The Gazette 1967/71

Federation of Professional Associations The following were reappointed as the Society's Delegates to the Federation of Professional Associations: Brendan A. McGrath, Bruce St. J. Blake, Dermot Walsh, Eric A. Plunkett. King's Hospital The Council heard a report from the Committee dealing with the Society's premises King's Hospital. An outline of a scheme for the development and utilisation of these premises prepared by the Society's Architect Mr. Raymond McGrath was considered. The Council indicated that the plans should be made available at Solicitors' Buildings for inspection by the Mem bers. Comments from interested persons or bodies would be welcome. 8th INTERIM REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COURT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE The report deals with two topics: 1. Service of Court Documents by Post The Committee recommend that the Rules of the Superior Courts should make provision for service of documents by ordinary prepaid post. The documents should be enclosed in a sealed envelope marked on the outside "Court Document" and endorsed with the sender's name and address. An unsworn certificate of service to be given by the person who posted the letter not earlier than ten days after posting should be acceptable proof of service. The Certificate of Service would state inter "alia" that the document had not been returned undelivered to the sender and would have annexed an official Post Office certificate of ordinary posting. The Committee further recommend that documents which are required by the rules of the Superior Court be lodged in the Court Offices for filing should be lodged by ordinary prepaid post. A logical corollary to the abolition of the present rules relating to service is that a Solicitor should no longer be required to have a place of business within a radial distance of two miles from the Four Courts as at present and accordingly the Committee recommend that this rule be abolished. 2. Fees of Professional Witnesses. The Committee also considered the fees allowable to professional witnesses on party and party taxation. Referring to the scale of fees 118

Professional Negligence The Society have been asked by the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure to submit a Memorandum on the Professional Negligence of Barristers and Solicitors. A sub-Committee of the Council was appointed to prepare the Memorandum. Senator John J. Nash and William M. Cahir were appointed to the sub-Committee. 13th March 1969: The President in the Chair, also present Messrs. Ralph J. Walker, Desmond J. Collins, Robert McD. Taylor, T. V. O'Connor, Francis J. Lanigan, James R. C. Green, John C. O'Carroll, John" Maher, John O'Meara, William A. Osborne, Peter E. O'Connell, Daniel J. O'Connor, Rory O'Connor, Christopher Hogan, Bruce St. J. Blake, Bernard J. Carroll, Thomas Jackson Jnr., Gerald Hickey, Senator John J. Nash, Walter Beatty, T. E. 0'Donnell, Gerald Y. Goldberg and Peter D. M. Prentice. Disciplinary Committee The Council decided to submit the name of John Maher to the President of the High Court for appointment to the Disciplinary Committee in place of Mr. Peter D. M. Prentice who has indicated his intention to resign from the Disciplinary Committee. 17th April 1969: The President in the chair, also present Augustus Cullen, William A. Osborne, John Maher, Gerald Hickey, Brendan A. McGrath, Desmond Moran, Gerald Y. Goldberg, Gerard M. Doyle, William M. Cahir, Thomas Jackson Jnr., James R. C. Green, Peter D. M. Prentice, Patrick Noonan, Walter Beatty, Gerald J. Moloney, Desmond J. Collins, James W. O'Donovan, Peter E. O'Connell, John J. Nash, Daniel J. O'Connor, Christopher Hogan, Bruce St. J. Blake, Joseph L. Dundon, Francis Armstrong, T. V. O'Connor, John B. Jermyn, P. C. Moore, John Carrigan, Patrick O'Donnell, Ralph J. Walker. Registry of Deeds Telephones. The Council considered the inadequacy of the telephone arrangements at the Registry of Deeds and the difficulty frequently experienced by Members in trying to get searches made by telephone. It was decided that the Secretary should write to the Department of Justice and the Commissioners of Public Works with a view to having several additional Public telephones installed in the Registry.