473 / 736
REFERENCE NUMBERS ON
LETTERS
Our reference: 1730/Vom/VK
Your reference:
How often do we get letters which omit the
reference of the person to whom the letter is
addressed? Surely, as members of the one profes
sion we can co-operate jn helping our colleagues.
Even if we fail to think of our colleagues, could
we not please think of our clients? The size of
firms has enlarged by amalgamations over the last
few years and it is now the experience of the
larger firms that letters can be up to twenty-four
hours unidentified through failure of the writer
to give the reference of the firm to which the letter
is addressed. This costs their colleagues time and
hence, money in
trying to identify the person
who should deal with the case and also means
that their own client's case is being delayed.
To be fair, we as a profession are not the only
offenders. Some civil servants could be awarded
the occasional Oscar for failure to quote refer
ences.
Please try to think of your colleague and your
own client.
FUSION
Report from the Council to the Committee on
Court Practice and Procedure.
1.
Full fusion as such is not advisable or in the
interests of the general litigant at the present
time.
2.
There should be a common system of pro
fessional education and qualification for all
law students.
3. A member of either branch of the profession
should be entitled to transfer from the other
branch at any time with
the minimum of
formality.
4. Discussions should be held between the In
corporated Law Society and the Honorable
Society of King's Inn with a view to pro
moting the necessary changes.
5.
The basic essentials of a common system of
professional vocational training are set forth
in the attached memorandum.
MEMORANDUM ON LEGAL,
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Incorporated Law Society of Ireland have
submitted to the Department of Justice proposals
for amendment of Part IV of the Solicitors Act
1954 with a view to creating a more flexible system
of
legal education and
training for solicitors
having regard to the needs of the profession and
its clients in circumstances of today. Under the
existing legislation the main features of education
and training are prescribed by statute with a
compulsory system of apprenticeship for a term
laid down by statute combined with a system of
examinations prescribed by statute and imple
mented by regulations made by the Society. The
changes which can be made in this system are
very limited. The Society have proposed as an
alternative that the entire system of education,
training and examination should be prescribed
by regulations to be made by the Society under
statutory powers. The matters to be dealt with
by regulations would include:
(a)
Service under indentures of apprenticeship
(if considered appropriate).
(b) Other practical training.
(c) Attendance at courses of
legal or other
education.
(d) The passing of examinations.
(e) Obtaining a university degree.
(f)
Being
registered
as
a
student with
the
Society.
The
legislative proposals
submitted by
the
Society to the Department include the following
additional matters.
(1) The recognition in whole or in part for the
purpose of admission
as
a
solicitor of
practical training, courses of legal or other
education and examinations by other bodies.
(2) The provision of practical training, education
and the holding of examinations jointly and
in conjunction with
the Hon. Society of
King's Inns for persons registered as students
with
the Society and the students of the
Inns on such terms as may be considered
appropriate.
(3) Reciprocal
arrangements with
the Hon.
Society of King's Inns as regards
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