The Gazette 1974

9.1 The year under review has seen substantial progress towards the achievement of a radical reform of legal education which has, for many years, been one of the prime objectives of the Society. It is not proposed to dwell on the details of the changes which have already been given considerable publicity, in particular, in the address given by the President Mr. Peter Prentice at the Society's half-yearly Meeting in Ennis. 9.2 At this stage, the framework of the new system of legal education has been constructed but a very great deal of work still remains to be done before all concerned can say that we have achieved our objectives. 9.3 One of the principal concerns has been to separate the academic and the vocational phases of the education of a Solicitor. It is hoped that this will provide scope in the vocational stage for greater emphasis on those areas of professional practice which in recent years have become more and more complex. It will also provide opportunities for apprentices to acquire some degree of specialist skill in particular branches of the Law on which they hope to con- centrate when in practice. 9.4 The Court is conscious of the fact that the social and economic changes which have taken place in our country, the momentum of which has gathered pace over the past decade, has created a demand for a sophistication of legal service which did not exist before. The Society would be failing in its duty to the Profession both present and future if it did not respond to the challenges presented by these changes. The Court is extremely grateful to the Authorities in Dublin University and in the constituent Colleges of the National University of Ireland who have been particularly helpful in arranging a smooth transition to the new system of education. 9.5. Apart from this major task, which has occupied the time of the Court, the routine task of dealing with educational matters has been an onerous one during the past year. The steady increase in the numbers seeking apprenticeship has created a two-fold problem. At the outset, many of those seeking to become apprenticed have experienced difficulties in finding a Master willing to take them. Thereafter the larger numbers give rise to problems of accommodation for lectures and examinations and to a greater volume of incidental work, the supervision of which falls within the scope of the Court. 9.6 During the year, the Council (on the recommendation of the Court) to relieve the difficulties experienced by intending apprentices in regard to obtaining a Master gave general notice that it would allow Solicitors who had been sufficiently long in practice to take a second apprentice provided that the first apprentice had been apprenticed for a minimum period of 12 months. It also relaxed the rule with regard to the minimum period during which a Master should have practised, reducing that period from 7 years to 5 years as a general rule. While this expedent has alleviated the situation, it has not eliminated the problem entirely. It is anticipated, however, that the new arrangements which will result in intending apprentices obtaining their university degree before seeking to be apprenticed will, in the long run, eliminate the problem. 9.7 This Report would not be complete without a tribute to the President, Mr. Peter Prentice, my predecessor as Chairman of the Court of Examiners. During his period as Chairman and during his year of office, he has devoted a great deal of his time and energy to the advancement of the Society's present policies. The progress which has been made is due in no small measure to him. 11.1 Some months ago the Chairman and the Director General attended a seminar in Scotland, which was organised by the equivalent committee of the Scottish Law Society. This Society, which was formed shortly after the last war, takes the question of public relations very seriously, and it is hardly necessary to add that your Committee agrees entirely with them. That Society has been so active in this field that they have established themselves as spokesmen on matters not alone affecting their profession but also in relation to the effects of new legislation on the public. Their methods over the years has been to build up a group of approximately ten Solicitors who have taken courses in television communications and who are available to the communications media when required, which is often at very short notice. 11.2 In Scotland the Law Society has published many pamphlets, which have been circularised to libraries, universities, banks etc. which deal with certain aspects of the law, such as "Buying a House", "The Scottish Law Society", "The Law of the Road", and so forth. These pamphlets are also available to the Profession and Solicitors are encouraged to have them on display in booklet stands in their reception offices. 229

THE COURT OF EXAMINERS

Joseph L. Dundon, Chairman John F. Buckley James R. C. Green John Maher James W. O'Donovan David R. Pigot

Joseph L. Dundon Chairman

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Walter Beatty, Chairman John Carrigan Joseph L. Dundon James R. C. Green Michael P. Houlihan Brendan A. McGrath Patrick F. O'Donnell