The Gazette 1958-61

so far as the difficulty is caused by the steady increase in the cost of living figure and overhead expenses such as rates and taxes the solution is not under the control of the profession itself. It is, however, obvious that there are a number of outmoded practices and procedures in solicitors' offices and in their dealings with other offices and Government and Court departments which could be discontinued or improved with a view to saving expense. The committee will consider the matter under the following heads : 1. Improvements which could be effected by changes in the internal organisation of solicitors' offices and by cooperation among practitioners. 2. Improvements in the procedure of Government and Court offices with a view to saving time and effort by solicitors and their staffs. The following are examples of the kind of pro posals which might be considered under head i : The simplification of the system of drawing and furnishing bills of costs in contentious and non- contentious matters. Standardisation of the common clauses in agree ments (as distinct from the special stipulations as to title) and their adoption by the profession under copyright by the Law Society. A uniform size for deeds, Court forms and paper used in solicitors' offices for notices, affidavits and briefs which would be suitable for filing, photo copying, etc. The extension by solicitors to colleagues by mutual arrangement of facilities with a view to saving unnecessary copying of documents. The best known example is the practice of furnishing a carbon copy of requisitions on title for use by the vendor's solicitor. With the advent of modern typewriters capable of producing upwards of six carbon copies at a time such facilities might be extended to the pooling of resources in litigation so that each solicitor by agreement with his opposite number would supply the requisite number of extra copies of documents originating in his own office. As regards the matters under head 2, it appears to the Council that the Rules of Court and practices in various Government offices ought to be amended with a view to avoiding the necessity of personal attendance in matters which could be dealt with quite satisfactorily by the use of the telephone and the postal service. Examples are : The extension by the Revenue Commissioners of facilities for transmission of deeds by post to Dublin Castle for stamping. These facilities are now available to country solicitors but have not been extended to Dublin. The substitution of adhesive for impressed stamps in documents filed in the High Court.

The amendment of the Rules of Court to provide for the filing and issue of summonses, pleadings and other documents by registered post instead of personal attendance. The service of all documents issuing from the Courts by registered post instead of personal service where the document is to be served on a solicitor on record for the other party. The transmission of deeds and memorials by registered post to the Registry of Deeds for registra tion. The Committee invite suggestions from Bar Associations and individual practitioners on the matters within their terms of reference. No sugges tion will be rejected merely because it seems revolutionary or unusual. The matter is rather urgent as the Superior Courts Rules Committee is at present engaged in the final revision of the new rules which will be substituted for the Rules of The Supreme Court 1905. The Committee wish to submit a report to the Rules Committee before the new rules have been finally settled. ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING An ordinary general meeting of the Society will be held in the Library, Solicitors' Buildings, Four Courts, Dublin on Thursday 26th May, 1960 at 2.30 o'clock p.m. SOLICITORS' GOLFING SOCIETY OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE—SEASON 1960 President: Mr. John J. Nash (President I.L.S.I.)' Captain: Mr. "William A. Tormey (Athlone). Hon. Treasurer: Mr. John J. O'Dwyer. Hon. Secretary : Mr. Gerard M. Doyle. Committee : Mr. David Bell, Mr. William Menton, Mr. John Maher, Mr. J. J. O'Connor (Dublin), Mr. Gerald Hickey, Mr. J. J. O'Connor (Thurles), Mr. T. McKeever, Mr. M. T. Neary, Mr. Eugene Gillan, Mr. J. C. Griffin, Mr. L. K. Branigan (Ex Officio). The Spring Meeting of the Society and Captain's Prize was held at Athlone Golf Club (by kind permission) on Saturday, yth May 1960. Members dined afterwards in Hudson Bay Hotel (adjoining Golf Course). Annual Subscription £i now due payable to : Hon. Treasurer: Mr. John J. O'Dwyer, 15 D'Olier Street, Dublin or Hon. Secretary : Mr. Gerard M. Doyle, 50 Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin. Further information from Hon. Secretary.