The Gazette 1978

OCTOBER 1978

GAZETTE

3.1 During the year the Registrars' Committee investigated complaints brought against solicitors, and also dealt with all matters relevant to the issue of practising certi- ficates and accountants' certificates by the Society. The procedure of the Committee in dealing with complaints is that when a complaint is received it is referred to the solicitor for a reply, to be received within a stated period. If the reply is not received within that period or if the matter cannot be disposed of in correspondence, then the matter is listed for the Interview Board, which is a sub- committee of the Registrars' Committee. The Interview Board will attempt to dispose of the matter at that level, and if it is unable to do so, or in more serious matters the case is then referred to the Registrars' Committee. During the year from August 1977 to 1st August 1978 there were a total of 850 initial complaints received. Of these 182 were referred to the Interview Board and of these, and some few more serious complaints 115 were dealt with by the Registrars' Committee. Nine cases during the year were referred to the Disciplinary Committee, the remainder of all the complaints being dealt with by the Registrars' Committee. It is true to say that in the experience of the Committee, during the year, some names keep recurring. Also it is fair to say that these names count for a considerable volume of the complaints, and if they were excluded, the number of complaints which would have to reach the Registrars' Committee, would be very much smaller. The principal reason for complaints is delay. To overcome this particular problem, the Committee has established liaison with the Land Registry and branches of the Revenue Commissioners with the view to endeavouring to expedite matters which are complained of to the Committee. This has proved most beneficial in a number of cases. It is also fair to say that in the vast majority of complaints, when brought to the knowledge of the solicitor, they were dealt with expeditiously and disposed of. All current complaints are dealt with expeditiously by the Society, and it is the Committee's resolve that all legitimate complaints by clients against solicitors will be resolved as speedily as possible and to the satisfaction of the client. The committee during the year dealt with accountants' certificates of practi- tioners which had fallen into arrears. The Committee is happy to record that in the vast majority of such cases immediate steps were taken to bring the accountants' certificates up-to-date. Practitioners should understand that practising certificates are withheld where the accountants' certificates are in arrears. In this sector Mr. P. J. Connolly, the Society's Finance Director, carried out investigations of solicitors' clients' accounts, and paid many visits to solicitors' offices, following up previous investigations carried out by him. In each of these cases, reports were submitted to the Registrars' Committee which took appro- priate action. During the year the Society attempted to formulate a complete roll of solicitors practising with a view to ensuring that every solicitor practising had a current practising certificate. This work was not completed during the current year, but it is hoped that in the next year this list of solicitors practising will be available and in this way the Society can ensure that everybody has an up-to-date practising certificate, and that all arrears due to the Society are paid. The Committee is indebted to the Director General for his many services to the Committee, and his attendance at meetings, to Mr. P. J. Connolly, Finance Director, who devoted a considerable portion of his year to work in the sector of the Registrars' Committee. To Mr. Basil Doyle, Mr. Martin Healy, Mr. Fintan Burke, and all members of the secretariat for their assistance and guidance and unfailing courtesy throughout the year. 3.9 Finally, I would like personally to express my thanks to all of my colleagues on the Committee for their excellent attendance at meetings. Practitioners will realise that apart from the monthly meetings of the Registrars' Committee there are many extra meetings of the Interview Board, and I am happy to place on record my sincere thanks to the members of the Committee for their help and assistance and regular attendance at all meetings. 157 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8

REGISTRARS' COMMITTEE

Thomas D. Shaw

Chairman

William B. Allen Thomas J. Fitzpatrick S. Carmel Ktlleen Ernest J. Margetson Patrick F. CDonnell Michael V. OTVtahony Laurence K. Shields Andrew F. Smyth

Thomas D. Shaw Chairman