The Gazette 1961 - 64

It was with this in mind that, in conjunction with the Benchers of the Kings Inns, a series of lectures on this topic were sponsored last June. Three lectures were given by Dr. A. H. Robertson of the Secretariat of the Council of Europe and were very well attended. I would publicly like to state that the initiative in getting Dr. Robertson to deliver these lectures lay with the Chief Justice to whom we should all be extremely grateful. He honoured us by taking the chair at the lectures which were held in this room. Since May, when I spoke to you last, there do not seem to have been any dramatic developments but the Council will keep this whole problem very much in mind. Profession Personally, I often feel that the public at large do not appreciate or understand the range and variety of services which a solicitor has to offer. There is no doubt that prevention is better than cure but, so often, a client does not consult a solicitor until such time as he finds himself in the midst of a dispute or in some other difficulty, which has assumed undue proportions. Of necessity, the lawyer appears most in the press in relation to litigation and this tends to be the form of the public image of both solicitors and barristers. Members of our profession, however, with their advice and their experience of the law and of the world can, and frequently do, prevent the occurrence of disputes. They can assist in individual problems as well as in the smooth running of business and commerce, and other matters. This is the side of the profession that is little known by those who have not had occasion to benefit from it. Of the two branches of the profession, the barrister is the technical lawyer and the solicitor comes much more in contact with the public in relation both to business and purely private affairs. Over the years the average solicitor builds up a very large fund of practical experience on many matters not directly questions of law. For those who appreciate him he can be a very valuable confidante and can often advise on general problems which, to the client, appear unusual but which, from his experience, the solicitor has encountered before and where he can see how best to cope with the difficulties without conflict. It is said that " the man who acts for himself has a fool for a lawyer" which only illustrates the obvious, namely that where one is personally involved it is not always easy to see the wood for the trees. The solicitor has a legally trained mind, can view any client's problem in an analytical and detached manner and can so frequently assist and advise a perplexed and worried client. 53

Patrick O'Connor Memorial Prize During the year Mr. Val O'Connor of Swinford presented the Society with a sum of £100 to found a prize in memory of his late father, Patrick O'Connor. The Council gratefully accepted this donation and directed that the sum be invested and that the income be awarded annually as a prize for the best marks in the equity paper in each year. I would like publicly to acknowledge our very great appreciation to Mr. Val O'Connor for his generosity and to express on your behalf our gratitude to him for founding this prize which I have no doubt will be eagerly sought in years to come. Scan O'hUadhaigh Memorial Prize The Comhdhail Naisiunta na Gaelige indicated some time ago that they would wish to found a prize in memory of the late Scan O'hUadhaigh, to encourage proficiency and interest in spoken Irish. After discussions with the Society it was agreed that the Society would award the prize on the result of the first Irish examination. The prize is £50 and has been first awarded this year. Solicitors' Benevolent Association When speaking to you last May I reminded you of your obligations to the Solicitors' Benevolent Association and asked you to join if you had not already done so and if you were already a member to try and procure at least one new member. It is only those who have served as directors of the Association who can really appreciate the tremendous hardship which does exist for some solicitors in their old age, and often for their depend ants, and I feel that it is up to all of us who are active and able to earn our living to do something towards the relief of those in distress. I understand that 1963 will be the centenary year of the Association and that the officers are anxious that it should be marked by a special effort. The subscription to the Association is very small and the Association do hope that for next year, as a special effort, members will give an additional donation. I need hardly say that I and my colleagues on the council would entirely endorse and encourage you to support such an effort. Common Market The Council are very much alive to the fact that new problems will face us when we enter the Common Market and I think it behoves us all to endeavour to make ourselves familiar with the basic provisions of the Rome Treaty and to understand its implications on this country and, in particular, on our profession.