680 / 736
Mr. McGrath advocated a revival of the con
cept of the Natural Law as the fundamental
principle of, and final authority for, all human
positive law. In mediaeval Europe, the English
common law remained for many years the chief
citadel of the Natural Law. Due, however, to the
growth
of
religious,
political
and
economic
individualism,
this concept became gradually
undermined,
and
a
shallow
and
improvised
rationalism took the place of the objective values
of the Natural Law. English legal philosophy be
came based on experience.
The industrial revolution changed
the social
and economic fabric of society and the focus of
legal change shifted. Bentham, the prophet of
laissez-faire, urged that men must be free to
exploit the supposedly infinite resources of nature
on a competitive basis, and law should aid by
removing all obstacles to freedom of contract
As history has shown, difficulty was experienced
in the realisation of this proposition. The demand
for the conservation of resources, problems of
health,
competition
in
labour,
the urge
for
economic efficiency and the need for capital trans
cending individual resources, led to the entry of
the State into economic enterprise transforming
law from being a directive force to an instrument
of social control.
Neither
the
subjective
test of
the amoral
'reasonable' man, nor the scientific examination
of laws as they exist here and now, nor the factual
study of social conditions can provide a satis
factory test of the extent to which law conforms
to its ultimate purpose and final end. Only a
philosophy of law which leads to the understand
ing of its true nature, the source of its obligatory
character and the essential and intrinsic difference
between right and wrong can adequately protect
law from error. The Natural Law is the great
bulwark of human liberty and the most potent
weapon against the extremes of individualism
and State absolutism.
TRAINING IN COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the profession in the course of their
professional
life, or in connection with other
interests, may be invited to appear on television
or in radio presentations. The majority are aware
that the standard techniques of public speaking
do not apply to either of these media and some
specialist training is necessary. Facilities for this
training are being widely used
in
industry, by
trade unions and by the clergy.
To provide similar facilities for solicitors the
Society is planning a course at the Communica
tions Centre, Booterstown, Dublin. This is ex
pected to be a five night practical course (three
hours per night) and the fee will be £10, payable
by the member through the Society. The course
will be limited to 30 participants. Members who
are interested in this development are asked to in
form the Secretary as soon as possible in order
that arrangements may be completed.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES SOLICITORS
ASSOCIATION
The Annual General Meeting of this Associa
tion will be held on Friday, 2nd April, 1971
at
2.45 p.m.
in Solicitors Buildings, Four Courts,
Dublin. The Association represents whole time
salaried solicitors in the local government service
and pre-cepting bodies.
REGISTRY OF DEEDS
Parchment no longer necessary
Following
representations
from
the Council
as to the inconvenience caused by the difficulty
in obtaining parchment for memorials and re
quisitions for negative searches the Minister for
Justice has given an immediate direction pending
the introduction of legislation later this year that
memorials and requisitions on deed paper will be
accepted in the Registry. The following letter has
been received by the Society from the Assistant
Registrar.
Further to our recent conversation, the Minister
for Justice following representations made to him
that a critical shortage of parchment exists has
authorised the use of deed paper for memorials
and applications for negative searches
in
the
Registry of Deeds. I think it is safe to assume
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