The Gazette 1977

GAZETTE

MARCH 1977

LAUNCHING OF BOOK ON IRISH FAMILY LAW

Mr. W. D. McEvoy, Chairman of the Public Relations

Committee, presided at the official launching of Mr. Alan

Shatter's book on Family Law in the Republic of Ireland,

in the Library of Solicitors' Buildings, on Monday, 14th

March, at 4.30 p.m. He said it was a privilege and a

pleasure on behalf of the Society to welcome all present,

and emphasised the great value of the new publication.

The President of the High Court, Mr. Justice Finlay,

thanked the Society for giving him the opportunity for the

first time to launch a textbook on Irish Law and stressed

the following reasons:-

(1) It was precisely a textbook on Irish Law — an

unusual event, as, unless it is subsidised, it does not pay

an Irish lawyer, no matter how well qualified, to write a

book on Irish Law.

(2) He had known personally the excellent work

performed by Mr. Shatter, whether as Chairman of

FLAC, or as a solicitor, who had vast practical

experience in Family Law. The scholarship and industry

of the author were manifest.

(3) The work itself was extremely good, and was well

designed for practical use by Irish lawyers.

(4) It was a specific book on Family Law. He thought

that in 20 years the law on this topic would be judged not

so much as a result of jurisprudence, but rather on the

basis on which we personally applied Family Law.

The President, Mr. Bruce St. John Blake, then said:-

As President of the Incorporated Law Society of

Ireland it is my particular pleasure to welcome you all

here as guests of the Society on the occasion of the

publication of the book on Family Law in the Republic of

Ireland by our colleague and brother solicitor, Alan

Joseph Shatter.

I am particularly glad to be able to record that a

member of the solicitors' profession has made such a

significant contribution to this most important topic of

Family Law which is now engaging the attention of so

many persons and organisations and in which the legal

profession has such an important part to play.

The Incorporated Law Society of Ireland is very glad

indeed to be associated with the publication of this book

which we have no doubt will have a much wider market

than amongst the legal profession. The Society from

limited resources is endeavouring to encourage writers in

the legal and allied social fields but, such as they are, the

limited resources will be made available for much

worthwhile projects. In this way, the solicitors' profession

is glad to have an opportunity of being involved in a direct

and concrete fashion in assisting the community to better

understand the human and social problems that the

family in our society experiences in connection with the

law.

The author Alan Shatter has had a distinguished

academic career and he has left a particular mark on the

F.LA.C. movement during his term as Chairman of that

most worthy organisation.

From the point of view of the legal profession I am glad

to welcome this book on Family Law in the Republic of

Ireland because it will provide an invaluable text book not

only for practitioners but for the specific aspect of the

Society's new educational programme devoted to the

topic of Family Law. The Society is determined that

emerging solicitors will have a solid grasp of the

possibilities and pitfalls in this area of Family Law.

I would here like to also take the opportunity of further

indicating the Society's forward thinking in this field,

namely the publication of a leaflet entitled "If a Family

breaks up" which will be available for distribution later

this week.

In the legal profession we are particularly conscious

that Family Law in this country is an area of rapid

expansion. As the situation stands at present I do not

believe that any of us can yet quite visualise how far this

expansion will go and how it will be serviced. In this

regard it is hoped that the Pringle Committee on Civil

Legal Aid will recommend and that the Government will

accept that Legal Aid be made available in respect of all

aspects of Family Law.

It is of the utmost importance that Court facilities and

support staff should expand to meet the new demands

that will be placed upon the administration of justice in

the field of Family Law simultaneous with their rapid

development. Unfortunately, the facilities that are at

present available have fallen very far short of meeting the

existing demand, but in this regard I am glad to be able to

record the Society's welcome for the announcement by

the Department of Justice of the proposed provision and

expansion of facilities for Family Law Courts in the

immediate future.

I would finally again like to congratulate Mr. Shatter

for the contribution he has made both to the legal

profession, the study of law and the community in general

by the publication of his book which I strongly commend

to all organisations represented here to day and who have

honoured the Society with their presence and to whom

once again I say you are all most welcome and we in the

legal profession look forward to working together with

you in the service of the community in this all important

human area of Family Law.

The author, Mr. Alan Shatter, then thanked the

speakers for their comments, and the Society for

arranging the launching ceremony.

Family Law in the

Republic of Ireland,

published by Wolfhound Press is

available hardback at £12.10, and paperback at £7.98

V.A.T. inclusive.

" '

INCORPORATED LAW SOCIETY OF

IRELAND

INSURANCE COMMITTEE

Indemnity Insurance For

Law Searchers

At a recent meeting, it was agreed that members

be advised that —

(i) Law search firms should be insured to the

same amount that the solicitor concerned

is, and

(ii) Solicitors should inspect the insurance

receipt of the firm of law searchers each

year.

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