The Gazette 1975

of his legal knowdedge. While the length of the combined academic and professional courses will be greater than under the present system, the pressure on students will be lessened, both by reason of the reduction of the number of examinations which an Apprentice will be required to take, and by these exam- inations being more widely spaced.

The Society will retain the Solicitors' Buildings at the Four Courts for part of its services to the public and the legal profession. Architect for the project is Thomas G. Nolan (Nolan and Quinlan) the building contractors are G. & T. Crampton Ltd., and the Quantity Surveyor is Mr. Thomas D'Arcy, FRICS. It is anticipated that the premises at Blackhall Place will be ready for full occupation in October 1978. All the work to be undertaken at the former King's Hospital is within the existing building and the areas will be decorated in a manner suitable to the character of the building. The Structural Changes The ground floor will provide a Lecture Hall, Ad- ministrative Offices, a lounge area and restaurant for members, cloakrooms, and toilets. In addition the re- furnished Chapel Hall with ancillary services will .be situated on this floor, as well as the Library for mem- bers. A library and cafeteria for students are main feat- ures of the lower floor accommodation. The first floor will contain the Society's Council Chamber, Committee rooms, and seminar rooms for the students. The Educational Changes One of the primary functions of the refurbished building will be to provide facilities for the Law Soc- iety's new Vocational Course for Solicitors Apprentices which will come into operation in October, 1978. This course is part of the major reorganisation - of education for Solicitors Apprentices which the Law Society has initiated during the past year. Apprenticeship in the future will normally only be available to University Graduates, though the Society retains the power to make special arrangements for experienced Law Clerks to be admitted to Appren- ticeship. Hitherto the prospective Solicitor, on leav- ing school, has entered into Indentures of Apprentice- ship and served under those Indentures while at the same time he may pursue a Degree Course; as from the 1st October, 1975 this will no longer be possible. The Society has decided to separate the academic and practical training necessary for admission as a Solicitor. In the main the academic training will be in in the hands of the University Law Schools and the practical training will remain with the Society. The practical training will be taken in three stages by the Graduate, commencing with a one year fulPtime Vocational Course. He will then spend 18 months work- ing whole-time in his Master's office learning the skills and practice of the profession. Following this period the Apprentice will return to the Society's Law School for a second four month course which will include specialisation in advanced courses in 'two subjects of the Apprentice's choice, as well as training in office management, costing and professional ethics. By the separation of 'the practical from the academic training the future Apprentice will be able to learn in a more orderly fashion the subjects and the application

High Court Journalists Association About 15 members of the British High Court Jour- nalists Association, who were visiting Dublin, attended a Reception given by the President, Mr. Osborne, in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, 16th September, 1975, at 5.00 p.m. This is the Diamond Jubilee Year of the Association, which was founded in 1915.

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