The Gazette 1988

APRIL 1 9 88

GAZETTE

CORRESPONDENCE

giving more practitioners an opportunity to join the scheme the extension will provide the Branch w i t h more i n f o rma t i on and experience for evaluating the scheme and for d r awi ng up proposals for s t a t u t o ry self- assessment. If you have already participated in the Pilot Scheme we would like to encourage you to continue. If you have not we would like to urge you to do so. Three wo r kshops on the completion of self assessment returns have been held in Blackhall Place and four other sessions are planned for Cork, Limerick, Galway and Sligo. These sessions will be advertised by the Law Society in due course. Most solicitors who have attended have found them extremely helpful. The self assessment team consists of: Andrew McLaughlin, ext. 2241 Eddie McCarthy, ext. 2247 Lucy Durnin, ext. 2018 Ray Williamson, ext. 2244. Copies of self assessment forms and instruction booklets can be obtained f r om Capital Taxes Branch, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. Any member of the team will be happy to deal with any problems or enquiries about self assess- ments. Yours sincerely, A NDREW M CLAUGHLIN Assistant Principal Officer,

Environment to allow the societies set up their own conveyancing shops. Most members by now will be aware that this Association has made public its views that this proposal is not in the interest of the consumer as it would give rise to a direct conflict of interest and will not reduce the cost of conveyancing. In the context of the conflict it was the general feeling of the members present that solicitors need to get the message across to the public that we are the source of unfettered and unbiased advice. To effectively communicate this message it will be necessary for the Incorporated Law Society to undertake a publicity campaign and inevitably involve large financial expenditure. It was discovered that the vast majority of those present at the meeting, in the order of 75%, were in favour of the Law Society seeking budget of £100 per Solicitor to undertake just such a campaign. It was pointed out by Mr. David Walley, Chairman of the Association's Conveyancing Com- mittee that £100.00 would re- present only a fraction of the savings achieved by members since the i n t r oduc t i on of the Law Society's mutual defence. In view of the overwhelming numbers in favour of this proposal our association now calls on the Law Society to, (1) Prepare an immediate pub- licity campaign to promote the independent services which the profession offers; and (2) Collect the said sum of £100 per solicitor to provide the necessary funding for such a campaign. This campaign should not be limited to corporate advertising in the mass media but should involve every solicitor in the country through their offices and with their clients and social contacts. It is the belief of our Association that a strong public awareness of our independence, as distinguished from other sources of information and advice, is necessary not only in our interest but for the long term benefit of our clients. Yours faithfully, DAIRE M. MURPHY, Hon. Secretary, Dublin Solicitors Bar Association.

The Editor, Law Society Gazette, Blackhall Place,

Dublin 7. Dear Sir,

Single European Act I read with interest (Dec. issue) as regards making a consultative room available on six occasions at a total cost of £72 (to fulfill the Society's neglected duty) on above, that "Mr. Margetson, Chairman of the Finance Committee, commented that it was not the practice of the Society to provide rooms free for any activity". Presumably therefore, he and his Committee will insist on payment of the cost of providing the Presidents Hall, and extensive other rooms, including generous hospitality to those sponsoring the Irish Times Debate, held in the Law Society premises on 5th February 1988. This will bring in much needed income to the Society in excess of £1,000. I hope to deal in your next issue with the other matters concerning the above and purported to have been dealt with at the A.G.M. Yours sincerely, T. C. GERARD O'MAHONY Solicitor, 22 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

Self Assessment Unit, Capital Acquisitions Tax, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.

The Editor, Law Society Gazette, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7. Dear Sir/Madam,

The Editor, Law Society Gazette, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7.

7.4.1988.

Dear Sir,

Re: Pilot Study for Self Assessment

Re: Corporate Publicity On Thursday last, the 24th March 1988, the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association held a meeting for its members to which the President of the Law Society, Mr. Thomas Shaw was invited. The meeting was very well attended. A comprehensive and frank exchange of views took place, particularly on the issue of the pro- posed new Building Society Bill and the intention of the Minister for the

I would like to bring you up to date on developments in the pilot study. To date well over 200 returns have been received and reports from the participants in the scheme have been very favourable especially in regard to the speed with which such returns are processed. Because of the encouraging experience to date it has been decided to continue to operate the scheme during 1988. As well as

79