The Gazette 1980

JUNE 1980

GAZETTE

Valuation Office delays Abnormal delays in the Valuation Office were the subject of concern of a number of members at the June Council meeting. This problem is being discussed with both the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Public Service, and the need for early improvement is being emphasised. There was unanimous agreement to support the proposal that the Town Agents' requirement should be abolished. The matter is currently being considered by the Superior Rules Committee. Following representations by the Society there has been a change in the handling of the granting of Social Welfare Pensions. Members were advised of the change when official notification was received from the Depart- ment of Social Welfare. The Parliamentary Committee's submission in relation to Section 60 of the Finance Bill 1980 was endorsed. Stimulating interest The greater interest, involvement and participation of the younger members of the profession in the Law Society is to be sought through the work of a Committee which will study how this stimulation can be achieved. The new Committee, which has power to co-opt additional members, has been set up by unanimous decision of the Council following consideration of a resolution on the subject from Mr P. O'Connor and Mr L. K. Shields, who will form the nucleus of the Committee.

RECENT COUNCIL DECISIONS AND ACTION The suggestion that the Society should seek to acquire — at auction — the Smithfield site in Benburb Street, which adjoins the Blackhall Place property, was rejected by a special meeting of the Council in May. The decision was taken after considering advice from a Property Consultant, the Society's Architect and Solicitor, and reviewing the accommodation requirements for the next decade and the financial implications of the purchase. The financial cost was considered too high for a single generation of solicitors to carry. Northern visitors The Ordinary Meeting of the Council, held on the same day, was attended by the following members of the Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland: Messrs. Patrick S. M. Cross, President; James G. Doran, Senior Vice-President; C. C. McNally, Junior Vice-President; Miss T. McKinney, Mr G. P. Jemphrey and the Secretary, Mr Sydney Lomas. During the meeting some Council members and the Director-General were excused to attend in the High Court as witnesses in the case of John Fanning and A nor v The Incorporated Law Society of Ireland. In his judgment, delivered after a day-long hearing, Mr Justice Butler found in favour of the Society. A report of the case will be published in the Gazette. The Court of Justice of the European Communities has indicated that it will accept the CCBE Identity Card as evidence of a lawyer's right to audience before the Court. To be valid for this purpose the CCBE Identity Card must have been dated within the previous 12 months. Grave concern was expressed by the Council over the substantial arrears in Accountants' Certificates, reported by the Registrar's and Compensation Fund Committee. Instructions were given that the firms concerned should fie pressed to submit the appropriate Certificates immediately. The Union Internationale du Notariat Latin (UNIL) is to be invited by the Society to hold a meeting in Dublin on a date to be agreed within the next two years. Taxation Commission When the Council was told, at its meeting in May, that the Minister for Finance had declined to appoint a Solicitor on the Commission on Taxation, the Council established an ad hoc Committee to draft a submission to the Commission. Mr L. K. Shields was appointed Convenor of the Committee. Representations were made to the President of the High Court (at the request of Mr Michael O'Connell) for an extension of time for service of Motions for judg ment. Following these representations the period required has been extended from four to ten days.

In the matter of Myles P. Shevlin a solicitor and in the matter of the Solicitors' Acts 1954 and 1960.

BY O R D ER of the President of the High Court dated the 28th day of July, 1980, the name of the above named solicitor has been restored to the Roll of Solicitors solely for the purpose of defence in criminal proceedings, state side work and declaratory actions arising out of criminal proceedings.

J AMES J. IVERS, Director General.

In the matter of Philip F. Tormey a solicitor and In the matter of the Solicitors' Acts 1954 and 1960. BY O R D ER of the President of the High Court dated the 28th day of July, 1980 ( 1 9 80 No. 5S.A.) the name of the above named solicitor has been struck ofTthe Roll of Solicitors.

J AMES J. IVERS, Director General.