The Gazette 1974

Contract and To rt for one full year before sitting for

t h e

First Law Examination and University lectures in

Equity for one full year before sitting for the Second

w Examination. In practice, the present arrangements

allow a student to attend the Society's lectures and the

Sree course at one and the same time. This gives rise

difficulties in the scheduling of lectures which are

npounded by the fact that in Dublin the University

^ u r e s are held in either T.C.D. or University College,

fflfield, and the Society's lectures are held in University

°Uege, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin. There is also the

Problem of providing properly for graduates of U.C.C.

fadU.C.C.

At the moment there are upwards of 650 apprentices

the register of the Society. Slightly over 100 qualify

solicitors each year and the number attending lec-

fares varies between 100/150. Due to the limitations

fa lecture space, the problem the universities have of

akl

ng an unlimited number of non-degree students and

difficulty of securing apprenticeship, it would

JPPear as if from 100 to 120 is the practical upper limit

Vear.

number of students that can be handled in any one

Ed National policy of Society

that"

06 1 9 6 1 il h a s b e e n t h e s t a t e d

o l i c y o f t h e S o c i e t y

H) The present division of functions between the

Universities and the professional bodies should be

continued, namely the Universities should provide

lectures on the theoretical aspects of law while

training in the practical application of these sub-

jects should be given by lecturers provided by the

professional bodies.

^ A university degree should be required before enter-

*ng into indentures of apprenticeship.

,, J

Britain the Report of the Committee on Legal

^ c a t i o n ( ORMROD RE PORT) published in March

recommended the intending solicitors should

fuh

C a L a w D e

r e e

obtained as a result of a three-year

f "."time academic course before commencing pro-

ssi

onal studies. The Committee divided on the issue

whether the universities or the profession should

Ssarn

e responsibility for the year of professional

s i h T '

° I

e s s i o n

there favours assuming respon-

j 'fay for the professional stage of training but appre-

a t e s

that the cost of training may be too great for the

ofe

"sion to carry. In Northern Ireland where the

P u k r

a b o n

s v e r y

similar to that obtaining in the Re-

> a degree has been specified as the requirement

sin

r e n t

i c e s h ip (except in the case of the law clerk)

nee

1949

For the future it is proposed that the basic

essional training should be provided in an Institute

lj .Law working in association with the Queen's

versity, Belfast. Insofar as the Republic is con-

tffafa* the view of our Society is that the professional

»ng should be provided by the Society.

hold a degree. This requirement is to be specified in

the Regulation which with the approval of the Council

will be made at the Council meeting next Thursday.

T h e particular regulation is being made at this stage

so that second level educational institutions can have

as long a notice as is feasible of the change. (A mini-

mum of one year has been suggested.) Nearer the time

of the change, there will be need for further and more

detailed regulations setting o u t :

(a) the transitional examination arrangements for

those already admitted to apprenticeship, and

(h) the examination and other arrangements under the

new situation.

It is visualised that these regulations will not be

made until early in 1975 and that the intervening time

will be used by the Society to clarify all outstanding

matters as to course details, etc. with the Universities.

Details of Society's Course

The Society has agreed the outline of its course with

the Universities and has established a joint committee

with them to examine and agree the detailed syllabus

of the course as outlined. This Committee is working

harmoniously. This will take some time since discussion

with the existing teachers and examiners will be neces-

sary to establish the desired syllabus for each of the

subjects in the proposed course. It will be necessary

also to establish how much of each course will be

given by way of lecture and how much by way of dis-

cussion group. A problem here will be the recruitment

and training of interested teachers and tutors in suitable

numbers. On that account, it is visualised that the

introduction of an improved syllabus in each subject

will be a gradual procedure. As with the universities,

the syllabus will be revised from time to time accord-

ing as teaching expertise is developed. It is stressed that

in each of the subjects listed, the emphasis in the

Societys' course will be on the practical aspects as they

apply in the everyday work of a solicitor's office.

It is visualised that in the First Year as an apprentice

lectures and group discussion will take place from Mon-

day to Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from

4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. and that in addition tutorials

will be held for 2 hours per day. The arrangements for

the second study period will not be as intensive, since

to some extent the apprentice will be specialising in

subjects of his own choice. At the end of the first year

of study the apprentice will be required to sit a 2nd

Law and Book-keeping examination (new form). He

will then go to his master's office freed from lectures

and examinations and for the best part of two years

should learn the practice of his profession. About three

months after the end of the second period of study the

apprentice will be required to sit a final examination.

It is intended that this particular examination will be

broad rather than detailed in its approach. Candidates

will be specialising in subjects of their own choice.

e iv

Education Regulations from October 1975

f o l l o w i n g consultation with the Universities, the

t e n

> P

poses that as from 1 October 1975 all in-

soii

P P

r e n t i

c e s other than a bona fide clerk to a

citor with seven years service, will be required to

Admission to Law School

Und er the new arrangements for admission to the

Societys' Law School an applicant with a Law Degree

will be allowed to commence subject to passing the

statutory First Irish Examination and obtaining a master.