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GAZETTE
JUNE 1980
RECENT COUNCIL
DECISIONS AND ACTION
The suggestion that the Society should seek to acquire
— at auction — the Smithfield site in Benburb Street,
which adjoins the Blackhall Place property, was rejected
by a special meeting of the Council in May. The decision
was taken after considering advice from a Property
Consultant, the Society's Architect and Solicitor, and
reviewing the accommodation requirements for the next
decade and the financial implications of the purchase.
The financial cost was considered too high for a single
generation of solicitors to carry.
Northern visitors
The Ordinary Meeting of the Council, held on the
same day, was attended by the following members of the
Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland:
Messrs. Patrick S. M. Cross, President; James G.
Doran, Senior Vice-President; C. C. McNally,
Junior Vice-President; Miss T. McKinney, Mr G. P.
Jemphrey and the Secretary, Mr Sydney Lomas.
During the meeting some Council members and the
Director-General were excused to attend in the High
Court as witnesses in the case of
John Fanning and A nor
v
The Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.
In his
judgment, delivered after a day-long hearing, Mr Justice
Butler found in favour of the Society.
A report of the case will be published in the
Gazette.
The Court of Justice of the European Communities has
indicated that it will accept the CCBE Identity Card as
evidence of a lawyer's right to audience before the Court.
To be valid for this purpose the CCBE Identity Card
must have been dated within the previous 12 months.
Grave concern was expressed by the Council over the
substantial arrears in Accountants' Certificates, reported
by the Registrar's and Compensation Fund Committee.
Instructions were given that the firms concerned should
fie pressed to submit the appropriate Certificates
immediately.
The Union Internationale du Notariat Latin (UNIL) is
to be invited by the Society to hold a meeting in Dublin on
a date to be agreed within the next two years.
Taxation
Commission
When the Council was told, at its meeting in May, that
the Minister for Finance had declined to appoint a
Solicitor on the Commission on Taxation, the Council
established an ad hoc Committee to draft a submission to
the Commission. Mr L. K. Shields was appointed
Convenor of the Committee.
Representations were made to the President of the
High Court (at the request of Mr Michael O'Connell) for
an extension of time for service of Motions for judg
ment. Following these representations the period required
has been extended from four to ten days.
Valuation Office delays
Abnormal delays in the Valuation Office were the
subject of concern of a number of members at the June
Council meeting. This problem is being discussed with
both the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the
Public Service, and the need for early improvement is
being emphasised.
There was unanimous agreement to support the
proposal that the Town Agents' requirement should be
abolished. The matter is currently being considered by the
Superior Rules Committee.
Following representations by the Society there has
been a change in the handling of the granting of Social
Welfare Pensions. Members were advised of the change
when official notification was received from the Depart-
ment of Social Welfare.
The Parliamentary Committee's submission in relation
to Section 60 of the Finance Bill 1980 was endorsed.
Stimulating interest
The greater interest, involvement and participation of
the younger members of the profession in the Law Society
is to be sought through the work of a Committee which
will study how this stimulation can be achieved. The new
Committee, which has power to co-opt additional
members, has been set up by unanimous decision of the
Council following consideration of a resolution on the
subject from Mr P. O'Connor and Mr L. K. Shields, who
will form the nucleus of the Committee.
In the matter of Myles P. Shevlin a solicitor and in the
matter of the Solicitors' Acts 1954 and 1960.
BY O R D ER of the President of the High Court dated the
28th day of July, 1980, the name of the above named
solicitor has been restored to the Roll of Solicitors solely
for the purpose of defence in criminal proceedings, state
side work and declaratory actions arising out of criminal
proceedings.
J AMES J. IVERS,
Director General.
In the matter of Philip F. Tormey a solicitor
and
In the matter of the Solicitors' Acts 1954 and 1960.
BY O R D ER of the President of the High Court dated the
28th day of July, 1980 ( 1 9 80 No. 5S.A.) the name of
the above named solicitor has been struck ofTthe Roll of
Solicitors.
J AMES J. IVERS,
Director General.