The Gazette 1967/71

Mr. McGrath advocated a revival of the con cept of the Natural Law as the fundamental principle of, and final authority for, all human positive law. In mediaeval Europe, the English common law remained for many years the chief citadel of the Natural Law. Due, however, to the growth of religious, political and economic individualism, this concept became gradually undermined, and a shallow and improvised rationalism took the place of the objective values of the Natural Law. English legal philosophy be came based on experience. The industrial revolution changed the social and economic fabric of society and the focus of legal change shifted. Bentham, the prophet of laissez-faire, urged that men must be free to exploit the supposedly infinite resources of nature on a competitive basis, and law should aid by removing all obstacles to freedom of contract As history has shown, difficulty was experienced in the realisation of this proposition. The demand for the conservation of resources, problems of health, competition in labour, the urge for economic efficiency and the need for capital trans cending individual resources, led to the entry of the State into economic enterprise transforming law from being a directive force to an instrument of social control. Neither the subjective test of the amoral 'reasonable' man, nor the scientific examination of laws as they exist here and now, nor the factual study of social conditions can provide a satis factory test of the extent to which law conforms to its ultimate purpose and final end. Only a philosophy of law which leads to the understand ing of its true nature, the source of its obligatory character and the essential and intrinsic difference between right and wrong can adequately protect law from error. The Natural Law is the great bulwark of human liberty and the most potent weapon against the extremes of individualism and State absolutism. TRAINING IN COMMUNICATIONS Members of the profession in the course of their professional life, or in connection with other interests, may be invited to appear on television

or in radio presentations. The majority are aware that the standard techniques of public speaking do not apply to either of these media and some specialist training is necessary. Facilities for this training are being widely used in industry, by trade unions and by the clergy. To provide similar facilities for solicitors the Society is planning a course at the Communica tions Centre, Booterstown, Dublin. This is ex pected to be a five night practical course (three hours per night) and the fee will be £10, payable by the member through the Society. The course will be limited to 30 participants. Members who are interested in this development are asked to in form the Secretary as soon as possible in order that arrangements may be completed. LOCAL AUTHORITIES SOLICITORS ASSOCIATION The Annual General Meeting of this Associa tion will be held on Friday, 2nd April, 1971 at 2.45 p.m. in Solicitors Buildings, Four Courts, Dublin. The Association represents whole time salaried solicitors in the local government service and pre-cepting bodies. Following the Council as to the inconvenience caused by the difficulty in obtaining parchment for memorials and re quisitions for negative searches the Minister for Justice has given an immediate direction pending the introduction of legislation later this year that memorials and requisitions on deed paper will be accepted in the Registry. The following letter has been received by the Society from the Assistant Registrar. Further to our recent conversation, the Minister for Justice following representations made to him that a critical shortage of parchment exists has authorised the use of deed paper for memorials and applications for negative searches in the Registry of Deeds. I think it is safe to assume 220 representations from REGISTRY OF DEEDS Parchment no longer necessary