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so far as the difficulty is caused by the steady increase
in the cost of living figure and overhead expenses
such as rates and taxes the solution is not under the
control of the profession itself. It is, however,
obvious that there are a number of outmoded
practices and procedures in solicitors' offices and in
their dealings with other offices and Government
and Court departments which could be discontinued
or improved with a view to saving expense. The
committee will consider the matter under the
following heads :
1. Improvements which could be effected by
changes in the internal organisation of solicitors'
offices and by cooperation among practitioners.
2. Improvements in the procedure of Government
and Court offices with a view to saving time
and effort by solicitors and their staffs.
The following are examples of the kind of pro
posals which might be considered under head i :
The simplification of the system of drawing and
furnishing bills of costs in contentious and non-
contentious matters.
Standardisation of the common clauses in agree
ments (as distinct from the special stipulations as
to title) and their adoption by the profession under
copyright by the Law Society.
A uniform size for deeds, Court forms and paper
used in solicitors' offices for notices, affidavits and
briefs which would be suitable for filing, photo
copying, etc.
The extension by solicitors to colleagues by
mutual arrangement of facilities with a view to saving
unnecessary copying of documents.
The best
known example is the practice of furnishing a carbon
copy of requisitions on title for use by the vendor's
solicitor. With the advent of modern typewriters
capable of producing upwards of six carbon copies
at a time such facilities might be extended to the
pooling of resources in litigation so that each solicitor
by agreement with his opposite number would supply
the requisite number of extra copies of documents
originating in his own office.
As regards the matters under head 2, it appears
to the Council that the Rules of Court and practices
in various Government offices ought to be amended
with a view to avoiding the necessity of personal
attendance in matters which could be dealt with quite
satisfactorily by the use of the telephone and the
postal service. Examples are :
The extension by the Revenue Commissioners of
facilities for transmission of deeds by post to Dublin
Castle for stamping. These facilities are now available
to country solicitors but have not been extended to
Dublin.
The substitution of adhesive for impressed stamps
in documents filed in the High Court.
The amendment of the Rules of Court to provide
for the filing and issue of summonses, pleadings and
other documents by registered post instead of
personal attendance.
The service of all documents issuing from the
Courts by registered post instead of personal service
where the document is to be served on a solicitor
on record for the other party.
The transmission of deeds and memorials by
registered post to the Registry of Deeds for registra
tion.
The Committee invite suggestions from Bar
Associations and individual practitioners on the
matters within their terms of reference. No sugges
tion will be rejected merely because it seems
revolutionary or unusual. The matter is rather
urgent as the Superior Courts Rules Committee is at
present engaged in the final revision of the new rules
which will be substituted for the Rules of The
Supreme Court 1905.
The Committee wish to
submit a report to the Rules Committee before the
new rules have been finally settled.
ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
An ordinary general meeting of the Society will
be held in the Library, Solicitors' Buildings, Four
Courts, Dublin on Thursday 26th May, 1960 at
2.30 o'clock p.m.
SOLICITORS' GOLFING SOCIETY
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE—SEASON 1960
President:
Mr. John J. Nash (President I.L.S.I.)'
Captain:
Mr. "William A. Tormey (Athlone).
Hon. Treasurer:
Mr. John J. O'Dwyer.
Hon. Secretary :
Mr. Gerard M. Doyle.
Committee :
Mr. David Bell, Mr. William Menton,
Mr. John Maher, Mr. J. J. O'Connor (Dublin),
Mr. Gerald Hickey, Mr. J. J. O'Connor (Thurles),
Mr. T. McKeever, Mr. M. T. Neary, Mr. Eugene
Gillan, Mr. J. C. Griffin, Mr. L. K. Branigan
(Ex
Officio).
The Spring Meeting of the Society and Captain's
Prize was held at Athlone Golf Club (by kind
permission) on Saturday, yth May 1960.
Members dined afterwards in Hudson Bay Hotel
(adjoining Golf Course).
Annual Subscription £i now due payable to :
Hon. Treasurer:
Mr. John J. O'Dwyer, 15 D'Olier
Street, Dublin or
Hon. Secretary :
Mr. Gerard M.
Doyle, 50 Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin.
Further information from Hon. Secretary.