The Gazette 1972

(3) The lawyers of a contracting State may exercise all the activities stated in the aforementioned articles 1 and 2, by means of establishing a special office with a lawyer of another contracting State. Article 4 In the exercise of their activities upon the territory or the jurisdictions of another State, the lawyers of a contracting State shall be subject to their own pro- fessional rules as well as to the professional rules applicable to the territory of the contracting State where the legal activities are exercised. Article 5 (1) In the case of a breach of the professional rules committed by a lawyer the professional association of a contracting State where the breach has been committed, may forbid or limit the exercise of the activities pre- viously mentioned in Articles 1 and 2, by the lawyer guilty of such breach upon all the territory and before all the courts of the contracting State for a definite or indefinite duration, provided however that the disciplinary authorities of the contracting State con- cerned have the necessary powers to exercise jurisdic- tion. (2) The disciplinary process is conducted and the sanctions imposed and applied according to the pro- fessional rules then existing in the contracting State where the breach has occcurred. (3) The disciplinary authorities of the contracting State of origin of the lawyer who has committed the breach will be notified of the institution of disciplinary powers against him. In all cases, full and accurate copies of the official file will be sent to these authorities. Article 6 (1) This Convention will be ratified and the instru- ments of ratification will be deposed before the Euro- pean Commission in Brussels. (2) This Convention will come into force on the 1st day of the 2nd month which will follow the date of the deposit of the second instrument of ratification.

Article 7 The present Convention may be revised at the re- quest of a contracting state, within a period of three years after it has come into force. Signed in Amsterdam on the 25th day of April 1970. The Consultative Commission of European Bars met in Luxembourg in the Palais Cassel on the 5th, 6th and 7th October 1972 under the presidency of Maitre de Gryse, dean of the National Order of Advocates of Belgium. The reception on fhe 6th of October was given by the Ministry of Justice of Luxembourg. The Consultative Commission of the European Bars having considered the report of Maitre Pettiti has decided to pursue its action with a view to promoting bi-lateral and multi-lateral Conventions amongst Euro- pean Bars and if necessary amongst governments of member States. These Conventions would define and delimit the activities allowed under the heading of "Consultation" other than temporary consultations. The Commission would also adopt the principle of a Convention and of professional rules which would have the effect of ensuring organic co-operation amongst advocates. This Convention would also take note of the various activities of the advocate's profession in each member State. This Convention would also consider the equili- brium necessary to sustain in practice the legitimate interests of local Bars, notably those of member States adjoining one another. This co-operation could be realised by means of formal organic Conventions or by any other means required. As a basis for a new Con- vention the Consultative Commission would recommend the project on the subject elaborated in Amsterdam as well as the formal resolution adopted in Edinburgh by actually limiting this project and this resolution to the subject of consultation. These agreements when reached can be brought officially to the notice of the bars concerned and to the notice of legal professional asso- ciations.

Record Damages of £77,000 awarded Miss Merry Hamp, 18, who fought to regain her sight after being blinded at school, was awarded record damages of £76,878 in the High Court. earnings; £5,500 for future medical assistance, and £28,849 agreed special damages for past operations and other medical treatment.

The sum paid to Miss Hamp, whose home is in Park Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, was the highest ever made to a woman in Britain for personal injuries and also a High Court record. With interest it is likely that Miss Hamp will receive more than £80,000. Miss Hamp, who now has severely restricted vision after a series of operations, was praised by Mr. Justice Phillips for her courage and perseverance since the explosion in the laboratory at Mount Carmel Convent School, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, six years ago. He awarded her £36,000 for her pain and suffering and loss of amenities of life; £11,000 for loss of future

The special damages also included £4,471 to her father, Mr. John Hamp, a television producer. The damages were awarded against the Sisters at St. Joseph's Hospital, Mount Carmel Convent School. The judge said that since the explosion, which occurred while she was crushing chemicals for use by the chemistry instructor, Miss Hamp had endured six years of continual pain and discomfort, mostly in dark- ness. "During the last six years, she has undergone almost constant treatment in this country, in Spain and America in a couragous battle to save part of her sight." - 2 8 6