The Gazette 1982

JULY/AUGUST 1982

GAZETTE

ASSOCIATION OF CRIMINAL LAWYERS The launching of the Association of Criminal Lawyers at a reception at the Society's offices at Blackhall Place, Dublin, on Thursday, July 22, was marked by the address of the President of the High Court, Mr. Justice Thomas A. Finlay, in which he called for reform in the manner in which criminal trials are conducted. The President of the Incorporated Law Society, Mr. Brendan Allen described the formation of the Association as an understandable and highly desirable development. Mr. Justice Finlay noted that the Association had already had its sea trials and acknowledged the assistance he had received from it with regard to change he proposed for the Central Criminal Court. Greatly welcoming its formation, he said it was probable that in 50 or 100 years time, the quality of law in society was "unlikely to be tested by an evaluation of its Chancery law or the complexity of its tax laws, but by the efficiency and fairness of its criminal law. The formation of a body which would lead to an exchange of ideas and the maintenance of standards was greatly to be welcomed. The President had prefaced his remarks by stating that there were likely to be changes in the criminal law, but these would be matters of political debate and it would be inappropriate for him to enter into a discussion on them. However, there was an aspect of the criminal law which was outside political controversy which he would like those present to consider and he believed that the average modern criminal trial was far too long; the procedures and proofs necessary were more likely to confuse and obscure the real issues for the jury, than enlighten them. Mr Brendan Allen, said he was pleased to have been afforded the opportunity during his term of office of welcoming the formation of an Association of Criminal Lawyers. Already, he said, the Law Society recognised special interest groups amongst its members in the areas of Conveyancing, Litigation, Company Law and Taxation Law. It was an understandable and highly desirable development that those Lawyers who were participating to a greater than average degree in the area of Criminal Law should come together to promote their own special interest group. Since the average age of the profession was now quite young and that this was reflected amongst Criminal Lawyers, it was a good thing, in his view, that there be an Association available to them for guidance and as a standard-setting body in an area of Law which is extremely complex and has a very great sense of immediacy, and public responsibility. Looking at the work of special interest groups and particularly ofthe Association ofCriminal Lawyers, in the wider context of the Society's role as a commentator on legislative proposals or other developments, Mr Allen wished to make it clear, however, that at all times, the Society, through its Council, must reserve its position and may, on occasion, not necessarily agree with the sentiments of the particular interest group. In the case of the Association of Criminal Lawyers, it was important that this be clearly understood at the present time, when legislative proposals in relation to Criminal Law are in contemplation. The Society would make its views known in the context of an overall national view.

Mr Allen continued, on behalf of the Education Committee and of the staffof the Society's Law School, to express particular gratitude and appreciation to those members of the Association who had given very much of their time towards the provision of training and refresher courses in the area of Criminal Law •

Society of Young Solicitors Officers, 1983/83

Chairman: Petria McDonnell Secretary: Carol Fawsitt Treasurer: John Lynch.

Medico Legal Society Of Ireland

Patron: Professor Dermot Holland

President Royal College of Physicians

OFFICERS OF SOCIETY

President: Carmel Killeen, Solicitor Secretary: Brendan Garvan, Solicitor Treasurer: Alan Woods, Solicitor Council: District Justice A. B. Cassidy Doctors: Liam Daly, Robert Towers,

Declan Gilsenan, Sarah Rogers. Solicitors: Thelma King, Mary Dolan, Cliona O Tuama, Denis Greene, Eamonn Hall, Brian Murphy.

Eamonn Hall, Brian Murphy. Barristers: Matthew Russell. Immediate Past President

Dr John Harbison, State Pathologist

Comment.

(Continued from p. 147)

Dublin High Court non-Jury List) a "Bar" servicing each venue would very quickly form and Solicitors could more readily organise the attendance of necessary medical and other specialist witnesses. In fact, one of the less obvious advantages that might result from more High Court Sittings away from the convenient locations (for doctors) of Dublin and Cork is that solicitors and Counsel for both parties might begin to think more seriously of agreeing the medical evidence in the not-so-serious cases. Unless lawyers (i.e. Solicitors, Barristers and Judges) constantly look at ways to improve and expedite the administration ofJustice, they are failing thepublic, whom it is their intended objective to serve. •

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