The Gazette 1964/67

Patrick J. McMahon, B.C.L., LL.B., Elizabeth M. J. O'Donnell, Thomas A. O'Donnell, Josephine M. E. O'Meara, B.C.L., Eleanor O'Rourke, B.C.L.,

At the Book-keeping Examination for appren tices to solicitors held on 28th February the follow ing candidates passed: Passed with merit: 1. Anthony C. Hayes, 2. William O. H. Fry, 3. Brian J. Magee. Passed: Henry C. Blake, B.A., John H. Dockrell, William C. Gavin, B.A., Matthew J. Mitchell, B.A., Bren- dan J. McDonnell, Francis J. O. McGuinness, B.A., B.C.L., H.Dip. in Ed., John J. Tully. 16 candidates attended; 10 passed. At the First Law Examination for apprentices to solicitors held on the 7th and 8th days of February the following candidates passed : Roger Ballagh, James S. Baylor, Colm A. Cavanagh, Scan P. Corrigan, Joan E. M. Daly, Rosemary Durcan, Laurence R. Egan, Thomas F. Farrell, Thomas D. Fleming, Conor C. Foley, Michael H. Gleeson, B.C.L., John McMahon Glynn, Anthony T. Hanahoe, John F. Hayes, Elizabeth Heffernan, Desmond J. Houlihan, Henry Murphy, B.A., Kieran M. F. Murphy, James M. O'Dwyer, Anthony F. O'Rourke, Avice Redmond, Esmond Reilly, Aveen M. J. Smith, Charles C. R. M. de Lacey Staunton. 47 candidates attended; 24 passed. The Centenary Prize was not awarded. At the Second Law Examination for apprentices to solicitors held on the 7th and 8th days of February the following candidates passed: Passed with merit: 1. Joseph G. Finnegan, B.C.L., LL.B., 2. Niall P. Connolly, B.C.L. Passed: Fergus Armstrong, B.C.L., Marguerite Boland, B.C.L., Ann M. T. Coady, B.C.L., David Cox, B.C.L., Catherine P. V. Doyle, B.C.L., Michael P. A. Farrell, B.C.L., John P. Gaffney, B.C.L, James Heney, B.C.L., Raphaeline A. E. Hoey, Pamela Forrest Hussey, Alan V. Kelly, Michael J. A. Kelly, Gerard Kirwan, B.C.L., George G. Mullan, B.C.L., Peter F. R. Murphy, Oliver D. McArdle, Donal T. McAuliffe, Francis J. O. McGuinness, B.A., B.C.L, .H.Dip. in Ed., Marie Noonan, Bren- dan O'Mahony, Michael J. O'Shea, Gerald B. Sheedy, B.C.L., Angela M. Sweetman, B.A. 37 candidates attended; 25 passed. At the Third Law Examination for apprentices to solicitors held on the 9th, 10th and llth days of February the following candidates passed: Philomena Armstrong, B.C.L., Francis D. Daly, B.C.L., John H. Dockrell, John M. Fitzpatrick, Mary M. Harvey, B.C.L., Michael A. Lucas, Mat thew Mitchell, B.A., L.Ph., Joseph Molony, B.C.L.,

Ann O'Toole, Mary P. Tighe, B.A. 20 candidates attended; 15 passed. By Order

ERIC A. PLUNKETT Secretary

Solicitors' Buildings, Four Courts, Dublin 7. 24th March 1966.

THE PROS AND CONS OF FUSION—II There has been a good deal of discussion and controversy in recent months on the "reform"' of the legal professions by amalgamating the two professional bodies so that solicitors can practise as barristers and vice versa. In my view, if any legislation is introduced by the Government to effect amalgamation, it would bemost irrespon sible as any benefits resulting from amalgamation would be far outweighed by the disadvantages. I have had a number of years' experienc of both systems; in Ireland as a solicitor and in Canada, where the professions are united, as a barrister and solicitor. There are advantages and disadvantages of the fused system and in Canada the system works satisfactorily. It is a fallacy to suggest, however, that because the system works in Canada and other parts of the New World, that it would be better in Ireland. In Canada, as in the United States, the pro fessions have always been united and in the earlier pioneer days it was neither economical nor practi cal to have two professions. In many parts of North America this position is still true today as specialisation is not warranted in areas of sparse population. In some of the smaller cities of Canada, there is specialisation in some fields of law but in the larger centres there is a high degree of specialisation. For example, there are many firms in Toronto that take counsel work by refer ence only, likewise there are tax specialists, com pany law experts and so on. In effect, there is a greater division of the legal professions in many parts of Canada than exists in Ireland. One of the features of specialisation in them North American system is the high cost to the public. This is true in both the medical and legal professions. Professional men tend to form large partnerships and while the medical or legal skill that is available to patients or clients is of the highest order the fees are extremely high. 99