157 / 264
GAZETTE
OCTOBER 1978
REGISTRARS'
COMMITTEE
Thomas D. Shaw
Chairman
William B. Allen
Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
S. Carmel Ktlleen
Ernest J. Margetson
Patrick F. CDonnell
Michael V. OTVtahony
Laurence K. Shields
Andrew F. Smyth
3.1
During the year the Registrars' Committee investigated complaints brought
against solicitors, and also dealt with all matters relevant to the issue of practising certi-
ficates and accountants' certificates by the Society.
3.2
The procedure of the Committee in dealing with complaints is that when a
complaint is received it is referred to the solicitor for a reply, to be received within a stated
period. If the reply is not received within that period or if the matter cannot be disposed of
in correspondence, then the matter is listed for the Interview Board, which is a sub-
committee of the Registrars' Committee. The Interview Board will attempt to dispose of
the matter at that level, and if it is unable to do so, or in more serious matters the case is
then referred to the Registrars' Committee.
3.3
During the year from August 1977 to 1st August 1978 there were a total of 850
initial complaints received. Of these 182 were referred to the Interview Board and of
these, and some few more serious complaints 115 were dealt with by the Registrars'
Committee. Nine cases during the year were referred to the Disciplinary Committee, the
remainder of all the complaints being dealt with by the Registrars' Committee.
3.4
It is true to say that in the experience of the Committee, during the year, some
names keep recurring. Also it is fair to say that these names count for a considerable
volume of the complaints, and if they were excluded, the number of complaints which
would have to reach the Registrars' Committee, would be very much smaller.
3.5
The principal reason for complaints is delay. To overcome this particular
problem, the Committee has established liaison with the Land Registry and branches of
the Revenue Commissioners with the view to endeavouring to expedite matters which are
complained of to the Committee. This has proved most beneficial in a number of cases. It
is also fair to say that in the vast majority of complaints, when brought to the knowledge
of the solicitor, they were dealt with expeditiously and disposed of. All current complaints
are dealt with expeditiously by the Society, and it is the Committee's resolve that all
legitimate complaints by clients against solicitors will be resolved as speedily as possible
and to the satisfaction of the client.
3.6
The committee during the year dealt with accountants' certificates of practi-
tioners which had fallen into arrears. The Committee is happy to record that in the vast
majority of such cases immediate steps were taken to bring the accountants' certificates
up-to-date. Practitioners should understand that practising certificates are withheld where
the accountants' certificates are in arrears. In this sector Mr. P. J. Connolly, the Society's
Finance Director, carried out investigations of solicitors' clients' accounts, and paid many
visits to solicitors' offices, following up previous investigations carried out by him. In each
of these cases, reports were submitted to the Registrars' Committee which took appro-
priate action.
3.7
During the year the Society attempted to formulate a complete roll of solicitors
practising with a view to ensuring that every solicitor practising had a current practising
certificate. This work was not completed during the current year, but it is hoped that in
the next year this list of solicitors practising will be available and in this way the Society
can ensure that everybody has an up-to-date practising certificate, and that all arrears due
to the Society are paid.
Thomas D. Shaw
Chairman
3.8
The Committee is indebted to the Director General for his many services to the
Committee, and his attendance at meetings, to Mr. P. J. Connolly, Finance Director, who
devoted a considerable portion of his year to work in the sector of the Registrars'
Committee. To Mr. Basil Doyle, Mr. Martin Healy, Mr. Fintan Burke, and all members
of the secretariat for their assistance and guidance and unfailing courtesy throughout the
year.
3.9
Finally, I would like personally to express my thanks to all of my colleagues on
the Committee for their excellent attendance at meetings. Practitioners will realise that
apart from the monthly meetings of the Registrars' Committee there are many extra
meetings of the Interview Board, and I am happy to place on record my sincere thanks to
the members of the Committee for their help and assistance and regular attendance at all
meetings.
157