The Gazette 1994

97 / 432

GAZETTE
N E W S
Rev i ew of t he Educat ion and
Training of Apprent i ces
James MacGuill, Chairman,
Education Advisory Committee.
The task of educating and training
future members of the profession is an
ever-challenging and onerous one. It is
necessary from time to time to step
back and review the contents of the
courses in the Law School and the
teaching methodology. The objective is
to run an efficient and effective Law
School and to ensure that apprentices
are receiving quality formation for their
future careers.
The Education Advisory Committee,
under the chairmanship of James
MacGuill, has recently set up three
working groups with a view to
producing comprehensive documents
on the following areas:
Review of Current Courses
The objective of this working group is
to review the structure and content of all
modules which are currently being
taught on the Professional and
Advanced Courses. A further objective
is to try to ensure that all courses have a
component which will deal with the
ethical and professional difficulties
which can arise in practice. This review
will seek to make the necessary link
between the Professional Course, the
Advanced Course, the Continuing Legal
Education programme and all the
specialist and regulatory committees of
the Society. New areas including non-
law subjects (for example, practice
management and computer training) will
be investigated and appropriate modules
will be developed. It is also intended to
put in place a system which will allow
for a regular review of all subjects being
taught on Law School courses.
Working Group Co-Ordinator: John
Costello, Eugene F. Collins & Son.
Teaching Methods: Training and
Support for Consultants
The objective of this working group is
to evaluate critically the various
teaching methods which are currently
employed in the Law School. Should we
give students more advanced reading?
How effective is the tutorial system?
How can we ensure more active student
participation? How can we ensure the
highest teaching standards from our
consultants and tutors? The examination
and continual assessment system will
also be reviewed.
Working Group Co-Ordinator:
Professor Richard Woulfe, Director of
Education.
Apprentice/Master Training Manual
This working group is aiming to
compile a user-friendly manual which
will be an effective tool for both master
and apprentice during the in-office
training period.
This manual will set out a training
schedule which will cover all the major i
areas of practice and which will indicate
the type of work apprentices should be
exposed to in the course of their
apprenticeship, the level of responsi-
bility appropriate at each stage and a
method for evaluating the training being
received. It will provide a barometer for
both master and apprentice of the work j
experience which should be achieved at
each stage of the apprenticeship. If there
is a clear lack of exposure in particular
areas this can be identified in advance
and the master and apprentice could
make alternative arrangements to cover
any lacuna. This manual will
incorporate standard documentation
including the apprenticeship deed and
the memorandum and undertaking of
the master. It will also include reading
lists, alternative career possibilities and
a help section.
Working Group Co-Ordinator: James
MacGuill.
Readers will recognise that the task of
such a comprehensive review as
outlined above is a complex and
challenging one. We would invite you
to put forward your views on any or all
of the above directly to the co-ordinator
of each of the working groups or, by
sending your written contribution to
Harriet Kinahan, Education Officer,
Law School, Rlackhall Place. •
I R I S H
D O C U M E N T
E X C H A N G E
English Agents: Agency work
undertaken for Irish solicitors in
both litigation and non-contentious
matters - including legal aid. Fearon
& Co., Solicitors, Westminster
House, 12 The Broadway, Woking,
Surrey GU21 5AU.
.
Fax: 1
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