The Gazette 1933-36

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

JUNE, 1933]

7

hearing something interesting from him and his remarks were always listened to with attention and respect. COURTS OF JUSTICE ACT. You will have noticed that the Govern– ment intend introducing at an early date a Bill to amend the Courts of Justice Act, and in anticipation of this measure being introduced, the Council have been con– sidering the recommendations contained in the Report of the Joint Committee of the Oireachtas, and we have submitted certain suggestions arising out of that Report to the Minister for Justice for his consideration. In a speech made by the Minister for Justice at a Dinner given to him by members of the Dublin District and Circuit Courts Bar Association last week, he is reported in the Press to have stated that when the draft of this Rill was ready our Profession and other persons interested would be consulted in order that their views might be given every possible consideration. The Minister is also reported to have said that no Minister of the Government should try to devise legislation without contact with the people whom that legislation will affect. The members of our Profession are grateful to the Minister for this announce– ment, and when the draft of this Bill is submitted to us it will receive our most careful consideration, and, if necessary, we shall submit further suggestions for his consideration, which, we trust, will be beneficial to both our profession and to the members of the public. CIRCUIT COURT RULES. The new Circuit Court Rules have now been in operation since the 1st January, 1932, and although they have worked satis– factorily, I believe that certain defects have now become apparent which should be remedied at the earliest possible moment in order to insure the smooth working of the machinery of the Circuit Courts. When these Rules were finally approved of by the Committee who drafted them, it was anticipated that certain difficulties might arise which could be overcome by the Committee being brought together again for the purpose of amending or adding to the Rules as they now exist.

DELAYS IN CIRCUIT COURT. It was brought to the notice of the Council that there was a large arrear of defended cases awaiting hearing in the Dublin Circuit Courts, and on enquiry, which I have recently made, I have been informed that there are at present 325 cases for hearing, all of which have been set down for trial for a considerable time. We have two most courteous, energetic and painstaking Judges attached permanently to these Courts, but, unfortunately, the services of both of them are not available exclusively for civil business, one or other having to sit frequently and for long periods at Green Street for criminal work. When Circuit Judge Moonan was appointed it was hoped that he would be assigned to the Dublin Circuit, but, unfortunately, his services have only been available for very short periods in the Dublin Circuit Courts, and I am of opinion that ttnless the Govern– ment can arrange that two Circuit Judges are continually available to transact the civil business there will always be an arrear of work in the Dublin Circuit Courts. APPOINTMENTS. The important post of Minister for Justice in the present Government has been filled by the appointment of Mr. Patrick J. Ruttledge, a Solicitor who had a large practice in the County of Mayo, and who was Auditor to the Solicitors' Apprentices' Debating Society in the year 1916-17. We can congratulate our– selves'that a member of our Profession was called on to occupy this important position. It is also pleasing to note that Mr. Daniel J. Browne, Solicitor, of Tralee, has been recently appointed Secretary to the Department of Justice. Mr. Browne was a distinguished member of our Profession and obtained a Gold Medal at the Final Examination in 1917. It is a matter of great satisfaction to us that these two most important offices should be filled by members of our Profession, and we trust that the Government, in making other appointments, will continue to consider the claims of our Profession.