The Gazette 1921-25

15

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of. Ireland.

AUGUST, 1924]

The Rt. Hon. THOMAS F. MOLONY (Late Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.) The Council at its meeting on llth June, passed the following resolution, which was subsequently presented to The Right Hon. Thomas F. Molony, at his residence, by the President, accompanied by the Vice- Presidents and the Secretary. Mr. Molony, in reply, expressed his appreciation of the resolution and his cordial thanks to the Council for their action in passing and presenting it to him :— RESOLVED : The Council of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland desire to convey to the Right Hon. Thomas Francis Molony their appreciation of the great services rendered by him to the legal profession during his tenure of the office of Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. The Council realize that at a time when the interests of the legal profession were in serious danger it was through the exertions of the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland that they were safeguarded and preserved. The Council desire to express to the Right Hon. Thomas Francis Molony their cordial thanks for his unvarying courtesy to the Council and to the Solicitors' profession generally, and they tender to him their hearty good wishes for his future happiness, prosperity and welfare. Local Government Bill, 1924. This Bill was introduced in Dail Eireann by the Minister for Local Government on 20th May, and has been read a second time. Under clause 58 it is proposed that Section 8 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1919, be repealed. This section was passed for the protection of then existing local Officers in case of their removal from, or resignation of, office, The standing soli citor of a local authority is specifically included under Section 8. of the Act of 1919, as a pensionable officer. The Bill provides for the abolition of Rural District Councils, and while it provides for the superannuation of " pensionable officers" whose offices are abolished, the Solicitor of a local body is not included in the definition of pensionable officer contained in the Bill. The Council had the Bill under consider ation and it was decided 'to request the

Minister to receive a deputation in reference to the claims of Solicitors for local bodies. The President, the Vice-Presidents -and the Secretary, had an interview with the Minister and Secretary of Local Government, with the result that the Minister undertook to move a clause in Committee on the Bill providing for the protection of those Soli citors to local bodies who are at present protected by Section 8 of the Local Govern ment (Ireland) Act, 1919, and he requested that a draft clause for this purpose be sent to him from the Council, and this has been done. Sheriffs' Fees. Section 15 of the Enforcement of Law (Occasional Powers) Act, 1924, enacts that the Minister for Justice may revise the scale of fees to be paid to Under-Sheriffs. The Council learnt that the Minister intended to issue an Order under the Act greatly increasing the fees payable to the Under- Sheriff on lodgment of fi fas and decrees for execution, and the Council being of opinion that such increase would injuriously affect the recovery of debts, decided to submit their views on the matter to the Minister. The President had an inter view with some of the Under-Sheriffs, and ascertained, that although, they were of opinion the present fees, paid on lodgment,, should be increased, they did not think they should be greatly increased. ^Subsequently the President, with the Secretary, inter viewed the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and informed him of the views of the Under-Sheriffs with whom he had had the' interview and also of the views of the Council,, and he received an assurance that before any Order was issued these views would, be care fully considered. Since this interview the following Order has been made.. by the Minister, and it will be seen that it does not make any alteration in the. fees at, present payable on lodgment oifi-fas, or decrees for execution. Order of Minister for Justice under -Section 15 Enforcement of Law (Occasional) Powers Act, 1924, fixing and revising Scale of Fees chargeable by and, payable to Under-Sheriffs, Bailiffs, and other persons for their services in the execution of Writs Decrees and Orders. WHEREAS by the Enforcement of Law (Occasional Powers) Act, 1924, sections