The Gazette 1949-1952

practice. The profession is much indebted to the Attorney-General for his kindly interest and assistance. As will be seen from the Report, applications have been made to the Superior Court Rules Com­ mittee for an amendment of the Rules to enable Taxing Masters to allow travelling and subsistence expenses to provincial solicitors attending in Dublin for the trial o f actions in the High Court, and also to have Commissioners’ Fees increased by 50 per cent. These applications are still pending before the Committee. An application had also been made to the Local Registration Rules’ Committee (a) for the substitution o f 335 per cent, for 25 per cent, as the permitted increase in the pre-war scales of costs, and ( b ) for an amendment o f Schedule of Costs to enable a solicitor to charge under Schedule 2 for voluntary transfers where the value o f the lands is less than £ 1,000. The first part o f the application was granted by the Rules Committee, and is at present awaiting the sanction o f the Minister for Justice. The second part was not acceded to. Application was also made to the Circuit Court Rules Committee for an increase in the scales of costs prescribed in the Workmen’s Compensation Rules, 1942. The Committee did not accede to the application, but have sanctioned some minor increases as set out in the Report o f the Council. Since the Report was prepared, two new Bills affecting the profession have been introduced in the Dail, e.g., the Criminal Justice Bill and Land Bill. These Bills have been fully examined by the Council, and copies have been circulated to the provincial members o f the Council. I think it only right that I should draw attention to the claims of the Solicitors’ Benevolent Associa­ tion on every member o f the profession. We are all bound to exercise a certain amount o f charity, and the Benevolent Association has, surely, first claim on members of the profession. Owing to the decrease in the value o f money, the claims o f the Association are continually mounting. Surely, our primary duty is to our own profession, as the Association is dependent on us for support. The subscription is only £ 1 is., and I would appeal to those who are not now members, to join the Association. As my year o f office is drawing to a close, I would like to thank the members o f the Council for the great help and co-operation which they gave me during the year. No one could hope to hold the office unless he had the co-operation and support o f the Council, and I had this in an ample degree from the Vice-Presidents and every member of the Council. I would also like to thank members of the Society for their loyal support o f the Council

would appeal to these areas to examine the position and endeavour to have Bar Associations founded. The Council have noted the prevalent tendency to underpay solicitors employed as Civil Servants in Legal Departments of the State. The salaries of the assistant solicitors in most of the Government Departments, particularly those of the most junior solicitors, compare unfavourably with the salaries and conditions o f Civil Servants in the administra­ tive grades, and also with the salaries o f other pro­ fessional Civil Servants. It is difficult to under­ stand why this should be so. Solicitors in the Service are called upon to discharge highly-skilled and very responsible duties, and they are entitled to be paid in accordance with the standard of work which is expected of them. Some years ago representations were made by the Council to the then Minister for Finance on the subject. It was impossible to do anything about the matter during the Emergency, but now that things have changed, the long-standing grievances of these solicitors should be redressed. The Council propose at an early date to make a strong case to the Minister for Finance with pro­ posals for improving the conditions of service of these members o f the profession. The scheme for the simplification of the Discharge of Equities has now been completed, and a copy has been very kindly sent by the Registrar of Titles to every member of the profession. The new scheme should be found very easy in practice, and should lead to equities being discharged more promptly and with less trouble. The Society much appreciates the action o f the Registrar of Titles, and the Council have already conveyed their thanks to him. Members will have seen the answer of the Minister for Justice in reply to a question in the Dail as to delays in the Land Registry. Provision is now being made for additional staff, and the Minister hopes that the position will improve this year. This is a matter o f great urgency, having regard to the importance of the work involved and the great increase in the number o f dealings, particularly under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act. It is hoped that when the delays have been overcome, suitable arrangements will be made with an eye to future requirements, and that the time-lag mentioned by the Minister will be obviated. Certainly the fees are high enough to ensure a better service. In view o f the great growth in the work, additional premises would appear to be required, and it is to be hoped that the Minister will keep this in mind. The matter of assignments in murder cases has now been brought to a conclusion, and details of the new arrangements, fees and allowances were published in the June issue of the G azette . The Council trust these will be found satisfactory in