134 / 336
iii) many problems cannot adequately be dealt
with on a case by case basis
iv) few lawers have a detailed knowledge of
areas of law affecting the poor.
The corrollary of such facts must be a Free
Legal Service System, and in his address Mr. Finlay
outlined FLAC's proposals to the Pringle Committee.
The system of legal services must have the charac-
teristics of accessibility as a right, flexibility and co-
ordination.
Proposing that a Legal Services Act should be put
on the statute book, Mr. Finlay said this should set
up a Board to perform the tasks of
a) establishing and administering a panel system
of Legal Aid and Advice
b) establishing and supervising Community Law
Centre
c) to conduct research and periodic review into
the legal service system and any improve-
ments necessary.
The panel system would be divided into four
categories, covering the areas of Family
Law,
Criminal Law, Tribunal Law and all other problems
normally dealt with by a solicitor.
A meants test was felt to be a necessary evil but
it
was
urged
that
the
necessary
adjunct
of
bureaucracy be kept to a minimum.
It was felt that Community Law Centres filled the
gaps in the panel system and offered a more readily
available service. Their foundation would also lead to
a growth of lawyers with the necessary knowledge of
law affecting the poor.
FLAC had just founded the first Community Law
Centre in the Republic, situated in Coolock, and it is
hoped that its success will stimulate the government
to action and prove the viability of the concept.
Concluding his speech, Mr. Finlay said the Council
felt there was nothing unrealistic or Utopian about
the FLAC proposals. That such services would cost
money was not denied, but the duty of the Govern-
ment to provide such a system could not be avoided.
There was considerable discussion during the
seminar and it was indicative of the seriousness of
the people concerned that recognition of free legal
services was so well received.
The Council of FLAC, meeting after the seminar
felt that the expense and effort of organising the
seminar were worth while and contributed to the
debate on the necessity, viability and structure of a
free legal service system. The Treasurer would also
like to remind readers that the seminar incurred a
large financial deficit. All contributions will be grate-
fully received. The address to send such contributions
is c / o Alan Shatter, 14 Crannagh Park, Dublin 14.
Council Dinner
The Annual Dinner of the Council of the Society
was held in the Library of Solicitors' Buildings on
Thursday, 24th April, 1975.
The President, Mr. W. A. Osborne, who had just
returned from Australia and N ew Zealand, received
the guests. The guests included the Minister for
Finance (Mr. R. Ryan, T.D.), the Minister for Lands
(Mr. T. Fitzpatrick, T.D.), the Chief Justice (The Hon.
T. F. O'Higgins), the President of the High Court (The
Hon. T. Finlay), the Attorney-General (Mr. D. Costello
S.C.), the Judges of the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice
Kenny, Mr. Justice Butler, Mr. Justice Hamilton, Mr.
Justice Gannon and Mr. Justice Doyle, the President
of the Circuit Court, the President of the Special
Criminal Court (Mr. Justice Pringle), the President of
the District Court, and the President and Secretary of
the Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland.
The toast of "Our Guests" was proposed by Mr.
Joseph Dundon, Vice-President, and responded to by
the Chief Justice. The toast of "The Society" was pro-
posed by Mr. Justice Doyle, and responded to by the
President.
CAPITAL TAXATION SEMINARS
Seminars will be held by the Society in
CORK, l l t h - 1 2 th July, 1975
and
DUBLIN, 18th-19th July, 1975
Further details will be announced later
131