The Gazette 1958-61

MAYO SOLICITORS' BAR ASSOCIATION

LABOURERS' ACTS COSTS Solicitors' costs in connection with the acquisition of land for the erection of cottages were until ist August, 1957, regulated by rule 51 and 52 of the Labourers (Ireland) Order, 1912 and these rules also provided for the appointment of a, special taxing officer to tax the costs. The rules mentioned ceased to have effect as respects business undertaken by a solicitor on or after ist August, 1957, as provided by the terms in the Labourers Acts (Solicitors' Remuneration) Order, 1957 (S.I. No. 144 of 1957). The object of the change was that solicitors' costs in connection with the acquisition of lands for cottages would be chargeable as from ist August, 1957, on the basis governing costs as between solicitor and client and that they would be taxable by the Taxing Masters of the High Court. Doubts have arisen, however, as to whether the Taxing Masters have power to tax these costs and the matter is under consideration by the Department of Local Government. At the request of the Society the Department has issued a circular to the County Managers suggesting that local authorities might exercise their discretion by settling such bills without taxation or making interim payments or some other suitable arrangement which will avoid any hardship which might arise if the bills or costs were left unpaid pending arrangements to have them taxed. DUBLIN SOLICITORS' BAR ASSOCIATION A meeting of the Council was held on Wednesdays 4th May, 1960. A vote of sympathy was passed on the death of Mr. Patrick R. Boyd, Solicitor, a former Council member of the Law Society and a Director of the Benevolent Association. The Sub-committee drafting a standard form of Auction Particulars and Conditions of Sale reported progress. A Sub-committee consisting of the President, the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Brendan Walshe and Mr. J. B. McGarry was appointed to consider the desirability of revising the Association's rules and of procuring the incorporation of the Association. The attention of members is drawn to the desira bility, in certain cases where damages for infants would be held for a relatively short period, of applying to the Court for liberty to invest all or part of the sum awarded in prize bonds instead of the normal interest yielding securities. The next meeting was fixed for Wednesday, ist June, 1960.

held in the Friday, on The Annual General Meeting was Bar Room, Courthouse, Castlebar, 29th April, 1960. The following Officers were elected for 1960-61 : President: Edward Fitzgerald; Vice President: Patrick J. Mulligan; Hon. Treasurer: Bea M. Hynes ; Hon. Secretary : John F. Garavan. Council: Edward A. Corr ; William Dillon-Leetch ; Thomas V. O'Connor; Patrick J. McEllin and Patrick J. Shanley. The following suggestions were put forward by members as improvements which could be effected to the benefit of the profession. (1) Probate costs should be on percentage scale of the gross assets. (2) That certified cheques be accepted by the Probate Department in lieu of Stamps. (3) That the Bond in papers leading to Grants of Administration should simply contain: " President of the High Court " without including his Christian or surnames. (4) That it should only be necessary to sign the Schedule of Assets at one place, i.e., on Page (i). (5) That the Revenue Commissioners and the Land Registry Officials should type their queries in duplicate. On a general discussion about professional matters, the following resolution was proposed and carried : That the Hon. Secretary inform the Secretary of the Incorporated Law Society that it is the unanimous view of the Association that one Solicitor should not act for both parties in a sale for valuable consideration and that this resolution be introduced on a. national scale with statutory force. CARLOW BAR ASSOCIATION Officers and committee : President: Samuel Roche, Tullow ; Chairman : Hugh O'Donnell, Carlow; Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer : Desmond Early, Carlow. Committee : Francis J. Lanigan, Carlow; Arthur W. Jeffers, Carlow ; Patrick J. Cody, Bagenalstown. SOLICITORS' GOLFING SOCIETY The Spring Meeting of the Society was held at Athlone Golf Club (by kind permission) on Saturday, 7th May, 1960, when an exceptionally fine Prize, presented by the Captain, Mr. W. A. Tormey, was played for. Thirty-five members took out cards, and the scoring generally on a difficult course was of a very high order.