The Gazette 1977

GAZETTE

OCTOBER- 1977

14.7 An Opinion was taken from Counsel on the entitlement of Northern Ireland Solicitors to practise in the Republic. The case was subsequently re-submitted to Counsel to take account of the E.E.C. Lawyers Directive, and this further Opinion was noted. The Department of Justice have been advised on the Opinion. 14.8 V.A.T. on legal services became an issue during the year in the light of proposals emerging from Brussels. A Meeting was arranged with the Revenue Commissioners and it was understood from this discussion that in the case of Irish lawyers there would be a derogation from the Directive for a period of five years, and possibly a further derogation after that period. 14.9 The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee was requested to attend a Colloquy on European Law on the subject of "Forms of Public Participation in the preparation of Legislative and Administrative Acts" in October 1977. Mr. Garrett Sheehan and a representative of the Council attended a Council of Europe Meeting with representatives of Bar Associations of the nineteen members of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg in October 1977, on Human Rights legislation within the Member States. 14.10 The Committee gave active consideration during the year to establishment of an Irish Solicitors' European Group. The objective would be to liaise with a similar group recently established in Northern Ireland and with the standing Group in London, part of the English Law Society. It has been decided in principle that the matter be raised with the Society of Young Solicitors to ascertain if the establishment of such a body could be effected. 14.11 The Committee considered other matters, such as the introduction of an identity card for lawyers within the Community, the effect of Irish Firms opening Offices abroad and Foreign Firms opening Offices in Ireland, the attendance by Irish Solicitors at the International BarAssociation Meeting in Australia in 1978, and the effect of the Law Society joining the International Chamber of Commerce. Particular thanks are expressed by the Committee to the Administration of the Law Society, and especially to the Committee Secretary, Miss Margaret Byrne, who patiently effected the transition from the previous year, and who successfully monitors the minutes and agenda of the Committee from one meeting to another.

COMPANY LAW COMMITTEE

Brian J. O'Connor

Chairman

Walter Beatty Anthony E. Collins Francis D. Daly Michael G. Dickson Mary Finlay

15.1 The work of the Company Law Committee in the year has been twofold. Firstly, a review of the technical operation of the Companies Act 1963 was completed. This has been submitted to the Department of Industry, Commerce and Energy for consideration. Comments were also submitted to the Department on submissions by other bodies on the same topic. 15.2 The second aspect of the Committee's work has continued to be in the area of Harmonisation of European Company Law. Here, the main activity has been the Third Draft Directive on National Mergers. The Community appears to be inactive in other areas. However, the coming year is expected to be important for Company Law in Ireland. The draft legislation to implement the Second Directive on Company Law is expected soon. Furthermore, the new government can be expected, once again, to introduce a Mergers and Monopolies bill. It is to be hoped that it will be an improvement both on its own bill when last in office and on that of the coalition.

Houghton Fry Michael Irvine Patrick Kilroy

James M. O'Dwyer Laurence K. Shields

Brian J. O'Connor. Chairman

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