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GAZETTE
SEP
T
EM
BER 1976
2.1 The year under review was a continuation of the work initiated by the Council in previous years
COUNCIL
a n
d '
s
gratifying to be able to record satisfactory progress in most areas and achievement of our targets.
2.2 The Law Society's new headquarters at Blackhall Place will shortly reach the stage when the
administration of the Society will move to its new abode. There is just one final difficulty awaiting
solution, namely the provision of telephones. As will be seen from the report of our energetic Premises
Committee, stage 2 of the development is well in hand which makes provision for students and the
accommodation of the members. Our professional advisers have been most helpful and co-operative
and have devoted a great deal of time and effort to the solution of the many difficulties and problems
arising in the adaptation of the development in order to cater for our special requirements.The financing
of the development and adaptation of the building for our special purposes has been given consideration
in detail and in depth both by the Policy Committee and Finance Committee of the Council, and in this
area we are indebted to Mr. W. Osborne who is our current Chairman on the Finance Committee.
2.3 Our Educational and Student requirements are areas of particular complexity at the present time
because of the transition from the old to the new system and procedures so vitally necessary in consequence
thereof. The increasing number seeking entry into the profession, the provision of facilities at University
level and at other levels in order to achieve realistic inflow and to man proper standards are problems
requiring special attention. Special mention must be made of the work undertaken and achieved by the
Education Committee and the Advisory Sub-Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. John Buckley.
2.4 The enquiry into Solicitors' remuneration initiated by the National Prices Commission will it is
understood be available for consideration by the Council and other interested parties in the form of an
occasional paper published by the N.P.C. The Consultant appointed by the Commission, Professor
Denis Lees has it is understood made and presented his report, and naturally further comment and
submissions must await the availability of this Report and the occasional Paper promised by the
Commission.
2.5 The provision of Civil Legal Aid is still the subject of consideration by the Committee appointed
for that purpose by the Minister for Justice under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice Pringle. Criminal
Legal Aid was brought into operation by the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act, 1962, and
in pursuance of the Regulations made under this Act, Criminal Legal Aid became operative in a very
limited way as and from the 1st April, 1965.
2.6 Many difficulties arose in connection with the provision of services due to a withdrawal by members
of the Bar from all Criminal Legal Aid cases,thereby placing a heavy responsibility on those Solicitors,
members of the current Legal Aid Panel,who undertook to provide services on the basis of an interim
increase suggested by the Prices Commission pending the Report in this area by a Committee specially
appointed by the Minister for Justice as a result of representations by the Society. In the meantime,
there has been an amelioration of the situation whereby the fees payable to defendng Counsel are placed
on a parity with the fees paid to prosecuting Counsel. As a result of representations and due to the good
offices of the Minister, Solicitors acting as advocates are also on a parity with prosecuting Counsel
under and by virtue of The Criminal Legal Aid Amendments Regulations 1976 (No. 236 of 1976). There
are many problems from the Society's point of view still to be resolved, but no progress can be made
pending the publication of the Prices Inquiry Report. When it is available the whole question of remunera-
tion both on the Criminal and Civil side will be urgently pursued and placed, it is hoped, on an acceptable
and realistic basis.
2.7 The Society's new form of Contract has already been made available, and the new Requisitions on
Title are in an advanced stage of completion, and it is hoped to have them available early in the New Year.
The Committee is also considering the publication of precedents for the leasing of flats and ancillary
documents acceptable to lending Insitutions and the structures necessary to create an acceptable and
viable Scheme.
2.8 A further Committee is also sitting and dealing in depth with the whole question of Solicitors'
Undertakings.
2.9 On the International side, the implementation of a draft Directive making provision for limited
service by Lawyers in the member States has had the active consideration of the E.E.C. and International
Affairs Committee dealing with these matters.
2.10 On the Parliamentary side there has been considerable activity particularly in relation to the
following legislation: the Family Home Protection Bill; the Mergers, Take-overs and Monopolies
Control Bill; the Building Societies' Bill; the contemplated Landlord and Tenant Consolidation Bill;
the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill; the Emergency Powers Bill; the Anti-Discrimination
(Unfair Dismissals) Bill; the Consumer Information Bill and the Town Planning Bill, to mention a few.
2.11 The vexed problem of Professional Indemnity Insurance has also been engaging the urgent atten-
tion of the Council and comprehensive realistic proposals will be explored and negotiated in the interests
of the Profession. It is hoped that such proposals will be acceptable to the vast majority of our members.
2.12 Progress has also been made in the provision of a growing fund for Pensions and Superannuations.
The results are satisfactory and the Scheme is receiving good support.
Patrick C. Moore
President
Bruce St. J. Blake,
Gerald Hickey,
Vice-Presidents
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