The Gazette 1958-61

Registered land. Costs of purchase of life interest AB the tenant in remainder of registered land purchased the life interest of his mother CD for the sum of £2,000. He was then registered as full owner subject to equities and members enquired whether the commission scale fee is applicable. In a report from a committee it was stated that a life interest in freehold registered land appears to be property within the meaning of schedule i part i, S.R.G.O., 1884 and rule 2 (i) of the Land Registra tion Rules, 1959 and that accordingly a solicitor who, on the instructions of the purchaser, investigates the title of the vender of a life interest in freehold registered land and completes the purchase, carrying out the work specified in the general order would appear to be entitled to charge the appropriate commission under part VII of the Land Registration Rules, 1959. The report is subject to confirmation. prosecution The Council considered a report from a committee on correspondence between members and an insurance company with reference to the recom mended minimum charge of £5 55. od. for defending proceedings under the Road Traffic Act on the instructions of an insurance company. The company undertook responsibility for members' fees but on submission of the bill stated that they could not accept the scale recommended by the Society. It was decided to take the matter up with the institute or association of which the insurance company is a member. Change of solicitors. Apportionment of costs AB took over the conduct of a case from CD and on completion taxed a party and party bill against the other side. The costs so taxed included the costs in respect of the work done by CD. The whole amount of the party and party bill so taxed was received by AB as solicitor for the plaintiff. The solicitor and client costs due by the plaintiff to AB in respect of the proceedings exceeded the amount of the party and party costs for the work included in the bill and the Council were asked for their opinion as to whether (a) AB as solicitor acting for the plaintiff on the notice of change of solicitor and receiving the party and party costs for the entire action is entitled to a lien on the costs as money recovered for the plaintiff as a first charge irrespective of any claim by the first solicitor on record. (&) Whether as a matter of professional etiquette apart from the question of lien a solicitor Road Traffic Act. Costs of defending

receiving in such circumstances should claim a first charge postponing the claim of the first solicitor on the part of the bill relating to the work done by the latter. A committee which considered the facts reported under question (b) that AB should pay to CD the amount of the taxed costs in the bill appropriate to CD's work. The report is subject to confirmation. Solicitor holding publican's licence A member agreed to purchase premises in a country town to which a six day liquor licence was attached for the purpose of office premises. He proposed to sell the licence and asked the opinion of the Council whether he would be entitled to take it into his own name for the purpose of disposing of it. The publican's business will not be conducted in the premises after the completion of sale to member. The Council on a report from a committee stated that there was no professional objection to members obtaining a transfer of the liquor licence for the purpose of disposing of it as soon as possible. Insurance agency in conjunction with solicitor's practice A member enquired whether he would be entitled to circularise his clients to inform them that he carries on an insurance agency in conjunction with his practice. The Council stated that such a circular would be open to objection. SOCIETY'S DINNER DANCE A dinner dance for members and their friends will be held in the Shelbourne Rooms on Thursday, November 24th, the date of the ordinary general meeting. Further particulars will be published in the Society's GAZETTE. Applications from members will be dealt with in order of receipt. Members may apply for tickets for themselves and their friends, price £i 55. od., to include dinner and dance. the entire bill A meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday, 6th July, 1960. The Sub-committee dealing with the drafting of a standard form of Auction Particulars and Conditions of Sale reported progress. The President reported on the meeting between representatives of the Association and of the Belfast Solicitors' Association. It was decided to request the Law Society to reconsider the question of an alteration in the period of the long vacation. The meeting noted 24 DUBLIN SOLICITORS' BAR ASSOCIATION