The Gazette 1949-1952

limited by guarantee, for the purpose o f undertaking indemnity insurance o f solicitors against liability by negligence. The matter was considered by a Committee o f the Council with a view to seeing whether it is a practical proposition. Obviously, unless the Society could provide better facilities and cheaper insurance than Lloyds Underwriters, who undertake most o f the work at present, it would hardly be worth while going to the trouble of setting up a scheme. Something would have to be known about the present claims experience in con­ nection with solicitors’ indemnity insurance in order to make an estimate o f the risk involved. It would probably be necessary to form a company, limited by guarantee, and to make each insured solicitor a member o f the company, and to obtain guarantees o f a specified sum in the nature o f un­ called capital in the event o f the winding up o f the company. This uncalled capital would be necessary to provide against the risk o f heavy claims in the early years o f the scheme before the fund had reached a sufficiently strong position. On reviewing the whole matter and the riskes involved, it was decided to postpone it generally without rejecting it. If at any time there is widespread dissatisfaction amongst solicitors as to the existing Insurance facilities the matter can be re-considefed. It should be said, however, that although there have been individual complaints there is no evidence that the profession, as a whole, is dissatisfied with the present facilities provided for insurance against liability for negligence. S olicitors ’ B enevolent A ssociation : Before ending my remarks I should like to urgee all members who are not members o f the Solicitors’ Benevolent Association to join the Association with­ out delay. In a profession such as ours, whose members are exposed to the various risks o f ill- health and the other calamities which affect man­ kind, there are bound to be cases in which our less fortunate brethren are in need o f our assistance. I f you were only present at the monthly meetings of the Directors o f the Association, you would indeed hear of sad cases in which solicitors themselves and their widows and dependants, through no fault of their own, have fallen upon necessitous days. I regret to say that only about half o f the solicitors in the country subscribe the annual guinea to become members o f the association. I would appeal to you all, not alone to join yourselves if you are not already members, but to ask your colleagues to join. TheAssociation was founded in 1863, and extends to the whole 32 counties o f Ireland, relieving cases which come before it from both sides o f the Border. It is our only professional charity and deserves your

support, not alone your own financial support, but your influence, if ever asked by a Client to suggest a worthy object o f benefaction. Before I close I would like to thank most sincerely the Vice-Presidents and my colleagues on the Council, who have given me such loyal support during my term o f Office as President. I had the advantage o f two young and active Vice-Presidents who took a great deal o f the work off my shoulders, and I could not ask for a better Council. I have also to thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen, for coming here to-day, and for the patience with which you listened to me. I move the adoption o f the Report. Mr. James J. O’Connor seconded the motion for the adoption o f the Report which was put to the meeting and unanimously adopted. The following motionwas proposed by Mr. Joseph Barrett and seconded by Mr. F. J. Gearty : “ That the following persons be appointed to be members of the Nominating Committee for the Cultural and Educational Panel pursuant to Section 22 of the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members’) Act, 1947, and that all necessary steps be taken to give effect thereto, and that the seal o f the Society be affixed to all necessary documents : Patrick R. Boyd ; Arthur C o x ; William J. Norman; Patrick F. O’Reilly; Sean O hUadhaigh. The motion was put to, the meeting and passed unanimously. It was unanimously resolved that an Ordinary General Meeting of the Society should be held on 22nd November, 1951. Mr. Desmond Moran then proposed the following motion: “ That on the occasion of the pending retirement o f the Librarian, Mr. Thomas B. Cooley, it is fitting that the Society in General Meeting should record their deep appreciation and thanks for the manner in which he has discharged the duties o f his Office for so many years and the courteous and efficient way in which he has always assisted members o f this Society using the Library, and their regret at losing his services as Librarian.” The motion was seconded by the Chairman and carried with acclamation. Mr. Noel Reid addressed the meeting on the subject o f Law Reform. The President stated that a resolution o f this Society stressing the importance of this matter had been sent to the Department of Justice in 1943. Mr. Desmond Moran addressed the meeting on the subject o f the formation of. a Company to carry on mutual insurance o f solicitors against liability for negligence. He also stressed that the Council should urge upon the authorities the necessity o f providing funds for the publication of legal text-books. The President stated that these matters would be considered by the Council. 39