The Gazette 1967/71

awarded a Special Certificate to Michael Larkin (B.C.L., LL.B.). " ACT AND BE DAMNED " ATTITUDE IN PARLIAMENT THERE was a " terrible attitude " among Parlia mentarians at present of " act and be damned," said Sir Desmond Heap, the Comptroller and City Solicitor to London Corporation. Those who had to use and understand the Acts of Parliament they passed were not taken into account. The result was that lawyers and others were sinking " more and more into the mud " unravelling the complications and confusions. Sir Desmond was introducing at a Press Con ference in London the first report of the Statute Law Society, which was set up nearly two years ago to make Britain's statute law more intelligible and accessible. A committee headed by Sir Desmond found widespread dissatisfaction among users of the statute law. whether in the professions or local government about how new laws are made and presented. ' Status symbol' With their bulk and complexity professional people were finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the task of advising clients where they stood in relation to the law. Governments appeared to regard the volume of legislation they could pass as a " status symbol." It seemed the current vogue for Ministers was to vie with one another in attempts to push as many and as bulky statutes through Parliament as possible. As a result Bills were rushed through Parlia ment without time for adequate consideration or consultation between the Bill being pushed and its enactment. The report criticises the Government for its secrecy in preparing Bills and its frequent failure to consult outside practitioners and specialist groups about the practical effects of the legislation. Parliamentary draughtmen worked under great pressure but they were unable to challenge a Government Department on fundamental points in their instructions, which were often insufficiently precise. There was inadequate consultation with the Department during the drafting process.

queline Ryan, Denis Shaw, Francis E. Sownian (B.A. (Mod.), LL.B.), Anthony J. Taaffe. 68 Candidates attended ; 54 Candidates passed. At the Book-keeping Examination for appren tices to Solicitors held on the 16;h March, 1970, the following candidates passed : Adrian P. Bourke (B.A., (Mod.), LL.B.), Daniel C. Chambers, Maxwell A. McD. Conry (B.C.L., LL.B.), Patrick J. Cusack, David Maxwell Fitz gerald (B.A.), Michael E. Hanahoe, John L. Jermyn, Charles A. Kelly, Colm P. Mannin, Michael D. Murray, Patrick C. J. Neligan (B.C.L.), Ann Margaret Nugent (B..C.L.), Ronan O'Siochain (B.C.L.), Mary T. J. Ryan, Denis F. 16 passed. At the Third Law Examination for apprentices to Solicitors held from the 16th to the 21st Febru ary, 1970, the following candidates passed : Passed With Merit Michael Larkin (B.C.L., LL.B.). Passed Patricia J. Burke (B.C.L.), Patrick F. Burke, Francis O. Callanan (B.C.L.), Martin N. Clarke (B.C.L.), Arthur R. Comyn, Murrough Connellan, Maxwell A. McD. Conry (B.C.L., LL.B.), Christine McAuliffe Curtin (B.C.L.), Francis R. Doris (B.C.L.), Oonagh M. Dowling (B.C.L.), Raymond A. Frost (B.C.L., LL.B.), John D. B. Cannon (B.C.L.), Michael E. Hanahoe, Caren M. V. Healy (B.C.L.), John L. Jermyn, Jane F. Kelly (B.A.), Elizabeth M. Lacy (B.C.L.), William T. Listen (B.Comm.), Mary E. Minch (B.C.L., LL.B.), Desmond Carroll Moran (B.C.L.), Eugene Murphy, Edward B. Neilan, Ann M. Nugent (B.C.L.), Francis G. McArdle, Derek A. McVeigh, Mary V. O'Connell, Timothy O'Driscoll (B.C.L., LL.B.), Edward J. O'Neill, Ronan O'Siochain (B.C.L.), Mary R. A, Quinn, Louise Ryan (B.C.L.), John M. Sexton (B.C.L.), Henry Tighe, Robert P. C.. Williams (B.A.). 39 Candidates attended ; 35 passed. On the combined results of the Second and Third Law examinations the Council have 142 Shaw, Paul B. Smithwick. 20 Candidates attended :