The Gazette 1972

critical factors in delays generally has been arrears in the Mapping Branch. Plans for the reorganisation of this branch have recently been completed and are expected to be implemented in the near future. When the reorganisation of the Mapping Branch has been accomplished it is expected that there will be a consid- erable improvement in the position in the Land Registry and that the foundation will have been laid for the provision of a greatly-improved public service. In the meantime, special attention is being given to some cate- gories of first registrations, including those in areas where compulsory registration has been introduced and also registrations of leasehold interests carved out of registered land. Yours faithfully, Cathal Crowley.

VOLUNTARY TRANSFERS

The Secretary, Incorporated Law Society.

Listowel, Co. Kerry. 16th June 1972.

Dear Sir, I have been experiencing a gieat deal of difficulty lately in agreeing to a reasonable figure with the Stamp Duty and Valuation Offices in respect of the above transactions. Not only is there difficulty in agreeing upon a figure, but there is a delay of several months regularly, particularly when the matter is referred from the Stamps Branch of the Revehue Commissioners to the Valuation Office and back again. I have one case in mind in which the Stamps Branch fixed a valuation of £9,000. Subsequently we furnished auctioneer's cer- tificates to the effect that the place was only worth £5,000. The matter was referred to the Valuation office and now nine months later they have fixed a value of £10,000 without ever having seen the place. The amount of stamp duty involved in these transfers is relatively small and cannot be a source of any great income to the State. It might be worth while to write to point out the position. Possibly representations could be made to the Minister for Finance in respect of these. If stamp duty is going to continue in these father to son transactions, then it should be fixed on an artificial value basis— something equivalent to estate duty in cases at least where the valuation is less than £50. No doubt you have an appropriate commission to whom you could refer this letter to see if the problem could be tackled in any way as suggested above. If there are any further particulars you require, I shall, of course, be pleased to supply them. In these days of high cost of administration, anything that delays office matters for months and months should, in my opinion, be one of serious concern to the pro- fession. Yours faithfully, Robert Pierce. SOLICITORS BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION The Editor, Law Society Gazette. 15 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. 11th July 1972. Dear Mr. Gavan Duffy, On Mr. McGarron's elevation to the position of Direc- tor of the Solicitors Benevolent Association I have been appointed to succeed him as Secretary, and I have been instructed to ask you to insert a notice to this effect in the forthcoming issue of the Gazette and to state that any communications regarding the Benevolent Associa- tion should, in future, be sent to me as Hon. Secretary, at 15 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. Yours sincerely, (Miss) Thelma King. - 2 3 9

REGISTRY OF DEEDS The Secretary, Department of Justice, 72-76 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.

20th June 1972

Dear Sir, I am directed by the Council to refer to the Society's letter dated Aril 25th and to enquire if any progress has been made with the proposed legislation regarding the Registry of Deeds. As you are no doubt aware the law in Northern Ireland has been to a large extent consolidated by the Registration of Deeds, (Northern Ireland) Act, 1970 (1970 Ch. 25). The Council take the view that there is an urgent requirement for similar legislation here. The Council will be obliged if you will bring to the attention of the Minister the suggestion already made that the procedure for registration of deeds should be simplified by a standard form of document (not a memorial as under the present practice) which might be printed with the information required from the appli- cant for registration and spaces for filling in the neces- sary particulars—something in the nature of the form required for obtaining the PD stamp at the present time but on durable paper and of a suitable form for binding. The Council take the view that the narrative form of memorial prescribed by the Statute of Anne is unneces- sary under modern conditions. The only requirement should be that the document would contain all the necessary information and would be signed at the foot by the appropriate party with an affidavit of execution if necessary. The provisions which seem to be necessary in such a standard document would be those in Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act of 1970. It is unfortunate in a case that under present staff shortage conditions mistakes are frequently made in the setting out require- ments of memorials in the Registry of Deeds and a simple form which would require only the specified signatures would be preferable. The Council would be glad to be consulted on this legislation before it takes final shape. Yours faithfully, Eric A. Plunkett ( Secretary).