The Gazette 1993

GAZETTE

MIWH

NOVEMBER1993

In its short period of four years

the Tribunal has proved to be a

vast improvement on the previous

regime of appeals to the Circuit

Court.

part of the solid portion of the earth's

surface and, therefore, within the

definition of land" (judgment of 12

October, 1992). Finally we may

refer to the Telecom Eireann case

where the Company's right to instal

and operate payphones in St.

Stephen's Shopping Centre, Dublin

was deemed rateable, a Tribunal

decision which was affirmed by the

High Court (judgment of 5 October,

1992).

Conclusion

The system of first appeals to the

Commissioner, which has operated for

almost 150 years, is widely accepted

as an effective and inexpensive means

It was a case of third time lucky for

this year's Soccer Blitz, an annual

event organised by the Younger

Members Committee.

Due to the inclement nature of the

Summer weather, an outing usually

scheduled for the month of May did

not take place until 4 September and

then only after it had been postponed

on two separate occasions!

Undaunted by these difficulties,

twenty four teams entered the mixed

football competition which this year,

in an inspired departure from

tradition, was run in the form of a

round-Robin league ensuring that

every team played a least two

matches.

For the record, the winners were

Dublin Corporation Law Department

who were given a good run for their

money by the loosing finalists,

Dublin Legal Agency, but not before

of adjudication. As explained above,

there is a right of appeal from the

decision of the Commissioner to the

Valuation Tribunal. In its short period

of four years the Tribunal has proved

to be a vast improvement on the

previous regime of appeals to the

Circuit Court. Cases are heard with

minimal delay, the costs incurred are

moderate and hearings are less formal

than in a court room situation. There

is general satisfaction with Tribunal

decisions with few decisions being the

subject of appeal to a higher authority.

The requirement for a written

judgement

with reasons

is of

particular benefit in creating a body of

case law and stimulating discussion

and reflection on valuation law as a

whole.

•

*Tom O'Connor is a former

Commissioner of Valuation and

lectures at the Institute of Public

Administration.

all the participants and the many

supporters and spectators had

enjoyed a marvellous day in the sun.

The mixed doubles tennis tournament

proved to be as popular as ever, and

for those less energetic, Benny and

the Jets provided the musical

entertainment.

The day's events rounded off at a

disco in the Presidents Hall which

continued into the wee small hours.

Full credit to

Orla Coyne

for

organising everything so well and

grateful thanks to the Educational

Building Society for their continued,

very generous, sponsorship.

The Solicitors Benevolent

Association is among the charities

which receive the proceeds.

J.C.

•

Southern

Hospitality

Weekend

The Solicitors Apprentices Debating

Society of Ireland (SADSI) and The

Law Society Younger Members

Committee (YMC) jointly held a

Southern Hospitality Weekend in Cork

at the end of July. On the Friday

evening a seminar was held at The

Beamish & Crawford Hospitality Suite

on the topic "Solicitors - Alternative

Job Opportunities".

Michael Lanigan -

spoke on the possible openings for

solicitors in the music business.

John

Campbell

gave an insight into life as an

in-house solicitor in an insurance

company.

Michael Moran

outlined the

opportunities for solicitors working

with accountancy firms. The conclusion

from the seminar was that there are

opportunities available outside

mainstream practice for solicitors.

The seminar was followed by a disco at

Hourigans Bar which attracted a large

attendance.

On Saturday afternoon a mixed hockey

tournament was held at UCC

Sportsground in the Mardyke. A sunny

afternoon contributed to the enjoyment

of all.

Barry Galvin,

Cork State Solicitor,

chaired a debate on Saturday evening at

UCC entitled: "The best thing to come

out of Dublin is the road to Cork". The

speakers for the motion were:

Eamon

Harrington, Don Ryan

and

Kevin

Conway,

speaking against the motion

were:

Sean Barton, Julie Rea

and

Graham O'Hanlon.

A reception was

held in the Staff Restaurant at UCC.

A further get together for lunch on

Sunday was held at the Western Star

Pub.

Our thanks go to our various sponsors

namely: Beamish & Crawford pic;

Southern Law Association; Collins

Brooks & Associates, Solicitors;

Solicitors Financial Services, and Irish

Permanent Building Society.

Pat Casey

•

Th i rd T ime L u c ky

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