The Gazette 1985

GAZETTE

APRIL 1985

Criticism of Government Office Delays

D ELAYS in Government offices, particularly the Probate Office, were criticised by Mr. Gerald M. Doyle at the half-yearly meeting of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland in Kenmare on April 27, 1985. Why, asked Mr. Doyle, does the Probate Office close at 1.00 p.m. during the Long Vacation and is not prepared to take documents by post? He felt the Society would have to exert continuing pressure in view of the embargo on recruitment in the Public Service, to ensure that the services to the profession by Government Departments was satisfactory. Commenting on the use of the Irish language, he urged that in its deliberations on the amendments of the Solicitors' Acts governing admission to the profession the Society should not get into the question of having the statutory Irish requirement repealed. Mr. Doyle also suggested that the Society should look at the question of establishing a Stationery Office for solicitors similar to that organised by the English Law Society. Mr. John L. Bowron, Secretary-General, the Law Society of England and Wales, explained that his Society had now no direct involvement with the supply of stationery to solicitors' firms. Supporting Mr. Doyle's comments about the Probate Office, Mr. Vincent Crowley said it was now impossible to enforce Court Orders due to the lack of staff in the various Civil Service offices. He asked the Society to put pressure on the State to improve enforcement proceedings. Concluding the discussion Mr. John Healy pointed out that Kenmare was 210 miles from Dublin but, in practice, it might as well be 2,100 miles since it was impossible to get any standard of service from the various Government offices with which he had to deal. Single practitioner offices Concern was expressed by Mr. Gerald Goldberg at the number of young solicitors commencing practice in Cork on their own account. They were good lawyers and very keen, but financial security was not available with the result that some were running into financial difficulty. Consequently, they might be in danger in more ways than one. He advocated that the paternal side of the profession should keep in contact with such young lawyers. The Society, he continued, should not be depressed by the inordinate and unfair criticism of the media. The profession had its problems but it was facing them with dignity and concern and sound common sense. He considered that the profession would emerge from the crisis of public confidence in a much stronger position. Concluding, Mr. Goldberg congratulated the President, officers and staff of the Society's administration for the excellent work done on behalf of members. Ms. Heather Debeir said that as a sole practitioner, recently established in practice, Mr. Goldberg's comments in relation to sole practitioners made her very depressed. In Dublin, certain young practitioners had combined under the heading of 'Forum' to exchange experiences

and she urged young solicitors in Cork to do likewise. Mr. Ken Murphy said there was a suggestion emerging that young qualified people should not be allowed to set up in practice for 2/3 years. In an ideal world, that suggestion would be acceptable but in the present-day situation, with unemployment and low remuneration, there could be no argument for it. The Society should not seek to restrict the setting up of young solicitors in practice since to do so could well be seen as protectionism and earn the resentment of the younger members of the profession. Mr. David Pigot said the Law Society should make it clear to all concerned that experienced members of the profession are only too willing to assist their younger colleagues in dealing with particular problems. Retirement Fund Reporting on the Retirement Fund, the Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr. E.J. Margetson, said the current value of the Fund (established in 1975) is almost £5m. and the increase in the past year was 14.7%. He commented that the initial £100 invested (net £97.50) in 1975, would have been worth £470 on 1st March, 1985. The annual average increase over the 10 year period of the Scheme was 37.1%, free of tax. Approximately 69% of the total Fund is invested in Ireland which includes an investment of 3% of property and 3.5% in an Exempt Property Unit Fund. The major external investments comprise EEC fixed interest bonds, and Japanese and US Equity Investments representing 18% of the entire Fund with the balance of approximately 13% invested in the UK. Membership of the Fund increased during the year and the Committee for the Fund was pleased to see that some of those joining were in the 30/40 age group. Mr. Margetson also drew attention to the Income Continuance Plan organised for the Society by Irish Pensions Trust Ltd. The President, Mr. Anthony E. Collins, before delivering his address, a copy of which is filed with the Minutes of the meeting, proposed that members stood in silence to the memory of two former Presidents of the Society, Mr. P.C. Moore, and Mr. Patrick Noonan. The President thanked the Kerry Law Society and its President, Mr. Donal E. Browne, for the welcome which he had given to members of the Society and their overseas guests. Formal Proceedings The notice convening the meeting was taken as read and adopted. The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 16th November, 1984, which were published in the December, 1984, issue of the Gazette, were taken as read and signed by the President. The following were appointed as Scrutineers of the Ballot for the Council for 1985/86:—

Messrs. L. Branigan, G. Doyle, J.R.C. Green, E. McCarron, A.J. McDonald, P.D.M. Prentice, R.J. Tierney, W. Beatty. 139