The Gazette 1975

iii) many problems cannot adequately be dealt with on a case by case basis iv) few lawers have a detailed knowledge of areas of law affecting the poor. The corrollary of such facts must be a Free Legal Service System, and in his address Mr. Finlay outlined FLAC's proposals to the Pringle Committee. The system of legal services must have the charac- teristics of accessibility as a right, flexibility and co- ordination. Proposing that a Legal Services Act should be put on the statute book, Mr. Finlay said this should set up a Board to perform the tasks of a) establishing and administering a panel system of Legal Aid and Advice b) establishing and supervising Community Law Centre c) to conduct research and periodic review into the legal service system and any improve- ments necessary. The panel system would be divided into four categories, covering the areas of Family Law, Criminal Law, Tribunal Law and all other problems normally dealt with by a solicitor. A meants test was felt to be a necessary evil but it was urged that the necessary adjunct of bureaucracy be kept to a minimum. It was felt that Community Law Centres filled the Council Dinner The Annual Dinner of the Council of the Society was held in the Library of Solicitors' Buildings on Thursday, 24th April, 1975. The President, Mr. W. A. Osborne, who had just returned from Australia and N ew Zealand, received the guests. The guests included the Minister for Finance (Mr. R. Ryan, T.D.), the Minister for Lands (Mr. T. Fitzpatrick, T.D.), the Chief Justice (The Hon. T. F. O'Higgins), the President of the High Court (The Hon. T. Finlay), the Attorney-General (Mr. D. Costello S.C.), the Judges of the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Kenny, Mr. Justice Butler, Mr. Justice Hamilton, Mr. Justice Gannon and Mr. Justice Doyle, the President of the Circuit Court, the President of the Special Criminal Court (Mr. Justice Pringle), the President of the District Court, and the President and Secretary of the Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland. The toast of "Our Guests" was proposed by Mr. Joseph Dundon, Vice-President, and responded to by the Chief Justice. The toast of "The Society" was pro- posed by Mr. Justice Doyle, and responded to by the President.

gaps in the panel system and offered a more readily available service. Their foundation would also lead to a growth of lawyers with the necessary knowledge of law affecting the poor. FLAC had just founded the first Community Law Centre in the Republic, situated in Coolock, and it is hoped that its success will stimulate the government to action and prove the viability of the concept. Concluding his speech, Mr. Finlay said the Council felt there was nothing unrealistic or Utopian about the FLAC proposals. That such services would cost money was not denied, but the duty of the Govern- ment to provide such a system could not be avoided. There was considerable discussion during the seminar and it was indicative of the seriousness of the people concerned that recognition of free legal services was so well received. The Council of FLAC, meeting after the seminar felt that the expense and effort of organising the seminar were worth while and contributed to the debate on the necessity, viability and structure of a free legal service system. The Treasurer would also like to remind readers that the seminar incurred a large financial deficit. All contributions will be grate- fully received. The address to send such contributions is c / o Alan Shatter, 14 Crannagh Park, Dublin 14.

CAPITAL TAXATION SEMINARS

Seminars will be held by the Society in CORK, l l t h - 1 2 th July, 1975 and DUBLIN, 18th-19th July, 1975

Further details will be announced later

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