The Gazette 1958-61

with a view to facilitating solicitors and their clients. A circular had been sent to all the Bar associations and on the basis of the replies received from a number of them an interim report had been prepared for submission to the Departments of Justice and Finance, the Revenue Commissioners and the Rules Committee of the Courts of Justice. If the procedure in departments with which solicitors have to deal can be simplified it may be possible to speed up work and reduce operating expenses. The Committee are continuing their work and will present a further report. Week-end meeting of the Society It was decided that the next weekend meeting of the Society should be held in Galway in May or June 1961 subject to making the necessary local arrangements. APPOINTMENT OF LECTURERS AND SPECIAL EXAMINERS Mr. Joseph P. O'Connell, LL.B., solicitor, Dublin has been appointed as lecturer and special examiner on the law of wills and probate and executorship law and practice. Mr. Richard M. Neville, B.L., has been appointed as lecturer on the procedure and practice of the Courts of Justice and special examiner in that subject and on criminal law and evidence. OFFICE FACILITIES FOR SOLICITORS The Council are considering a project for a general service under the auspices of the Society to provide greater facilities for the conduct of solicitors' offices. The principal need at the moment is the establishment of a costs drawing service. A vacancy may shortly arise in connection with the scheme. Applications from suitable persons (including solicitors) should be sent to the Secretary of the Society, Solicitors' Buildings, Four Courts, Dublin. Canvassing is prohibited. SOLICITORS' OPERATING EXPENSES A special committee of the Council has been set up to investigate ways and means of reducing solicitors' office expenses. The committee have wide terms of reference and are authorised to examine and report upon any proposal or suggestion which would enable solicitors to operate their offices more economically. The cost of running an office has risen steeply in the past twenty years and the matter is receiving serious attention by the Council in the interests of the profession and its clients. In 90

will be placed in a position of embarrassment with the insurance company and their English agents, through whom the policy was taken out if they are obliged to hand over the assets with a resulting claim against the insurance company. They asked for advice as to whether they would be at liberty to notify the insurance company through their agents so that the latter might look after their own interests. The Council on a, report from a committee stated that members are entitled to notify the insurance company through their agents that the client is about to terminate their retainer in the matter and to take over the assets. Purchase of practice of County Registrar A member purchased the practice of CD a solicitor who was appointed County Registrar and enquired whether he will be entitled to adopt the firm name of CD & Co., with his own name underneath. The Council stated that there was no objection to the suitable persons for a costs drawing scheme under the auspices of the Society. The advertisement appears in this issue at page 90. Compulsory acquisition of property. Costs of negotiations and arbitration as to price It was decided that the Dublin Corporation and the arbitrator under the Acquisition of Lands (Assessment) Act, 1919 should be asked to receive a deputation on the subject of the costs paid by the Corporation in respect of negotiations where the price is settled without recourse to arbitration and also the practice of fixing the costs of arbitration without taxation. Road Traffic Acts. Costs of defending prosecution A member wrote stating that local insurance agents representing brokers had refused to pay the minimum fees recommended in the Society's GAZETTE, April, 1959 and stated that their principals in company with other insurers will not pay more than a maximum fee of £3 $s. The Council decided to take the matter up with the brokers. Organization and method The Council considered a report from the Policy Committee on the subject of modernising the procedure in various Government and other offices use of such a firm name. Costs drawing service The Council directed the publication of an advertisement inviting enquiries from