The Gazette 1955-58

PROCEEDINGS AGAINST SOLICITORS.

particularly severely by the legal profession and its clients. Since 1922 efforts have been made to repair the losses so far as possible by obtaining substitutes for destroyed documents, especially original probates and official copies of testamentary documents. An appeal to solicitors to deposit in the Public Record Office any such documents in their possession not currently needed was issued by the Government in 1924, and in 1926 a further appeal by the Assistant Deputy Keeper was published in the Law Society's journal. Many solicitors and others responded generously to this appeal, with the result that in the testamentary section there are now over 10,000 of such substitute documents, which applicants have often made use of in the absence of the originals. The donors of these documents have thus done a valuable public service. It is greatly to be hoped that such presentations will continue in the future, for it seems likely that further substitute documents might still be collected. The Keeper of Records will be extremely grateful if anyone possessing documents of this kind would deposit them in the Public Record Office, either permanently or temporarily. In the case of temporary deposits, copies would be made and the originals returned to the lenders. Original probates and administrations and certified copies are of special value, but plain copies and extracts are also worth preservation owing to their genealogical interest. Copies of any legal documents obtained from the Public Record Office before 1922 are also valuable, e.g., extracts or copies from census returns, patents, hearth money rolls, Exchequer and Chancery bills and pleadings, and marriage licence bonds. Donors will always, of course, be able to inspect documents presented by them and to obtain certified copies free of charge. DECISIONS OF PROFESSIONAL INTEREST. ^Solicitors' Common Law privilege and obliga- ~ tion not to disclose professional com' munications. An important decision has recently been given by the High Court in New Zealand on the question of a solicitor's obligation to supply information concerning clients' affairs to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. The defendant was a solicitor who was charged with an offence under section 149 of the New Zealand Income Tax Act, 1923, of failing or refusing to furnish in writing information and to produce documents which the Commissioner considered necessary or relevant for a purpose

Pursuant to an Order of the Chief Justice made under Section 3 5 of the Solicitors Act (Ireland), 1898, the name of Michael T. Davis who formerly practised at 107 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, has been struck off the roll. Pursuant to Orders of the Disciplinary Com– mittee under Section 18 of the Solicitors Act, 1954, the names of the following solicitors have been struck off the roll: Robert F. Coonan, Naas, Co. Kildare. William J. Carlos, Galway. By order of the Disciplinary Committee Andrew J. O'Flynn, Solicitor, Gort, Co. Galway, has been suspended for a period of six months from ist July, 1955- SOLICITORS' GOLFING SOCIETY. THE Autumn Meeting will be held at Royal Dublin Golf Club on Thursday, 29th September, 1955, when the following competitions will be played (Stableford). 1. Incorporated Law Society Challenge Cup (handicap limit 18) with prize presented by Mr. T. A. O'Reilly, President of the Law Society and the Golfing Society. Prize for the runner-up presented by the Golfing Society. 2. Ryan Cup (handicaps 13 and over) with prize for winner and runner-up. 3. There will also be prizes for (a) First Nine, (b} Second Nine, (