The Gazette 1971

Galway City Killarney, Co. Kerry Kilkenny Town New Ross, Co. Wexford

141/1971 153/1971 ^ / 1 9 71 lUl/itt/1 1 141/1971 15/1971 56/1971 83/1971 259/1970 275/1970

STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS S.I. No. 186 of 1971

SPEED LIMITS REGULATIONS County Cavan

County Leitrim County Longford County Louth County Meath

COURTS (SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS) ACT, 1961 (SECTION 46) ORDER, 1971 This order increases the remuneration payable to all judiciary by 7 per cent from the 1st April 1970 and a further 10 per cent from 1st January 1971.

County and City of Waterford TRAFFIC TEMPORARY RULES Cork City—From 9 February 1971 Dundalk, Co. Louth—From 22 December 1970 Limerick City—From 15 December 1971

25/1971 304/1970 42/1971

One hundred years ago THE SOCIETY OF THE ATTORNEYS AND SOLICITORS OF IRELAND

branch of advocates, denying attorneys altogether the right of being heard at assizes. But what he complained of, and what he knew a number of the country practi- tioners complained of, was that in some cases they were forced, rather than leave a prisoner defenceless, to go into the assize court to defend him (hear). In those cases they were so pinioned by the arbitrary rules referred to that they would be much better pleased if the prisoners and other parties who insisted on their services were authoritatively informed that an attorney had no more right to be heard than any ordinary civilian. What he claimed for the profession was a recognition of their right that if they were to he heard at all they should he fully heard (hear). Mr. Henry Mills seconded the resolution, observing that in his opinion the matter was one which should be investigated by the council (hear). The resolution was unanimously adopted. The Secretary said Mr. W. M. Jones had given notice of the following resolution : "That the Council of this Society be requested to take cognisance of a notice which has recently appeared in one of the Courts to the effect 'that none but Queen's Counsel shall occupy seats at the table intended for members of the Inner Bar' with a view of obtaining the rescinding of such notice; orj at least, to have proper and convenient seats in the several courts, provided for the members of this profes- sion." The Chairman thought the seats at the table and at either end of the Inner Bar afforded sufficient accom- modation for attorneys in cases pending. The Secretary said the witness-box in the Court of Common Pleas blocked one of the seats and precluded —were the order posted carried out—the possibility of instructing the counsel at that side of the Court. Mr. F. Sheppard said he had been standing the whole day in the Court of Common Pleas, having failed in his endeavour to obtain a seat. Mr. Macrory observed that the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas had relaxed their order somewhat.

A general meeting of this Society was held on Tuesday, pursuant to adjournment, in the Solicitors' Hall, Four Courts, to consider various notices of motion, given at the half-yearly assembly, held after Easter Term. The chair was occupied by Sir R. J. T. Orpen, President. The Secretary (Mr. J. H. Goddard) having read the advertisement convening the meeting, the Chairman explained that they had been convened to consider a resolution to be introduced by Mr. Rea, relative to the right of attorneys to conduct prisoners' cases at assizes, and another by Mr. Jones having reference to the accommodation provided for members of the profession in the several law courts. Mr. John Rea moved the following : "That it be an instruction .to the council to take such steps as may be requisite to obtain for the profession of attorneys the right of being fully heard as advocates in the Crown Court at assizes, when defending prisoners, or opposing or supporting Grand Jury presentments." He said he had very little to do more than formally propose his resolution, as he did not anticipate any opposition to an increase of the jurisdiction of the pro- fession, or rather to the recognition of privileges which, as the chairman stated at the last meeting, existed some forty or fifty years ago. He did not wish to trespass on the privileges of the Bar at all in relation to matters of record, and he really did not ask for members of his profession any privilege that had not hitherto been given to them by some of the judges. They would observe that his motion was confined to two cases, in which attorneys had undoubtedly the right, without dispute, to be half heard. There was no judge on the bench of the twelve who denied the right of the attorney to cross-examine a witness for the prosecution against a prisoner, and the right of examining in chief witnesses for the defence; but the majority of them said to the attorneys that they could not allow them to argue points arising on the evidence. Nor can they permit them to address the jury. A similar principle prevailed with regard to applica- tions for the fiating of Grand Jury presentments, or for the rejection of them. He would have very little objec- tion to a declaratory statute being passed for the public advantage, and for the advancement of the higher

102