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and justice, for the dignity and freedom of the
individual.
In the fight for freedom lawyers are in the front
line. We have to deal with people at their worst
and know the necessity of a legal order; we also
see people at their best and so retain our faith. In
this country happily we are not concerned with
major issues, but we must be forever vigilant to
safeguard the foundations and to object at all times
to any effort to substitute for the rule of law, a
rule of administrative direction.
It is only right that I should commend on this
occasion one of our colleagues who at his own
expense has
successfully contended before
the
Supreme Court, that a solicitor employed in the
service of the State is not a civil servant, and that
the status of a solicitor of the Supreme Court has
its origins in the ideals and traditions of the legal
profession.
Before I close, I want on behalf of the solicitors
of Ireland, to convey a message of thanks and
appreciation to our good friend and colleague,
Mr. William Norman, who, to our everlasting regret,
has found that the ties of advancing age have
precluded him from continuing as a member of the
Council.
For over 20 years he has been a most
active and enthusiastic member. He has been a
most distinguished President and on this occasion
I thank him on your behalf for an unequalled
record of devotion and service to the profession.
Finally, if I may be permitted to end on a personal
note.
It has been a pride and privilege for me to
be your President. My task has been made easy
in that I had two Vice-Presidents, who have gone
out of their way on every occasion to help me.
Both already distinguished solicitors in their own
right, will I know in years to come ornament the
profession and enhance their already high reputation.
I have had the help of a Council who have been
generous to me in every way and who have worked
during the year in complete co-operation and
harmony.
I have had the sympathy and help of
numerous colleagues and friends in all parts of
the country. And above all I have had at my side,
my guide, philosopher and friend, Eric Plunkett,
and the unstinted help and assistance of his most
efficient and ever willing staff.
Senator Cox seconded the motion proposed by
the President for the
adoption of the report.
Messrs. Frank Connolly, T. D. McLoughlin,
Donough O'Donovan, Desmond Moran and F. R.
Tully also spoke.
It was decided that the next Annual General
Meeting of the Society would be held on zist
November, 1957.
On the motion of Mr. Sean O 'hUadhaigh, Mr.
Walker, Vice-President, took the Chair.
Mr. O 'hUadhaigh then moved a vote of thanks
to the President for his distinguished services to the
Society during his year of office. Mr. D. B. Gilmore
seconded
the motion which was passed with
acclamation.
The President
replied
and
the
proceedings terminated.
MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL.
NOVEMBER IST :
The President in the Chair. Also
present Messrs. Desmond J. Collins, James R.
Quirke, John R. Halpin, A. Cox, John J. Nash,
George A. Nolan, Niall S. Gaffney, John Carrigan,
Dermot P. Shaw, D. J. Mayne, James J. O'Connor,
Ralph J. Walker, Reginald J. Nolan, Derrick M.
Martin, F. X. Burke, John J. Sheil, P. R. Boyd,
Cornelius J. Daly, R. McD. Taylor, Peter E.
O'Connell, F. J. Gearty, Thomas A. O'Reilly,
Francis J. Lanigan, Joseph P. Tyrrell, Charles J.
Downing, Patrick F. O'Reilly, Sean O'hUadhaigh.
The following was among the business transacted:
Solicitors to local authorities.
THE Secretary informed the Council that at an
interview with officials of the Department the
Society's representatives were informed that sanction
would be issued immediately to local authorities
who had requested permission to place whole-time
salaried solicitors in the local government service
on the same salary scales as county medical officers
and county engineers.
Legal Costs Accountants Association.
THE Council considered on a report from a Com
mittee a draft scales of charges submitted by the
Association, providing for a commission on gross
costs drawn and taxed including both professional
fees and disbursements.
It was decided that the
Society should not discuss any scale which proposes
to charge fees on disbursements as distinct from
professional charges.
Solicitors and Auctioneers.
IT was decided
to approach
the Auctioneers'
Association on representations received from a Bar
Association pointing out the difficulties from the
solicitor's point of view under the Professional
Practice Regulations from any practice of auctioneers
of directing clients towards particular solicitors and
suggesting that the Association and the Society
should consider the matter jointly.
Local Authority. Sales to tenant purchasers.
MEMBERS who act for Town Commissioners were
asked by the Commissioners to state the amount