79 / 324
The Chairman in moving the adoption of the
Annual Report congratulated Mr. Shaw on his
election as President.
Turning to the Report, he said that income for
the year from dividends and investments was up
by £12 98. 5d., but annual subscriptions were
down by £83 us. 6d.
On the other hand life
subscriptions, donations and
legacies were up
by £906 ys. 3d.
Grants and annuities paid were less by £393 55.
than in 1954 which, however, was a record high year.
The drop of £83 us. 6d. in annual subscriptions
last year was disappointing and it was not too
much to expect every solicitor in the thirty-two
Counties (for the Association covers the whole of
Ireland) to be a member of the Association. He
pointed out that the annual subscription is only
-£i
is. (fd. a day) or for a solictior admitted less
than 3 years half that amount.
Mr. Dermot P. Shaw, President of the Incor
porated Law Society of Ireland in seconding the
resolution
said
that he echoed
the Chairman's
remarks in appealing for support from the profession.
The profession owed a very deep debt of gratitude
to the Directors and if he might single out one
man, perhaps he should name the Chairman, for
his energy and zeal. He assured the meeting that
when given the opportunity of visiting local Associa
tions, he would take the opportunity of telling them
of the work of the Assocktion.
The Report was adopted unanimously.
On the motion of Mr. John L. McDowell,
seconded by Mr. O. S. Fry, the Metropolitan and
Provincial Directors were re-elected.
On the proposal of Mr. George G. Ovetend,
seconded by Mr. Arthur P. Ardagh, Messrs. Terence
de Vere White and H. D. Hurley, were re-elected as
honorary auditors.
On the proposal of Mr. Scan O'hUadhaigh, a
hearty vote of thanks was given to the press.
On the motion of Mr. Thomas P. Robinson, the
President of the Incorporated Law Society took
the Chair and a vote of thanks to the Chairman,
Mr. O'Brien, was passed with acclamation.
REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR'S
COMMITTEE
for the period 1st January to 31st
December, 1955.
THE Committee was set up by resolution of the
Council on i3th January, 1955. It was resolved that
a committee be appointed pursuant to Section 73
of the Solicitors Act, 1954 entitled the Registrar's
Committee consisting of eleven members of the
Council excluding members of the Disciplinary
Committee (to be appointed annually with a quorum
of five) and that the following functions should
be delegated to the Committee.
(a)
functions of the Society under sections 28
(3), 29.0)' 3 1 . 33. 34> 35, 48, 49> and 5* °f
the Solicitors Act, 1954 and under Regulations
made under Section 40 (2)
(a)
and (5)
(b)
of the Act.
(b)
Consideration of complaints against solicitors
(other than applications to the Disciplinary
Committee under section 14 of the Act).
(c)
The institution of proceedings on behalf of
the Society before the Disciplinary Committee.
And it was provided that the resolution should
be reviewed by the Council in six months time.
The functions and powers of the Committee were
confirmed by the Bye-Laws of the Council made
on znd June, 1955.
The Committee
considered
applications
for
practising certificates by solicitors in circumstances
in which the Council had a discretion to refuse
to issue a certificate under section 49 (i) of the Act.
All the applications received from solicitors were
granted.
The Committee considered applications
for practising certificates by solicitors on the roll
whose principal place of business is in Northern
Ireland on the question whether such solicitors
are entitled
to pay
the
lower registration fee
applicable in the case of provincial solicitors. The
Committee reported to the Council that in their
opinion a solicitor practising in Northern Ireland
who certifies that the Dublin address is for agency
purposes only and that he does not intend to practise
in the City of Dublin is entitled to pay the lower
registration fee.
The statutory list of practising solicitors under
section 5 3 of the Act was published and circulated
to the Taxing Masters, County Registrars, District
Court Clerks and to the Bar associations and a
circular was issued to all interested persons advising
them that solicitors whose names do not appear
on the statutory list are not entitled to practise as
solicitors.
Two applications from apprentices under section
28 (3) for registration as of the date of the indentures
notwithstanding that over six months had elapsed
were considered and granted.
One application from a solicitor for leave to take
an apprentice notwithstanding that the solicitor
had not at some time been in continuous practice
for a period of seven years was considered and
granted under section 29
(2) under exceptional
circumstances disclosed.
Notices were issued to four solicitors under
section 49 (i)
(g)
of the Act notifying them that
they had failed to give explanations in respect of