The Gazette 1995

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GAZETTE DECEMBER 1995
The Irish Institute of Legal Executives:
A Reply
The article by Dr. Eamonn G. Hall
entitled "Lawbrief' in the October
1995 Gazette which outlined the
meaning and historical references of
the term "clerk" and "law clerk"
particularly in relation to those in the
United States and the UK was noted
with great interest.
We wish to up-date Dr. Eamonn Hall
and indeed your readers on the present
position of The Irish Institute of Legal
Executives.
The Irish Institute of Legal Executives ;
was formed in 1987 and incorporated j
in April 1992 as a company limited by j
guarantee, not having a share capital.
As stated, the first Fellowships were
awarded in 1988. Dr. Hall states that
the Irish Institute has not been as
active as its English counterpart. It
should be pointed out that the UK
Institute .which was formed in 1963 j
took thirty-two years to achieve its
current status.
We are trying to create a greater
awareness of our Institute - of its
activities and the recognition of the
status of its members and their roles
within the legal profession.
We too are publishing a quarterly
newsletter which provides information
on the changes of law, points of
practice and discussion vis-a-vis legal
topics. The latest edition (August
1995) was circulated to most
solicitors' offices in the Republic of Í
Ireland.
It is noted with regret that most Irish
law firms do not make provision for
the training of staff or in the
development of their knowledge or
practical skills. This is a very basic
requirement which should be provided
in a very structured way.
The Irish Institute of Legal Executives |
is also a professional body
representing "legal executives"
with very high standards and
Pamela O'Loughlln F.I.I.L. Ex.
operating under a strict code of rules
for all its members. We are
endeavouring to create and be
responsible for the training of such
legal executive to enable all members
work in tandem with members of the
Law Society.
Rome was not built in a day but we do
not intend to take thirty-two years
either!
It has taken time to establish and
identify the role of our members and
architect the present structure of the
Institute. In the near future, we expect
to be offering, Diplomas and
Certificates and later Degrees to
student Legal Executives. We are
negotiating with various colleges in
relation to the formation of
customised courses which will be
particularly aimed towards the needs
of the Irish Legal Executive.
Our intention is to embrace a far
wider range of membership than was
previously envisaged. We wish to
represent every person who is not a
Solicitor or Barrister but who has a
thirst for legal education and/or has
extensive legal experience.
Whilst we would agree
wholeheartedly with Dr. Hall's
statement that "the lack of sufficient
measure" of renumeration for "law
clerks now often designated as legal
executives" is one of their "principal
concerns", we wish to point out that
we are not a trade union. The
Memorandum of the Irish Institute of
Legal Executives Limited clearly
states ". . . the Institute shall not
support. . . . any regulation or
restriction which if any object would
make it a trade union".
The educational levels and standards
of experience behind each level of
membership approved by our Institute
entitles a member to use initials
ending with . This
distinguishes our members from
existing "Law Clerks" and will in time
command the renumeration worthy of
that title as they gain recognition and
respect by employers. It should be
, well known and established that a
; person who uses these letters after the
I title of Legal Executive, duly issued
and approved by our Institute will
hold clearly defined skills of
knowledge and practice.
j We look forward to reading Dr. Hall's
follow-up article of the next year or so
when our hard labour bears fruit!
We wish legal employers to take note
of the fact that no member of our
Institute is allowed to use the letters
i . or unless they
i hold a current annual practising
certificate which has been issued by
the Institute. We would also point out
that we do not support the use of the
term "legal executives" by non-
members.
We appreciate all the support we have
received to date from solicitors,
barristers, members of the judiciary
and all others who have assisted us.
We look forward to receiving letters
of enquiry, 'phone calls, requests for
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