The Gazette 1907-8

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

[DEC., 1907

66

MR. QUAID said he thought some action ought to be taken by the Council in regard to the system of—should he say—tendering, which was practised by some solicitors in the country. They all knew that fees were prescribed by the Trish Bar, and if any members were undercutting their brethren, it would be a matter for a disciplinary body to take action. Something similar should be done in reference to a solicitor offending, and he should be called on to explain why he did it. That would very soon put a stop to it. MR. QUINTIN KENNEDY said he was sure he was voicing the feeling of every mem ber of the profession, when he expressed cordial thanks for the work done during the year. It was a record year, and their report should bring in many more members. He thought the new Council should press the claims of the profession to have solicitors appointed Resident Magistrates. He thought they had merit to fill the office above all others, and they should press their claim home. Out of seventy-two Resident Magistrates, he believed there was only one a solicitor. THE PRESIDENT said he might answer a few of the observations that had been made. Mr. Brady alluded to the question of having a shorthand-writer attached to certain Courts, and he thought a great many agreed with every word he said. He might tell them that he was speaking recently to one of the Judges, and he alluded to the same matter, and used to a large extent the same arguments in support of such an appointment; so that the matter was receiving the attention of the Judges, and possibly the present Council would go further into the matter. Mr. M. J. Byrne alluded to the question of stamp duty on conveyances, and referred to some letter that had been written, but he certainly did not remember any such letter, and the Secretary corroborated him. If any such letter had been written, it did not reach them. He could assure Mr. Byrne that if an important matter like that came before the Council, they would deal with it. Land-purchase delays had been dealt with so fully that he need not go into that again. Mr. Kennedy had alluded to the appointment of Resident Magistrates, which he was sure would have the attention of the Council just elected. The report was then adopted. MR. QUAID moved': "That this general meeting of the In corporated Law Society is of opinion that the dignity of the Solicitor Profession will be

much impaired if determined action is not taken by the Council of this Society to protect members of the profession in the verv frequent cases occurring of detrimental utterances and action by the Bench in relation to Solicitors." He referred to instances in which members of the profession had not been fairly treated by the magisterial bench. He would suggest that the matter should be brought before the Council, and that action should be taken when any cases of the kind occurred. The motion was not seconded, and ac cordingly fell through. THE PRESIDENT said he thought he might mention that if cases were brought before the Council where it appeared that the dignity of the profession was assailed, the Council would at once take action (hear, hear). The following motion was received from Mr. Rooney :— "That Rule 29 of the By-laws of the In corporated Law Society of Ireland, made and ordained at a Special Meeting of Members of the Society, held on the z8th February, 1889, be rescinded, and that the following Rule be substituted in lieu thereof. " ' 29. The Council, exclusive of the extra ordinary members and provincial delegates, shall consist of thirty-one members of the Society who shall be called the ordinary members, and shall be chosen by a majority of votes as follows, viz.:—Ten from Class i, hereinafter mentioned; eleven from Class 2, hereinafter mentioned; and ten from Class 3, hereinafter mentioned. And in case of two or more members in the same class having an equal number of votes, their priority shall be decided by lot by the Scrutineers. The Council shall hold office until their successors are appointed.' " That the following addition be made to Rule 30 of the said Bye-laws, the addition to precede the word " every " at the beginning of Rule 30. " ' The candidates for election as ordinary members of the Council shall be divided into three classes. Class i shall consist of members of the Society admitted not less than seven years or more than seventeen years previous to the date of election. Class 2 shall consist of members of the Society admitted not less than seventeen years or more than twenty-seven years previous to the date of election. Class 3 shall consist of members of the Society admitted not less than twenty-seven years previous to the date -of election,'