making the evening a success.
The events of the past year could not
have taken place without the efforts
i and dedication of the committee. We
! would also like to thank the President
of the Law Society,
Michael V.
O'Mahony
, for his constant support
and encouragement during the year.
I Thanks also to the staff of the Law
Society for all their help, in particular
Alan and the bar staff for their
patience. Roll on next year!
C o m p e n s a t i on
F u n d P a y m e n t s
- N o v e m b e r ,
1 9 9 4
The following claim amounts were
admitted by the Compensation Fund
Committee and approved for payment
by the Council of the Law Society at
its meeting in November 1994.
IR£
John J. O'Reilly,
27,660.05
7 Farnham Street,
Cavan,
Co. Cavan.
Christopher Forde,
400.00
52 O'Connell Street,
Ennis,
Co. Clare.
Michael Dunne,
63/65 Main Street
Blackrock,
Co. Dublin.
i John K. Brennan,
Mayfield,
• Enniscorthy,
Co. Wexford.
•
1,186.00
1,900.90
31,146.95
385