The Gazette 1967/71

ing to keep one abreast of changing law and complexities thereof. Long may this Society continue to prosper. Tlic Solicitors' Benevolent Association It would be remiss of me in my office of Secretary of the Solicitors' Benevolent Association were I to allow this opportunity to pass without commending it to you and through you to the entire profession for support and to request that particularly through your Bar Associations you might seek out those in your areas who may not at present be members. I can assure you although we appear to be moving slowly towards a welfare state, there is still extreme poverty, which may not always be apparent, and if persons deserving of support are known to any of you 1 would urge you to communicate with me on their behalf as sometimes there is a natural shyness and reluctance on the part of such persons who have known better days. New Legislation I would like to draw particular attention to the fact that the Council is and always has been most anxious to assist the Government of the day in considering contemplated legislation. We are able lo provide experts in almost every field who also have the important adjunct of both administrative i'.nd practical experience. With the numerous enactments passed annually, it is difficult to be continually on the alert and to devote sufficient time to a perusal of every enactment and amendment. I would appeal therefore to the Government to note our good will and our hope that our voluntary services would be availed of, preferably before Bills are introduced. Once a Bill has been introduced the matter automatically become a political issue and our intervention at that stage can be a source of embarrassment to us as we have no political axe to grind, and are only actuated by the highest motives. If it should com mend itself to the Government to establish a con sultative group we would be happy to join with any other organisations and play our full part. 1 personally feel that time and public money might be saved in the long run. Criminal Legal Aid Scheme The Council and the members of the Legal Aid Panel are far from satisfied with the situation

which exists under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. With some reluctance the Council requested the profession to implement the scheme at what were patently inadequate rates on a temporary basis. Two years was mentioned and have since passed. It is quite plain that because of the inadequacy of the fees this scheme will simply die if our representations for reasonable remuneration are not fairly and swiftly met. Delay in Government Departments I need hardly say that one of the more mundane occupations of our Secretary is from time to time to press certain Government Departments to speed up the processing of work. Most of the com plaints concern the Land Registry, the Registry of Deeds, the Estate Duty Office,, the Accountants Office and the Probate Office. Although the Law's delays are well known -it should be said again and stressed in no uncertain manner, in fairness to our profession that we very frequently are blamed for matters outside our control. The most serious causes of complaint arise in connection with the Land Registry. The time taken to perform the more important operations is: (a) Opening a Freehold Folio, minimum one year, (b) Transfer, two to four months, (c) Trans fer involving Sub-Division of Folio, 9 to 12 months, (d) Procuring copy map, 3 to 6 months, (e) Procuring Certified copy Folio, 1 to 2 months. It is sad that this should be a source of trouble because it would remove a common cause of complaint by the public of unnecessary compli cations and delays in conveyancing were the simpler procedure of the Land Registry, which the Society have always supported, to function properly. Although we would be remunerated on a lower scale where registered property is con cerned 1 am satisfied that if the simpler procedure of the Land Registry were only to function smoothly and swiftly the turnover of business would be increased with beneficial effect to our profession. It is therefore again pointed out that we have never opposed this simpler scheme of conveyancing. We are, however, distressed to note the high cost of administering the Land Registry for which of course the public has to pay and which cost, like that of running our own offices, apparently must increase still more. One of the main causes of delay is the fact that expert staff are required and are difficult to obtain yet the number of