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THE COURT OF
EXAMINERS
9.1 The year under review has seen substantial progress towards the achievement of a radical
reform of legal education which has, for many years, been one of the prime objectives of the
Society. It is not proposed to dwell on the details of the changes which have already been
given considerable publicity, in particular, in the address given by the President Mr. Peter
Prentice at the Society's half-yearly Meeting in Ennis.
Joseph L. Dundon,
Chairman
John F. Buckley
James R. C. Green
John Maher
James W. O'Donovan
David R. Pigot
9.2 At this stage, the framework of the new system of legal education has been constructed
but a very great deal of work still remains to be done before all concerned can say that we have
achieved our objectives.
9.3 One of the principal concerns has been to separate the academic and the vocational
phases of the education of a Solicitor. It is hoped that this will provide scope in the vocational
stage for greater emphasis on those areas of professional practice which in recent years have
become more and more complex. It will also provide opportunities for apprentices to acquire
some degree of specialist skill in particular branches of the Law on which they hope to con-
centrate when in practice.
9.4 The Court is conscious of the fact that the social and economic changes which have taken
place in our country, the momentum of which has gathered pace over the past decade, has
created a demand for a sophistication of legal service which did not exist before. The Society
would be failing in its duty to the Profession both present and future if it did not respond to
the challenges presented by these changes. The Court is extremely grateful to the Authorities
in Dublin University and in the constituent Colleges of the National University of Ireland
who have been particularly helpful in arranging a smooth transition to the new system of
education.
9.5. Apart from this major task, which has occupied the time of the Court, the routine task
of dealing with educational matters has been an onerous one during the past year. The steady
increase in the numbers seeking apprenticeship has created a two-fold problem. At the outset,
many of those seeking to become apprenticed have experienced difficulties in finding a Master
willing to take them. Thereafter the larger numbers give rise to problems of accommodation
for lectures and examinations and to a greater volume of incidental work, the supervision of
which falls within the scope of the Court.
Joseph L. Dundon
Chairman
9.6 During the year, the Council (on the recommendation of the Court) to relieve the
difficulties experienced by intending apprentices in regard to obtaining a Master gave general
notice that it would allow Solicitors who had been sufficiently long in practice to take a second
apprentice provided that the first apprentice had been apprenticed for a minimum period of
12 months. It also relaxed the rule with regard to the minimum period during which a Master
should have practised, reducing that period from 7 years to 5 years as a general rule. While
this expedent has alleviated the situation, it has not eliminated the problem entirely. It is
anticipated, however, that the new arrangements which will result in intending apprentices
obtaining their university degree before seeking to be apprenticed will, in the long run,
eliminate the problem.
9.7 This Report would not be complete without a tribute to the President, Mr. Peter Prentice,
my predecessor as Chairman of the Court of Examiners. During his period as Chairman and
during his year of office, he has devoted a great deal of his time and energy to the advancement
of the Society's present policies. The progress which has been made is due in no small measure
to him.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
COMMITTEE
Walter Beatty,
Chairman
John Carrigan
Joseph L. Dundon
James R. C. Green
Michael P. Houlihan
Brendan A. McGrath
Patrick F. O'Donnell
11.1 Some months ago the Chairman and the Director General attended a seminar in Scotland,
which was organised by the equivalent committee of the Scottish Law Society. This Society,
which was formed shortly after the last war, takes the question of public relations very seriously,
and it is hardly necessary to add that your Committee agrees entirely with them. That Society
has been so active in this field that they have established themselves as spokesmen on matters
not alone affecting their profession but also in relation to the effects of new legislation on the
public. Their methods over the years has been to build up a group of approximately ten
Solicitors who have taken courses in television communications and who are available to the
communications media when required, which is often at very short notice.
11.2 In Scotland the Law Society has published many pamphlets, which have been circularised
to libraries, universities, banks etc. which deal with certain aspects of the law, such as "Buying
a House", "The Scottish Law Society", "The Law of the Road", and so forth. These pamphlets
are also available to the Profession and Solicitors are encouraged to have them on display in
booklet stands in their reception offices.
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