The Gazette 1952-1955

MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL 51-H N ovember , 1 9 5 3 . The President in the Chair. Also present, Messrs. James J. O’Connor, Vice- President ; Patrick R. Boyd, Ralph J. Walker, George G. Overend, Niall S. Gaffney, Derrick M. Martin, William J. Norman, Francis J. Gearty, John Maher, Peter E. O’Connell, Desmond J. Mayne, John J. Sheil, Desmond J. Collins, Francis Lanigan, Reginald J. Nolan, Charles J. Downing, John J. Nash, Patrick F. O’Reilly, Louis E. O’Dea, Arthur Cox, Sean O hUadhaigh. The following was among the business transacted : Liability o f Solicitor for Medical Witness’ s Expenses. M embers acting on behalf o f the plaintiff in a running down action served a subpoena on a Dublin doctor to attend the High Court on 27th April. The action was brought under Lord Campbell’s Act and did not include any claim for special damages. A sum o f £12 12s. for treatment of the deceased was owing to the doctor by his estate. A cheque for £5 5s. viaticum was given to the doctor with the subpoena but as events fell out he had not to attend Court, the case being taken out o f the list on 27th April and subsequently settled out of Court. Part o f the damages was paid into Court; the balance was paid to members who paid it over to the plaintiff without providing for the doctor’s claim o f £12 12s. Members appropriated the sum of £5 5s. paid to the doctor to two medical reports made by him at their request. The doctor maintained that members should have provided for his claim for fees for treatment o f the deceased and that they were respon­ sible for his fees while standing by awaiting a call to attend Court. The Council on a report from a committee expressed the opinion that members were not responsible on the facts submitted for the fees due to the doctor for treatment o f the deceased or for his claim for fees while awaiting a call to attend Court. In the opinion of the Council the doctor was entitled to the sum o f £3 3s. for each medical report and to £3 3s. for one day’s attendance even although he was not required, with credit to members for the sum o f £5 5s. paid with the subpoena. The doctor in question was a general practioner. Employment Regulation Order, Law Clerks’ Joint Labour Committee. T he Council were asked whether bonuses paid to solicitors’ employees should be counted in cal­ culating the minimum weekly wage for the purpose o f the Employment Regulation Orders. In the case submitted members in a few cases paid somewhat

certificates to newly admitted solicitors, addressed them as- follows :— “ L adies ' and G entlemen , “ Before I hand out the Certificates of Admission, I want to convey to each o f you the congratulations and good wishes o f myself and my colleagues on the Council o f the Law Society, and I am sure in so doing that I am speaking on behalf o f all the members o f the Profession—-your future fellow practitioners. I would like you to realise that from now on you are members o f a learned profession and officers of the court, and I have no doubt that you will all do your best to see that the high traditions o f our Profession are maintained. “ When I last had the pleasure o f presenting Certificates, I spoke about our duties towards our clients and amongst ourselves respectively. O f course you know that we must never do anything that would in any way be prejudicial to our clients, but we can render a great deal o f voluntary assistance to each other, without in any way compromising the interests o f our clients. You, our newest mem­ bers, please do not hesitate to seek the advice of your colleagues, when you may perhaps find your­ selves in a difficulty through inexperience and nervousness. If the heritage and tradition o f the Profession are maintained, you will get that help in abundance. “ One more word before 1 conclude, I think a good solicitor means something more than being just a competent and courteous legal adviser. What I mean is, that the real solicitor, a person wortny of membership o f this Society, and o f the nigh pro­ fessional calling, should be the perfect example of good citizenship. “ I f it is not altogether premature, may I take this opportunity of wishing you a very happy Christmas, and much good fortune in the New Year and always I ” Certificates were presented to the following :— D aniel J. C ourtney , 24 Henn Street, Killarney, Co. Kerry. D onal P aul G a lla gh er , B.A ., LL.B . (N.U.I.), Donegal. J oseph G la ckin , 35 Nottingham Street, Dublin. G ordon W. K err J ohnston , B.A. (Mod.), LL.B. (T.C.D.), 13 Laburnum Road, Clonskeagh, Dublin. P atrick . C. K ilroy , M .A. (N.U.I.), 4 Greenview Terrace, Callan, Co. Kilkenny. L eo J oseph L oftus , B.A. (N.U.I.), Ballina, Co. Mayo. B ryan M aguire , B.A. (N.U.I.), Golden, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. J ohn M ich ael M c E voy , The Avenue, Gorey, Co. Wexford. B rian K ingsbury O verend , 152 Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, : Dublin. T imothy R yan , 256 North Circular Roadx Dublin. F rans H. van der L ee , B.A., LL.B. (T.C.D.), 142 Stillorgatr Road, Donnybro'ok, Dublin. C ornelius . R iordan , B.A., LL.B. (N.U.I.), Kitsboro’, Carrigrohanc, Col Cork. W illiam M ichael C o rrigan , 17 GreenparU, Orwell Road, •Rathgar.