The Gazette 1949-1952

limited by guarantee, for the purpose o f undertaking

indemnity insurance o f solicitors against liability

by negligence. The matter was considered by a

Committee o f the Council with a view to seeing

whether it is a practical proposition. Obviously,

unless the Society could provide better facilities and

cheaper insurance than Lloyds Underwriters, who

undertake most o f the work at present, it would

hardly be worth while going to the trouble of

setting up a scheme. Something would have to be

known about the present claims experience in con

nection with solicitors’ indemnity insurance in

order to make an estimate o f the risk involved. It

would probably be necessary to form a company,

limited by guarantee, and to make each insured

solicitor a member o f the company, and to obtain

guarantees o f a specified sum in the nature o f un

called capital in the event o f the winding up o f the

company. This uncalled capital would be necessary

to provide against the risk o f heavy claims in the

early years o f the scheme before the fund had reached

a sufficiently strong position. On reviewing the

whole matter and the riskes involved, it was decided

to postpone it generally without rejecting it.

If at any time there is widespread dissatisfaction

amongst solicitors as to the existing Insurance

facilities the matter can be re-considefed. It should

be said, however, that although there have been

individual complaints there is no evidence that the

profession, as a whole, is dissatisfied with the

present facilities provided for insurance against

liability for negligence.

olicitors

’ B

enevolent

ssociation

Before ending my remarks I should like to urgee

all members who are not members o f the Solicitors’

Benevolent Association to join the Association with

out delay. In a profession such as ours, whose

members are exposed to the various risks o f ill-

health and the other calamities which affect man

kind, there are bound to be cases in which our less

fortunate brethren are in need o f our assistance. I f

you were only present at the monthly meetings of

the Directors o f the Association, you would indeed

hear of sad cases in which solicitors themselves and

their widows and dependants, through no fault of

their own, have fallen upon necessitous days. I

regret to say that only about half o f the solicitors in

the country subscribe the annual guinea to become

members o f the association. I would appeal to you

all, not alone to join yourselves if you are not

already members, but to ask your colleagues to join.

TheAssociation was founded in 1863, and extends to

the whole 32 counties o f Ireland, relieving cases

which come before it from both sides o f the Border.

It is our only professional charity and deserves your

support, not alone your own financial support, but

your influence, if ever asked by a Client to suggest a

worthy object o f benefaction.

Before I close I would like to thank most sincerely

the Vice-Presidents and my colleagues on the

Council, who have given me such loyal support

during my term o f Office as President. I had the

advantage o f two young and active Vice-Presidents

who took a great deal o f the work off my shoulders,

and I could not ask for a better Council. I have also

to thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen, for coming here

to-day, and for the patience with which you listened

to me. I move the adoption o f the Report. Mr.

James J. O’Connor seconded the motion for the

adoption o f the Report which was put to the

meeting and unanimously adopted.

The following motionwas proposed by Mr. Joseph

Barrett and seconded by Mr. F. J. Gearty : “ That

the following persons be appointed to be members

of the Nominating Committee for the Cultural

and Educational Panel pursuant to Section 22

of the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members’) Act,

1947, and that all necessary steps be taken to give

effect thereto, and that the seal o f the Society be

affixed to all necessary documents : Patrick R. Boyd ;

Arthur C o x ; William J. Norman; Patrick F.

O’Reilly; Sean O hUadhaigh. The motion was

put to, the meeting and passed unanimously.

It was unanimously resolved that an Ordinary

General Meeting of the Society should be held

on 22nd November, 1951.

Mr. Desmond Moran then proposed the following

motion: “ That on the occasion of the pending

retirement o f the Librarian, Mr. Thomas B. Cooley,

it is fitting that the Society in General Meeting

should record their deep appreciation and thanks

for the manner in which he has discharged the

duties o f his Office for so many years and the

courteous and efficient way in which he has always

assisted members o f this Society using the Library,

and their regret at losing his services as Librarian.”

The motion was seconded by the Chairman

and carried with acclamation.

Mr. Noel Reid addressed the meeting on the

subject o f Law Reform. The President stated that

a resolution o f this Society stressing the importance

of this matter had been sent to the Department

of Justice in 1943.

Mr. Desmond Moran addressed the meeting

on the subject o f the formation of. a Company

to carry on mutual insurance o f solicitors against

liability for negligence. He also stressed that the

Council should urge upon the authorities the

necessity o f providing funds for the publication

of legal text-books.

The President stated that

these matters would be considered by the Council.