598 / 736
always been obeyed. I don't know of a labour
law case where a trade union official has been
sent to prison for refusing to obey an injunction",
he said.
(Daily Telegraph,
2nd December, 1970).
STUDENTS GIVE THEIR TIME
TO HELP OTHERS
Students throughout the world are among the
groups more actively concerned with social prob
lems.
Such is the case in Cork, where law students
have set up a Free Legal Advisory Bureau, and
every Wednesday night, in Tuckey Street, they
are in attendance between 7.30 and 9.30.
Six
such bureaux are operated by law students in
Dublin.
The Cork bureau was set up primarily to give
legal advice to those who cannot afford it. Some
people dislike the idea of going to a solicitor,
and the students find that some people come to
them more readily than to a qualified professional
man.
Since its inception over a year ago, the bureau
has had only 50 clients, and the students would
like to see many more coming in. Leaflets were
handed out after Masses
in
selected churches
in Cork city last Sunday in an effort to publicise
the service.
All the students can do, however, is to advise
people of their rights. If they feel that somebody
has a legitimate case they advise that person to
see a solicitor. They also advise people about
the pension and welfare benefits to which they
are entitled.
The Southern Law Association has supplied
the students with a panel of solicitors whom they
can consult if they are in any difficulty.
The
advisory panel
in Tuckey Street
is normally
made up of second and third year students. Most
law students are apprenticed to solicitors, and at
this stage of their training are fairly familiar
with legal routine.
To date, the majority of cases dealt with have
been matrimonial; for example, where wives are
being ill-treated by their husbands, not being prop
erly supported and so on. They have also dealt
with one or two cases of wills.
The procedure in Tuckey Street is that when
a client comes in he is met by three students
who interview him and take notes. The students
always consult a qualified solicitor before giving
advice.
Certain rules are rigidly applied and while the
service is primarily for poor people, a means test
is not laid down. Anonymity of the client is pre
served and money is not accepted under any cir
cumstances.
The students have contacted parish priests,
church ministers, T.D.'s and social workers, and
get some referred cases. They feel that one of
the main problems is that when people are brought
before a Court on criminal charges they are fre
quently unable to decide whether to opt for trial
by jury or to elect for summary trial. The students
feel that advice on this point could be of benefit
to many accused.
Mr. Frank Daly, of the Southern Law Asso
ciation, says that the Association wholeheartedly
approves of the scheme. He feels that the students
are doing a fine job, but it is disheartening that
they have had so few clients.
(The Cork Examiner,
30th Nov., 1970).
EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS
Mr. Desmond McAllister, Registrar of Deeds
and Titles has held an exhibition of paintings in a
new exhibition gallery in Kiely's Lounge, Donny-
brook in December. The exhibition was opened
by the well-known sculptor Mr. Edward Delaney.
Mr. McAllister has had two one man exhibitions
in the Brown Thomas Gallery. He has exhibited
regularly with the Irish Water Colour Society and
the Baggotrath Group. Apart from these artistic
activities, Mr. McAllister has completed a book
on "Registration of Title in Ireland" which is due
for publication in 1971.
JUDGE
SUGGESTS
NEW LAW
TO
SAVE
LIBERTY
A modern Bill of Rights may be needed to
prevent the gradual erosion of individual liberty,
Sir Cyril Salmon, a senior Lord Justice of Appeal,
said last night. Delivering the Haldane Memorial
lecture at London University, he said the statute
should "lay down our basic freedoms".
It would provide for the preservation of basic
freedoms and enact that it could not be repealed
save, say, by a 75 per cent, majority of both
Houses of Parliament.
He said this would not ensure that those seek
ing to overthrow individual liberty would fail, but
it would greatly reduce their chances of success.
Sir Cyril's remarks should add considerable
140