The Gazette 1955-58

missioner of Valuation as it was considered that the delays in that office were the cause of the delays which occur in the Estate Duty Office and the Stamp Office. A statement agreed between the Council and the Commissioner of Valuation following a conference is printed in this issue.

give evidence but should obtain a direction from the Court. Part-time solicitors to local authorities. Fixed retainer. A MEMBER applied for a waiver under regulations 8 and 9 of the Professional Practice Regulations to enable him to act for a local authority on a part time basis at a fixed salary. It was stated that the arrange ment was temporary pending the making of a permanent appointment. A waiver was issued limited to a period of six months and member was informed that it would not be renewed. Solicitor acting for vendor and purchaser. A MEMBER acting for vendor and purchaser in two sales, one by public auction and the other by private treaty, enquired whether he would be entitled to charge the full commission scale fee against both vendor and purchaser. The Council approved of a report of a committee which stated : (a) as regards the sale by public auction member- is entitled to charge the full commission scale fee to both vendor and purchaser if the work mentioned in the schedule to S.R.G.O. 1951 is substantially performed. (h) The position is the same on a sale and purchase by private treaty but where a solicitor acts for both vendor and purchaser the committee thought he would not be entitled to charge the negotiation fee against the purchaser. Family arrangement. Sale by personal representative. A MEMBER extracted letters of administration to an estate which included registered land valued and accepted for death duty purposes at £1,5 50 at which price the personal representative with the consent of the other persons entitled had agreed to purchase and had directed member to have the property transferred into the name of his nephew. Member- enquired whether he was entitled to charge the commission scale fee. The Council approved of the report of a committee which stated that on the facts submitted the transaction between the personal representative and his nephew was essentially a sale and that member will be entitled to charge the commission scale fee provided that the work specified in the schedule to the General Order is substantially performed on the sale and purchase. If the work specified in the Schedule was not substantially performed Schedule 2 would apply. Delays in Government Departments. ARISING out of the resolution passed at the last ordinary General Meeting of the Society a deputation was appointed to seek an interview with the Com­

SOLICITORS' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION

THE Directors invite Applications for the Office of Secretary. Last date for Applications 3151 March. Particulars from the under-signed. PATRICK GLYNN, Secretary, 22 Nassau Street, Dublin. COMMISSION ON WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION. THE Minister for Social Welfare has appointed a commission to examine and report on the present system of Workmen's Compensation and the question of replacing it by a scheme of national insurance or otherwise and to make recom mendations. Mr. Patrick F. O'Reilly has been nominated by the Council and appointed by the Minister to serve on the Commission. Bar Associa tions and individual members are invited to send to the Secretary any observations or suggestions which might assist Mr. O'Reilly as a member of the Commission, either on the general policy of the Workman's Compensation Acts or any desirable amendments in matters of detail. THE following regulations are on sale at the Govern" ment Publication Sales Office, G.P.O. Arcade, Dublin. Solicitors Accounts' Regulations, 1955 (S.I. No. 218/1955). Solicitors Act, 1954 (Professional Practice, Conduct and Discipline) Regulations, 1955 (S.I. No. 151/1955). The Council intend to publish the text of these regulations with explanatory notes in a booklet which will be circulated to members. The Council will welcome queries from members and bar associations as to the interpretation of any matters in the regulations which will be of assistance in preparing the booklet. 68 REGULATIONS UNDER THE SOLICITORS' ACT, 1954.