The Gazette 1964/67

223 / 364

work being done by local Bar Associations to make
me realise more than ever what an essential part
they play in our professional life. I know how
much your Council appreciates the advice and
opinions and the constructive criticism received
from this source. In addition, they foster among
their members that spirit of comradeship and
goodwill which makes professional life so much
more pleasant and worthwhile.
Conclusion
Of necessity I have dealt very briefly with
matter which affect us all. I hope, however, I
have said enough to reassure you that the mem
bers of your Council are fully alive to the difficul
ties which lie ahead. For my part I will do my
best during the remainder of my term to carry
out my duties in the best interests of the pro-
ression. In doing so I have the great advantage of
having the support of two excellent Vice-
Presidents, Mr. Patrick O'Donnell, T.D., and Mr.
James Green backed up by a loyal Council. The
encouragement and assistance given by our Sec
retary Mr. Eric Plunkett is beyond praise and
I know I can rely upon him and his staff for
its continuance during the remainder of my year.
A discussion followed on the proposed Accounts
Regulations and a further report thereon will
appear in the next issue of the GAZETTE.
COMPLAINTS
The Society in the ordinary course receives a
number of letters from clients with complaints
about solicitors, and has a settled procedure for
dealing with them.
It is better, in the interest of clients and their
solicitors, that complaints should be dealt with in
this way rather than by representations to Govern
ment Departments and outside bodies, who have
not the advantage of knowing the particular cir
cumstances of a solicitor's practice.
The great majority of such letters either dis
close no reasonable cause for complaint, or make
charges which are found unsubstantiated as a
result of the Society's inquiries.
The practice of the Society is to sent a copy
of the letter of complaint to the member con
cerned, even where it seems to disclose no reason
able cause of complaint. In such circumstances
the member is asked for his comments and norm
ally a copy of his reply is sent to the Society's
correspondent.
The attention of members is drawn to the
that the issue of such a letter does not mean
the matter has been prejudged in an-1' way,
that the object of the Society is to obtain suffic
ient information to enable the Society to answer
the complaint, and, where appropriate, to clear
the member concerned from any unjustified ac
cusation.
Where, as happens in the majority of cases,
there is no question of misconduct the matter is
dealt with by the Society's secretariat without
reference to the Council or any Committee.
In cases in which, having regard to all the
circumstances and the correspondence, there ap
pears to be an unsatisfied cause for complaint
the matter is referred to the appropriate Com
mittee of the Council.
RECIPROCITY IN PRACTICE
Occasionally the Society receives enquiries from
members as to the possibility or otherwise of
solicitors who qualify and are admitted to the
roll of solicitors in Ireland practising abroad.
Queries most often raised refer to Australia and
Canada. From information supplied to the Soc
iety from the appropriate authorities the follow
ing information is available : —
In Western Australia a person admitted as a
solicitor in Ireland is not eligible for admission
unless he shall qualify or further qualify in West
ern Australia, nor is he exempt from taking the
examination of the Barristers Board of Western
Australia. In South Australia an applicant who
has been admitted as a solicitor of the Courts
in the Republic of Ireland would not be able
to rely on that qualification to support his ad
mission as a practitioner. If, however, he has also
been called to the English Bar or admitted as
a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature in
England, that qualification will make him eligible
for admission. Supreme Court Examination Rules,
1935, which were revoked by the Supreme Court
Admission Rules, 1955-62, did provide for the
admission of a person who had attained the age
of twenty-one years, and was either a natural
born or naturalized British subject, but who was
a member of the Bar of the Irish Free State or
had been admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme
Court of the Irish Free State. It may well be
that credit would be given by the University of
Adelaide to an Irish solicitor for examinations
passed by him in Ireland but this is a matter in
which the Academic Registrar of the University
of Adelaide has final jurisdiction.
The Legal Practitioners Act, 1955 and the
Legal Practitioners Rules govern the position in
Tasmania. Sections 8 and 9 of the Act deal with
the admission of barristers and solicitors fro'ii