The Gazette 1975

Mr. Crivon was worried that no proper statistics for education had been produced. He stated that whereas formerly about 50 new solicitors qualified per year, this figure had now risen to 100, most of whom would not receive employment. If, at Universities, candidates could not secure enough points for the discipline which they intended to choose, they inevitably turned to law, on account of the low standard of points involved. Rigorous steps should be taken to raise standards, in order to produce competent solicitors. The Director General stated that admittedly 120 solicitors had qualified last year, and that no less than 400 apprentices had been accepted at the moment. The exact position in relation to employment would be inquired into within the next two months. The President stated that, as from October 1975, the profession would become post-graduate, and the Universities would furthermore be imposing strict quotas in the Law Faculties then. The Minister for Justice wanted to allow apprentices into the profession without any control, and, if we had not done so, by facilitating apprenticeship, the Minister could by pressure have opposed the closed shop, and brought in legislation to open the door to extend apprenticeship facilities. Mr. Crivon pointed out that a qualified solicitor is bound by the regulations, and that a surfeit of solicitors will keep the Disciplinary Committee busy. Mr. Desmond Moran asked for an explanation as to how candidates had to undergo undue delays in obtain, ing examination results. The Director General stated that under the regul- ations all results had to be sanctioned by the Council, and that for the Summer 1974 results, a special meeting of the Council had to be summoned, at which it was difficult to obtain a quorum. Although examiners were given a dead-line, they often sent results late, as this was only a part-time activity. If the results were late, they could not be properly checked. He deplored the fact that the results of the September Law Examinations had in some respects been inaccurate, and that in two cases, candidates who were at first informed that they had passed, had subsequently failed. Mr. Dundon, in reply to a question as to whether it was possible to review an examination paper, stated that no general review was possible, but that discretion could be exercised in particular cases. The report was passed. The adoption of the Public Relations Committee was proposed by Mr. Walter Beatty and seconded by Mr. John Carrigan. Mr. T. C. G. O'Mahony commended the Committee for making use of the Communications Media. The report was passed. The adoption of the Report of the Blackhall Place Committee was moved by Mrs. Moya Quinlan, and seconded by Mr. John Maher. Mrs. Quinlan emphasised that the Council, at its last meeting, had passed a resolution to move by gradual steps into Blackhall Place, as and when conditions warranted it. A draft scheme was in course of prepar- ation to use the ground floor premises mainly for edu- cational purposes. Mr. Gerald Hickey said he had misgivings about the gradual development of these premises, as the cost

It followed that unfortunately many members were not insured against this contingency at the moment. Even though the English Law Society has already power to take steps to make this compulsory, it is still considering the position. The President asked how, even if this proposal of Professional Indemnity Insurance were adopted, it would be enforced. The proposals relating to this matter are not statutory, whereas those relating to Solicitors' Accounts are. As a result of discussions with the Minister for Justice, he was satis- fied that an amending Solicitors Bill, even if it were to provide for this, would not be introduced by the Government for at least two years. The Accountants' Profession themselves had great difficulty in obtaining insurance to cover this contingency. Mr. Desmond Moran stated that the question of compulsory insurance was one of great anxiety as it could lead to disaster. Mr. James CDonovan asked about information about the number of claims to be met. Mr. Bruce St. John Blake stated that the rating for professional negligence insurance was high, as it was based on the totality of the professions covered. Mr. Jermyn pointed out that as solicitors, we were in fact separated from other professions which should give us an opportunity to build up a fund of our own. As against Mr. T. C. G. O'Mahony's suggestion that this Report be considered by a Sub-Committee, the President's proposal, that the Report be referred back to the Council for further consideration, was accepted. The Report was then passed. The adoption of the Report of the Parliamentary Committee was proposed by Mr. John J. Nash and seconded by Mr. John Jermyn. It was pointed out that the views of the Society on impending legislation could be referred to the Government, with occasional favour- able results. The report was passed. The adoption of the Report of the Finance Com- mittee was proposed by Md. Gerard Hickey, seconded by Mr. Ernest Margetson and passed unanimously. The adoption of the Report of the Court Offices Committee, in the absence of its Chairman, Mr. Peter O'Connell was proposed by Miss Felicity Foley and seconded by Mr. Christopher Hogan. Mr. Crivon asked whether there was any prospect of any increase in Schedule 2 costs. The President stated that the question of a Special Costs Committee had to be considered by the Prices Advispry Commission. The Minister for Justice was endeavouring to ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he would transfer the powers in relation to legal costs to a special Prices Committee to be established under the Ministry of Justice. The President stated that the Council were looking closely at the matter. Mr. Crivoii emphasised that the present scales were unremunerative. The Report was passed. The adoption of the Report of the Court of Exam- iners was proposed by Mr. William Dundon and seconded by Mr. John Buckley. Mr. Buckley stated that a Sub-Committee had been appointed to advise on the new educational arrangements and that the 11 members of this Sub-Committee, most of them not on the Council, deserved commendation for their work.