The Gazette 1961 - 64

best position to know how to train its own would-be members. Training of apprentices will have to be flexible and easily varied to meet ever-changing circumstances and statutory restrictions make for rigidity. If the common market becomes reality there will be an even greater curriculum to be studied and the question of languages for the lawyer may become one of paramount importance. Some common language or languages will have to be adopted so that lawyers in the community and even further afield can communicate freely. French is the paramount language of the Six and French and English seem the most likely languages to be used in law in the future. While it would be premature to bring French into our syllabus now, it may be very important for the lawyer of the future to be able to speak it, and anyone contemplating a legal career would be well advised even at this stage, to study French both at school and afterwards. The world is getting much smaller and the areas with which we are concerned and will be concerned, are ever expanding and lawyers here and elsewhere shall have to face up to the language problem in some shape or form. PENSION SCHEME Since the last annual meeting you will all have received copies of the booklet containing the provisions of the Pension Sickness and Accident Insurance Scheme which the council has negotiated for members through Irish Pensions Trust Ltd. I feel that this is a scheme which is particularly designed to meet the needs of solicitors and one that should commend itself to every member. I know that Irish Pensions Trust Ltd. have spent a lot of time and energy in helping us to evolve this scheme for which they have claimed no remuneration and every member of the society should be very grateful to them for their help. It is not for me to try and persuade any of you to take out a policy under this scheme unless you want to do so. There are considerable advantages in the scheme, however, particularly to the man practising on his own with fluctuating profits or to a man practising with his son who wants to make provision enabling his son gradually to take over an ever-increasing share. I would ask you all to study the booklet carefully and if you have any queries arising thereon to get in touch with Irish Pensions Trust who will, free of charge, and without commitment, advise you further. If, having studied it, it has no interest for you then I am content. I am glad to be able to tell you that the response to the scheme to date has been most encouraging. May I close on a more personal note. It is indeed an honour and a privilege to have been elected your president and I am fully conscious of this. I will do my utmost to maintain the high standard set by my predecessors and to justify the trust placed in me by your council. It is a burden I could not contemplate singlehanded. I am fortunate in having Mr. Lanigan and Mr. Taylor as my vice- presidents and I am indeed grateful to them for the ready help they have given me at all times. The council which you elected last November must be one of the most hardworking councils ever. The programme of law reform has placed on them an unusually heavy burden but one and ail are ready and willing at all times to do their share and more than their share. I cannot tell you how much I value their unstinted efforts and their support. I am deeply indebted to them one and all. Mr. Plunkett remains, as always, the right arm of every president and I thank him most sincerely or all his help to me, and through him, all and every member of the staff who have played their full part in the efficient running ofthe Society.

Messrs. J. R. Quirke, Desmond Moran and T. D. McLoughlin addressed the meeting on matters arising on the president's statement. The proceedings then closed. MEDICAL FEES FOR EXAMINATIONS AND REPORTS An enquiry has been received from a member as to the position generally with regard to the amounts of fees properly payable to doctors for medical examinations and subsequent reports. The member who made the enquiry had been informed by a surgeon that the minimum fee for his report would be five guineas. It is understood that the practice on taxation of costs is to allow a fee of three guineas for a report from the client's doctor on a party and party taxation. If, however, a specialist who has not been treating the client makes an examination and report he is allowed five guineas for his first report and three guineas for each subsequent report. As between solicitor and client the Taxing Masters allow the same charges except that where the matter is difficult or un usual theywould allow such fees as have actually been paid by the client's solicitor, provided of course that they were not unusually high. An unusually high fee would require the approval of the client. It is also understood that only a reasonable number of reports may be allowed on a party and party taxation, generally not more than four. The fee for a doctor for attending at court for the purpose of giving evidence is now increased to eight guineas but apart from that the general position with regard to medical fees remains unchanged. MOTOR INSURERS' BUREAU OF IRELAND An addendum to the original agreement dated the poth November, 1955, has been signed by the Minister for Local Government and the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland. The addendum is dated the izth March, 1962, and provides that references in the original agreement to the Road Traffic Act, 1933, are to be construed as references to the Road Traffic Act, 1961. There is a proviso, however, that the Bureau will only accept liability which would be required to be covered by an approved policy under the 1933 Act. The range of compulsory insurance was extended by the 1961 Act with effect from May ist but this is not covered by the addendum. The text of the addendum and notes thereon is available from Government