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OCTOBER 1977
professional indemnity cover are strongly advised to contact the Society or the brokers from whom they can
obtain a quotation. Accepting that the members may wish to avail of the Society's scheme or may prefer to
make their own private arrangements, it is a matter of considerable concern that as many as 400 solicitors
practices still do not have professional indemnity insurance cover. It cannot be emphasised sufficiently to all
members that they should seek such cover, if they have not already done so.
1.9
The report of the National Prices Commission on Solicitors' remuneration was published in March and
gave rise to media comments which were dealt with appropriately. This report did, I feel, serve to emphasise that
the level of solicitors' earnings by comparison with equivalent occupations is in fact below an acceptable level.
Arising from the National Prices Commission Report, the Society has made applications for increases in costs
to the various Court Costs Committees, but the members will appreciate that the procedure is slow and
cumbersome. Bearing in mind that the National Prices Commission Report relates to earnings up to mid-
September, 1974, the Society has made an application to the National Prices Commission for a further
increase. The effectiveness of the Society's argument in favour of the granting of increases in costs is very
substantially dependent upon the information which the Society has sought from members. Consequently
members are earnestly requested to submit the returns sought from the Society's management consultants,
Coopers & Lybrand, if they have not already done so, to enable an effective case to be made to both the Prices
Commission and the various Costs Committees.
1.10
The report of the Education Committee will serve to emphasise the difficulties and complexities which
are being encountered at the moment in this most important area. I avail of this opportunity to emphasise that I
have the most complete confidence in the Chairman and the members of this Committee who provide a
continuous and vitally important service for the aspiring members of our profession.
1.11
The Society's Summer Meeting which was held in Wexford early in May was most successful, both on
the business and social side. The Society was honoured by the presence of the President of the Law Society of
Scotland, Dr. Ian MacMillan, the President of the Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland, Mr. Lennox
Cotton and representatives of the Law Society of England and Wales, in addition to the Lady Mayor of
Wexford, Mrs. Avril Doyle, the then Tanaiste and Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Mr. Brendan Corish,
T.D., his Lordship the Bishop of Ferns, Most Rev. Dr. Herlihy and local representatives and dignitaries.
1.12
My wife and I have been guests of the Law Society of Scotland at their Annual Conference at
Aviemore and also at the Northern Ireland Law Society's Annual Meeting in Scotland in May. We have also
attended the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of the Netherlands Order of Advocates in Amsterdam in
September. We attended the opening of the English Law Term in London and were subsequently guests of the
Law Society of England and Wales at their Annual Conference in Harrogate in October. Also we have attended
the formal opening of the Legal Year as guests of the Bars of Antwerp and Brussels with whom on behalf of the
Society, I am happy to have established firm contact, a contact which I strongly feel should be maintained,
particularly having regard to our country's membership of the European Community and our Society's
representation on the Commission Consultative of the Bars and Law Societies of the E.E.C. countries.
1.13
During my year of office I have done my utmost to maintain and foster good relations with all our
allied organisations in this country. We have had their representatives at the Council's Annual Dinner which
took place at the end of March. In addition both my wife and I have enjoyed the reciprocal hospitality of these
organisations throughout the year when we have had the privilege of representing the Society. I am particularly
pleased to b'e able to report that the good relations which the Society has developed with the various government
departments with which it is, of necessity, in constant contact have been maintained and indeed strengthened. I
would like to acknowledge the very real degree of co-operation that the Society has received from the offices of
these departments and, from the offices of the Department of Justice. I am also particularly glad
to be able to acknowledge that the good relations established with the former Minister for Justice have been
maintained with the present Minister, to whom I wish to pay tribute for the co-operation and assistance which
he has given to the profession on the difficult matter of Criminal Legal Aid.
1.14
Finally I would like to thank most sincerely my Vice Presidents and the members of the Council for
their steadfast loyalty and sterling encouragement to me during my period of office. I wish to acknowledge their
help and support. Also I would Tike to thank the Director General and all the Society's staff for their willing
assistance in discharging the burdens of the Presidential Office.
2.1
As is the case in any year, the year under review was a continuation of the work initiated by the Council
in previous years. A satisfactory record of achievement has been accomplished. Throughout the year, the
Council operated on the basis that all work was initially processed by the Standing and ad hoc Committees of
the Council and that decisions were taken on the basis of recommendations from those Committees.
Except in the case of the Premises Committee, all Standing Committees met on the evening before or on the
morning of the day of the Council meeting. It was not necessary to hold any Special Meeting of the Council
during the year.
2.2
Premises: During Easter, 1977, the Society's administration was transferred from the Four Courts to
the premises at Blackhall Place. After some initial teething troubles, the new arrangements functioned
satisfactorily, except for the telephone service. Despite vigorous efforts in the way of representation to the
Department of Posts & Telegraphs, this is still not completely satisfactory. Thanks are due to the members for
their patience and forbearance during a difficult period.
2.3
On Blackhall Place Premises the main concern of the Council during the year was the determined
effort made to raise the funds necessary to carry through the reconstruction project. It is pleasing to report that
the Fund Raising Campaign is progressing satisfactorily and the gratitude of the Society is expressed to all those
COUNCIL
Bruce St. John Blake
President
Joseph L. Dundon
Walter Beatty
Vice Presidents