180 / 266
of the bill, but notice had been given to the lessors
and it was contended that this was sufficient. The
Council decided that as between the parties, the
lessees were bound by a notice given to the lessors
by the lessors’ solicitor electing to take the item
charges under clause 6 o f S.R.G.O. 1884, provided
that written notice signed by the solicitor was
•communicated to the clients before undertaking any
work.
Right o f client to bill o f costs.
A
c l ie n t
wrote to the Society complaining that a
member had refused to furnish a copy o f a bill in
respect o f which costs had been paid. Member
acted for both vendor and purchaser for whom a
loan was obtained, completed the transaction and
explained the figures from a rough bill which was
shown to the client before closing and payment of
the costs. The client subsequently asked for a copy
o f the bill but member refused to furnish it on the
ground that the matter had been closed. The matter
was referred to a committee which reported that
member should furnish a copy o f the bill to the
client. The committee’s report was adopted by
the Council.
Agency commission with English solicitors.
M
e m b e r s
belong to a Bar Association, the rules of
which include a provision that agency commission
should not be allowed to other solicitors. They
enquired whether in the opinion of the Council,
such a rule would prevent them from allowing
agency commission to English solicitors. A report
o f a committee to which the matter was referred,
and which was adopted by the Council, stated that
having regard to the arrangement between the
Society and the English Law Society (See Society’s
Gazette, July-August 1952, page 67) it is not
expedient that the rule o f the local Bar Association
should apply to the usual agency commission
between Irish and English solicitors and the com
mission should therefore be allowed.
Election to Seanad Eireann.
T
h e
Council decided to propose the President, Mr.
Joseph Barrett, for nomination as the Society’s
candidate for election to the Seanad on the Cultural
and Educational Panel. It was decided to hold a
special General Meeting of the Society on 24th May,
at which the Council’s proposal would be submitted
for adoption by the members o f the Society.
High Court in Cork.
T
h e
Council considered a report from their repres
entatives on the Superior Courts Rules Committee
on a proposal that the High Court should sit in
Cork City to deal with witness actions arising in
the City and County o f Cork. The matter had been
discussed by the Superior Court Rules Committee,
but no decision had been reached and the Committee
wished to know the views o f the Society. It was
decided that the Society’s representatives should
inform the Committee that the Council approve
in principle o f the proposal, that sittings o f the
High Court should be held in Cork. The details
o f the proposal, including the area of jurisdiction,
of the proposed High Court in Cork were not before
the meeting and the Society’s representatives were
asked to submit to the Council the detailed proposals
when received.
SEANAD ELECTION.
The Society in General Meeting on May 24th
proposed the President, Mr. Joseph Barrett, for
nomination as the Society’s candidate on the
Cultural and Educational Panel at the election for
Seanad Eireann. It is with confidence that the
Council appeal for the active support o f all members
in obtaining votes for our candidate. It is now
more important than ever that the Society should
have representatives in each House o f the Oireachtas
to voice the opinion o f the Society on matters o f
vital interest to solicitors and their clients.
The election will be conducted on the system of
P.R., and the electorate will consist o f :
The members o f the new D a il;
The members o f the outgoing Seanad ; and
The members o f every County Council and
County Borough Council.
The nomination committees have been abolished
by the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1954,
and the Society’s candidate will therefore be placed
on the Panel from which the new Seanad will be
elected by the persons mentioned above. Every
vote from the first to the second last preference
will be of importance.
VACANT LECTURESHIP.
T
h e
Council invite applications from members
for the position o f lecturer on taxation
with special reference to death duties. Particulars
o f the course and the salary and conditions o f
appointment may be obtained from the Secretary.
Applications will be received until 21st June, 1954.
ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
OF SOCIETY.
A
G
e n e r a l
Meeting o f the Society was held in
the Society’s Library on Thursday, 13th May, 1954
the President, Mr. Joseph Barrett, in the Chair. The
following members of the Society signed their
2