The Gazette 1979

GAZETTE

SEPTEMBER 1979

in which they dealt with public, press and students, having regard to the problems which arose in this area, and it showed that the development of their education programme and systems over the last two to three years has proved correct. 9.8 To the Chairman of the Registrar's Committee and his Committee from a public relations point of view, there can be nothing but unqualified thanks, as their function is to deal with the members of our profession who are unable to give to the public the proper services and as a result, they leave other members open to justifiable criticism because of individual neglect or default. We should anticipate the future more in relation to public complaints, we should be able to help our colleagues more in this area by assisting them when we realise their difficulties, once it is not to the detriment of any client. Where there are complaints in areas of the country or Dublin, immediate communication should be established with one of the profession in the area to give assistance. 9.9 During the year Margaret Byrne was appointed as librarian and may she have many years of fulfilment in this post. 9.10 John Buckley and the Committee dealing with the Gazette must be congra- tulated on their fundamental contribution to their profession, without which the solicitors would undoubtedly be at a loss of essential information. The publication has improved with each issue. 9.11 Communications have continued to develop with our neighbouring Law Societies and other bodies of mutual interests and our President has here and abroad furthered this. 9.12 This whole area of public relations at the moment is so wide that it might be considered that it should be dealt with by a full-time officer who would anticipate all areas of needs and co-relate them, particularly having regard to the fact that it is being suggested that the monopoly of conveyancing be investigated and that advertising be allowed and'we have to meet a Restrictive Practices Inquiry. There are undoubtedly many areas in which the profession is going to come under such investigations in the very near future and it is very important that the attitude of the Societey be fully and properly briefed and informed beforehand to transmit it to the public on behalf of the profession and that it is a specialised job and would be in co-operation with Mr. Maxwell Sweeney. 9.13 The Director General and administration staff have always during the year continued to keep communications open and public relations of a high standard with profession, government departments, media and other areas sometimes under difficulty, and are due sincere thanks. To the members of the Committee, my sincere appreciation for their help during the year. 10.1 This Committee again spent much of its time dealing with individual applications from apprentices, prospective apprentices and masters. As my predecessor said in the last annual report each apprentice appears to consider himself or herself unique and requires each individual problem referred to the Committee. 10.2 The principal event of the year was, of course, the opening of the Society's new Law School and the commencement of the first professional course. The Committee was delighted that Kevin O'Leary, the Principal of the Training Course at the Australian National University at Canberra, who is one of the founding figures of professional legal training and who has advised the Society in the planning of its course, was able to accept the Society's invitation to attend the opening of the Law School and deliver the John Mathews Memorial Lecture. 10.3 During the year the first of what is hoped will be a regular series of meetings with those responsible for the education of the profession in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland took place at Chester. The next meeting is scheduled to be held in Dublin in February of 1980. Apart from the useful exchange of views about comparative methods of education for the profession the most interesting development which has come out of the first meeting is a movement towards mutual recognition of qualifications. This object is one which will eventually be covered by an E.E.C. Directive but experience shows that the Commission are usually pleased to adopt existing arrangements as long as they are in accord with the aims of the Commission. 10.4 The prediction contained in the Society's document "Estimated Supply of and demand for Solicitors in 1986 and 1991" appears to be proving accurate. Already there 161

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

John F. Buckley Frank Daly

Chairman Vice-Chairman

Adrian Bourke Maurice R. M. Curran

W. D. McEvoy Rory O'Donnell

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m W1 John F. Buckley Chairman