The Gazette 1952-1955

and ( b ) provided that in case o f doubt as to the title a local authority might deal with the person regis­ tered under the Registration of Title Acts as absolute owner. A circular was sent by the Society to the solicitors who act for local authorities and to the bar association. Having considered the replies to the Society’s circular, the Committee, whose report was adopted, recommended that a letter should be written to the Minister for Local Government stating that the Society opposes the Bill and that by seeking to abolish the investigation o f title it would open the door to fraud. Solicitor’s Office used for Clients’ Business. A member who was a director o f a hire purchase company inquired whether his name might be printed on the company’s notepaper. He was informed that there would be no objection provided that he was not described thereon as a solicitor. He also inquired whether there would be any objection to the business of the hire purchase company being conducted from his office and whether he might act as Secretary to the company. In the Committee’s report, which was adopted, it was stated that there was no objection to members acting as Secretary o f the company and to the use o f his office as the registered office of the company, provided that the business office of o f the company is situated elsewhere. Press Notice o f Telephone Number. T he Council on the report of the Committee expressed the opinion that a solicitor whose name and office number had been accidently omitted from the Directory by the Department of Posts & Tele­ graphs might publish in the press notice of his name, address and telephone number on the same condi­ tions and manner as notices of change of telephone number i.e., one notice in each Irish daily or weekly newspaper circulating in the locality, not having the form or appearance of an advertisement. M embers asked for the opinion o f the Council as to the costs chargeable in cases falling within the extended jurisdiction pending the making o f new scales of costs. The Council expressed the opinion that pending the making of new rules, there is no scale of party and party costs for cases falling within the extended jurisdiction. Members were advised by circular that the absence o f tiew scales of District Court costs would be sufficient reason for continuing to institute proceedings in the Circuit Court until new District Court rules are made. The increased jurisdiction o f the Circuit Court (except in probate actions) appears to be covered by the existing scales Circuit and District Court costs under the New Jurisdiction.

of costs until altered. It is understood that new rules have been made by the District Court Rules Committee and submitted to the Minister for his concurrence. iit h M a r c h : T he President in the chair. Also present: Messrs. John R. Halpin, Vice-President, Arthur Cox, William J. Norman, Ralph J. Walker, Patrick R. Boyd, Henry St. J. Blake, John Carrigan, Thomas A. O’Reilly, Louis E . O’Dea, John J. Sheil, George G. Overend, Derrick M. Martin, Cornelius J. Daly, Charles J. Downing, John Maher, Peter E . O’Connell, Francis J. Gearty, James J. O’Connor, James R. Quirke, Sean O hUadhaigh, Patrick F. O’Reilly, Niall S. Gaffney, Joseph P. Tyrrell, Dermot P. Shaw. The following was among the business transacted : The meeting passed a vote o f condolence with the widow o f the late Mr. Gerald O’Donnell, a member and former Vice-President of the Council. Department o f External Affairs and Foreign Estates. A C ommittee o f the Council reported that repre­ sentatives of the Society discussed with the Depart­ ment o f External Affairs on the form o f the circular in use whereby potential claimants to estates situate abroad are notified by the Department o f their interest. It had come to the Society’s notice that in some cases, possible claimants had been approached by the Gardai who had notified them of their interest and o f the fact that the Department were willing to act for them. It was submitted to the Department that the Gardai should not be used for this purpose, and that the Department, by allowing the Gardai to make these communications were entering into competition with the solicitors’ profession. Following the conference, the Depart­ ment submitted a revised draft o f the letter issued to claimants which the'Committee considered satis­ factory. The Department stated that the only practicable means o f ascertaining the names of the beneficiaries was through the local Gardai, but that they were not committed to this expedient and that if the Society could suggest any better alterna­ tive, it could be considered. In the report o f the Committee, which was adopted, it was stated that the amended draft letter submitted by the Depart­ ment was satisfactory and should be adopted for use both by the Irish consuls abroad and by the Department in Dublin when writing to beneficiaries. If it is necessary to avail of the services of the Gardai in contacting beneficiaries, the Gardai should be instructed merely to take their names and addresses without making any communication to them and to forward the information to the Department. The