The Gazette 1977

GAZETTE

OCTOBER 1977

successful Solicitors and believe that students who fail to gain entrance on the points system to the Law Faculties, (this year 22 points are required for U.C.D. and 23 points for U.C.C.) may turn out to be quite competent Solicitors upon completion of their studies. 9.6 During the past year, the Committee has endeavoured to work out with the representatives of the University Law Schools a quota system in respect of the 150 places in our Professional Law School, but ultimately negotiations were unsuccessful. 9.7 Subject to further negotiations with the University Law Faculties and subject to approval by the Council, it is the present view of the Education Committee that graduates of whatever faculty, Law Clerks given exemption from the preliminary examination and successful candidates at the preliminary examination will all sit a common entrance examination to the Professional Law School in six law subjects, Contract, Tort, Property, Constitutional Law, Company Law and one other subject. This may be combined with an aptitude test in legal studies and there may be exemption for a limited number of high Honours Law Graduates. 9.8 The Committee is not happy with the situation as it has developed, because when the new education system was set up in October 1975 it was not envisaged that there would ever be a problem of numbers, but, in the light of the present apparently insatiable demand for professional qualifications, there appears to be no alternative to a competitive entrance examination. 9.9 Obtaining a Master, not surprisingly, has become a constant problem: there are too many apprentices in the system and too many applicants. With the approval of the Council, the Committee is seeking a system whereby the number of new apprentices per year will be limited to the number of places available in the Society's Law School and that all apprentices should have the same period of apprenticeship, namely three years. 9.10 Normally the apprentice under the new system will proceed as follows: (i) Spend a three month familiarisation period in his Master's office (ii) spend six months on a full time practical course in the Society's Law School. (iii) spend an eighteen month full time uninterrupted period learning his profession in his Master's office. (iv) spend a four month final period in the Society's Law School dealing in a more specialised way with certain subjects. (v) be admitted as a qualified Solicitor. 9.11 The new apprentice, when he arrives from the Society's Law School into his Master's office, should be of considerable use immediately. Not only will he be (usually) a graduate or of equivalent education and maturity, but the practical bias of the courses in the Law School should ensure that he can begin to apply himself productively for his Master's benefit. If the apprentice is working productively it would seem to follow that he should be paid appropriately. It should be remembered that there will be a limit of 150 apprentices per year and, if the system works as well as it is hoped, Solicitors may find themselves in competition to obtain the services of this new breed.

10.1 This Committee has worked steadily through the year on the planning of the Professional Course and the preparation of the required materials and exercises. 12 Sub-Committees, details of which are given below, were appointed to plan and prepare the content of each subject to be taught in the Professional Law School. 10.2 Mr. Laurence Sweeney was appointed Director of Training early this year and with the assistance of our Education Officer, Mr. Harry Sexton, has worked energetically and enthusiastically with the Committee and its Sub-Committee's in planning and developing the Courses. Mr. Sweeney has qualifications both in Law and Education and has worked on Practical Training Courses in other disciplines. The Committee consider we are fortunate to have obtained his services. 10.3 Mr. Sexton went to Australia, at our request, to participate as a student in the Practical Law Courses operating there, which were the first of their type in the Common Law world and upon which, to some extent, we have based our new Course. The experience with which he has returned and his general enthusiasm and commitment have been a tremendous help and encouragement to the Committee. 10.4 With the introduction of the new Practical Apprenticeship Training System the Committee considers it vital to involve not only the apprentices but their Masters more fully in the system and it is intended to have meetings prior to the commencement of the new course with the Masters of the apprentices who will be entering the Professional Law School. 10.5 I would like to thank all the members of the Education Advisory Committee and the Sub- Committees for their intensive work throughout the year.

EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Maurice R. Curran Chairman

Adrian P. Bourke John F. Buckley Francis D. Daly Ernest B. Farrell Dr. Bryan McMahon David Molony

Rory O'Donnell Garrett Sheehan

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