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6. Court Offices and Costs
Gerald Hickey, Chairman. Walter Beatty, William
M. Cahir, Francis J. Lanigan, Gerald J. Moloney,
J. Desmond Moran, John C. O'Carroll, Roderick J.
O'Connor, Thomas E. O'Donnell,
John A.
O'Meara, Moya Quinlan, Robert McD. Taylor.
7. Court of Examiners
Peter D. M. Prentice, Chairman, Desmond J.
Collins, John B. Jermyn, J. Desmond Moran,
James W. O'Donovan.
The President, Vice-Presidents and immediate
past President as members ex-officio of each
Committee except numbers 1 and 2.
PRECEDENT BANK AND COPYING
SERVICE
On a report from the Public Relations and Ser
vices Committee the Council decided to place an
order for the IBM Magnetic Tape machine with
a view to establishing a precedent and copying
service for members. A questionnaire form was
sent out with the November issue of the Society's
Gazette asking members to supply information as
to the type of documents most frequently prepared
in their offices with a view to enabling the com
mittee to select suitable forms for storing on
tapes- Members who received this form are asked
to return it with the information requested in the
greatest possible detail.
Office Survey
A questionnaire was issued to 40% of the pro
fession selected on a random basis asking for
information which would enable the Council to
prepare information and figures for use at the
anticipated inquiry by the Fair Trades Commision
regarding
solicitors'
remuneration
and
other
matters. ^Of 336 offices who received this question
naire 122 or 36.5% of the sampled offices have
replied to date. Offices who received the question
naire and have not returned it are asked to do so
without delay as the validity of the conclusions
to be drawn from the survey depends upon an
adequate response—at least 70%. The question
naire form should be returned direct to Cooper
Brothers & Co., Fitzwilton House, Wilton Place,
Dublin 2.
ADMISSION CEREMONY
Thirty one newly qualified solicitors were pre
sented with their parchments by the President,
Mr. Eunan McCarron, in the Library in Solicitors'
Buildings, on Wednesday, 3rd December 1969.
The President, addressing
the newly qualified
solicitors and their friends, said:—
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My year of office as Presilent of the Society comes
to an end next week and it is a great pleasure for
me that my last official function should be this
admission ceremony. This is always a happy occa
sion for all concerned. It is a proud day for
parents and friends, a memorable day for the sons
and daughters who have received their parch
ments, and a most pleasant day for me and for
Council members who are here to welcome our
new colleagues
I know I speak on behalf of the entire profession
when I say that we are all ever ready and willing
to help the new practitioner—provided of course
that he does not make it too obvious that he wants
to teach us our business, however well qualified
he may be in fact to do so.
The profession will also rejoice because new
Solicitors are required in many offices especially
in rural areas. Because of the lack of reciprocity
with our neighbours it is pleasant to know that
there are adequate openings in this country just
now for young Solicitors not only in private prac
tice but also in the commercial world and the
Government Services. There is a growing aware
ness in business circles that a young Solicitor is
well fitted for many an executive post, particularly
in large companies and in quasi state organisations.
There is indeed a great need for Solicitors in
certain of
the Government Departments
for
example in the Land Registry. Salary scales are,
I understand, under review in the Land Registry
and posts there may now become more attractive.
If our profession is to withstand inroads on what
we once considered to be our own preserves we
may be ourselves well able to do something about
this if we have the energy and inclination. We
should endeavour to keep up to date particularly
in the field of estate conservation and manage
ment, company transaactions including take over
procedures, tax laws and town planning.
As you probably know some law students have
recently established several bureaux in Dublin in
order to provide free legal aid for the poorer
section of the community. It is also hoped to open
a bureau in Cork in the immediate future. My
Council is most anxious to solicit support from its
members to help the excellent work being done
by the students and I would ask you newly admit
ted Solicitors to offer your services. The Secretary
will give full information upon request and you
might note that the Society is publishing a booklet
on the Social Welfare Code recently written by a
member of the Council- This booklet should be
studied by all especially those who may serve
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