The Gazette 1964/67

the good work for what is a small but most deser ving section of the community." INTERIM AWARD OF DAMAGES The following is an extract taken from a report which appeared in the Daily Telegraph on Thurs day, 10th March 1966 under the heading "Law yers Plan to Reduce Delays in Crash Claims". Steps to reduce the delays of trials for damages arising out of road accidents are outlined in a report published yesterday by Justice, the all- party group of lawyers. As an immediate measure the report recom mends that trials should be split into two stages. The first stage would be held as soon as possible after the accident to decide who was responsible. The court would then have power to make an interim award of damages. But the final assess ment of damages would come at the second stage when the extent and effect of the victim's injuries were precisely known. The report, prepared by a committee of prac tising barristers and solicitors and academic law yers, says that the victim of a road accident might be 'at his wits end' to keep up mortgage instal ments and to meet other family commitments while awaiting the trial. Anxiety might induce him to accept a settlement for far less than he would have received if he could have afforded to wait for the court's award. A two-stage trial would avoid the hardship and inefficiency of the present system. The time gap between the date of the accident and the date of judgment in the High Court varied from between about eighteen months and nine years. The majority of cases came to trial after about three years. Some cases were delayed because of the diffi culty in making a firm medical prognosis of the lasting effects the injuries were likely to have on the plaintiff. Memories of witnesses faded which made it more difficult for the judge to deduce who was to blame for the accident.

that there are many deserving qualified persons whose plight has not been brought to the notice of the directors. Even though further demands may necessitate a realisation of some capital (a course which the directors would feel fully justified in taking) members are requested to bring every such case known to them to the attention of the directors. The vote on a resolution to increase subscrip tions (effective from 1967 inclusive) in the terms of the resolution printed earlier in this report may result in an easing of the general position. "The secretary has recently written to all provin cial directors requesting them in particular to seek new members in their area. A list of the provincial directors appears in the recent Annual Report which was sent to every solicitor on the rolls and the secretary would appreciate if members would co-operate with the provincial directors in every way possible." Meetings of the metropolitan directors for the remainder of this year will be held on the follow ing dates: 4th May; 8th June; 6th July; 5th October; 2nd November; 7th December; and ap plication forms for grants are available from the secretary. These applications are dealt with promptly and cash grants are made of varying sums up to about £175 depending on circum stances. Grants have frequently been made to assist in the education of the children of appli cants or to defray some special item of expense. The directors do not interview applicants or visit them in their homes. "At the recent general meeting the following change of rule was adopted: Members of the Association shall have the option of becoming life or annual members. A payment of fifteen guineas shall constitute a life member, and an annual subscription (in advance) of two guineas, or in the case of apprentices and those admitted less than three years, half a guinea, shall constitute an annual member. An annual member may at any time constitute himself a life member by increasing his current year's subscription to the sum of fifteen guineas. "One reason why this rule was not pressed for ward until now was because of the laready poor response from the profession, but it is sincerely hoped that with the active support of the provin cial directors and the members in their locality that the Association may experience a change for the better so that they can continue and increase

PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE SOLICITORS ACTS

By Order of the President of the High Court of 1st April 1966 the name Richard J. Elgee, Solici tor, George Street, Wexford, has been removed from the roll of solicitors and his bank accounts frozen. By Order of the President of the High Court of 104