The Gazette 1964/67

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At the Book-keeping Examination for appren
tices to solicitors held on 28th February the follow
ing candidates passed:
Passed with merit: 1. Anthony C. Hayes, 2.
William O. H. Fry, 3. Brian J. Magee. Passed:
Henry C. Blake, B.A., John H. Dockrell, William
C. Gavin, B.A., Matthew J. Mitchell, B.A., Bren-
dan J. McDonnell, Francis J. O. McGuinness,
B.A., B.C.L., H.Dip. in Ed., John J. Tully.
16 candidates attended; 10 passed.
At the First Law Examination for apprentices
to solicitors held on the 7th and 8th days of
February the following candidates passed :
Roger Ballagh, James S. Baylor, Colm A.
Cavanagh, Scan P. Corrigan, Joan E. M. Daly,
Rosemary Durcan, Laurence R. Egan, Thomas F.
Farrell, Thomas D. Fleming, Conor C. Foley,
Michael H. Gleeson, B.C.L., John McMahon
Glynn, Anthony T. Hanahoe, John F. Hayes,
Elizabeth Heffernan, Desmond J. Houlihan, Henry
Murphy, B.A., Kieran M. F. Murphy, James M.
O'Dwyer, Anthony F. O'Rourke, Avice Redmond,
Esmond Reilly, Aveen M. J. Smith, Charles C.
R. M. de Lacey Staunton.
47 candidates attended; 24 passed.
The Centenary Prize was not awarded.
At the Second Law Examination for apprentices
to solicitors held on the 7th and 8th days of
February the following candidates passed:
Passed with merit: 1. Joseph G. Finnegan,
B.C.L., LL.B., 2. Niall P. Connolly, B.C.L. Passed:
Fergus Armstrong, B.C.L., Marguerite Boland,
B.C.L., Ann M. T. Coady, B.C.L., David Cox,
B.C.L., Catherine P. V. Doyle, B.C.L., Michael P.
A. Farrell, B.C.L., John P. Gaffney, B.C.L, James
Heney, B.C.L., Raphaeline A. E. Hoey, Pamela
Forrest Hussey, Alan V. Kelly, Michael J. A.
Kelly, Gerard Kirwan, B.C.L., George G. Mullan,
B.C.L., Peter F. R. Murphy, Oliver D. McArdle,
Donal T. McAuliffe, Francis J. O. McGuinness,
B.A., B.C.L, .H.Dip. in Ed., Marie Noonan, Bren-
dan O'Mahony, Michael J. O'Shea, Gerald B.
Sheedy, B.C.L., Angela M. Sweetman, B.A.
37 candidates attended; 25 passed.
At the Third Law Examination for apprentices
to solicitors held on the 9th, 10th and llth days of
February the following candidates passed:
Philomena Armstrong, B.C.L., Francis D. Daly,
B.C.L., John H. Dockrell, John M. Fitzpatrick,
Mary M. Harvey, B Michael A. Lucas, Mat
thew Mitchell, B.A., , Joseph Molony, B.C.L.,
Patrick J. McMahon, B.C.L., LL.B., Elizabeth M.
J. O'Donnell, Thomas A. O'Donnell, Josephine
M. E. O'Meara, B.C.L., Eleanor O'Rourke, B.C.L.,
Ann O'Toole, Mary P. Tighe, B.A.
20 candidates attended; 15 passed.
By Order
ERIC A. PLUNKETT
Secretary
Solicitors' Buildings,
Four Courts,
Dublin 7.
24th March 1966.
THE PROS AND CONS OF FUSION—II
There has been a good deal of discussion and
controversy in recent months on the "reform"' of
the legal professions by amalgamating the two
professional bodies so that solicitors can practise
as barristers and vice versa. In my view, if any
legislation is introduced by the Government to
effect amalgamation, it would bemost irrespon
sible as any benefits resulting from amalgamation
would be far outweighed by the disadvantages.
I have had a number of years' experienc of
both systems; in Ireland as a solicitor and in
Canada, where the professions are united, as a
barrister and solicitor. There are advantages and
disadvantages of the fused system and in Canada
the system works satisfactorily. It is a fallacy to
suggest, however, that because the system works
in Canada and other parts of the New World, that
it would be better in Ireland.
In Canada, as in the United States, the pro
fessions have always been united and in the earlier
pioneer days it was neither economical nor practi
cal to have two professions. In many parts of
North America this position is still true today as
specialisation is not warranted in areas of sparse
population. In some of the smaller cities of
Canada, there is specialisation in some fields of
law but in the larger centres there is a high degree
of specialisation. For example, there are many
firms in Toronto that take counsel work by refer
ence only, likewise there are tax specialists, com
pany law experts and so on. In effect, there is a
greater division of the legal professions in many
parts of Canada than exists in Ireland.
One of the features of specialisation in them
North American system is the high cost to the
public. This is true in both the medical and legal
professions. Professional men tend to form large
partnerships and while the medical or legal skill
that is available to patients or clients is of the
highest order the fees are extremely high.
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