The Gazette 1989

GAZETTE INCORPORATE D LAWSOCIETY OF IRELAND

GAZETTE

APRIL 1 9 89

In this Issue Viewpoint

Vol.83 No.5 May 1989

159

Extradition Law: Part 2

161

President's Column

166

Practice Notes

169

Sys Spring Seminar

171

People & Places

172

Taxing the Voluntary Disposition Inter Vivos 177 Younger Members News 184 Correspondence 185 Book Review 187 Professional Information 189 • Cover Photo: The President of the Law Society, Maurice Curran (centre) with (left) His Honour Judge Michael A. Moriarty of the Circuit Court, and Ernest J. Margetson, Senior Vice President of the Law Society. * Executive Editor: Mary Gaynor Committee: Geraldine Clarke, Chairman Eamonn G. Hall, Vice-Chairman John F. Buckley Gary Byrne Patrick McMahon Charles R. M. Meredith Advertising: Seán Ó hOisín. Telephone: 305236 307860 Printing: Turner's Printing Co. Ltd., Longford. * The views expressed in this publication, save where otherwise indicated, are the views of the contributors and not necessarily the views of the Council of the Society. The appearance of an advertisement in this publication does not necessarily indicate approval by the Society for the product or service advertised. Published at Blackhall Place, Dublin 7. Tel.: 710711. Telex: 31219. Fax: 710704. Daire Murphy John Schutte

Viewpoint The concentration of insurance services, auctioneers' practices and, in the not too distant future, conveyancing services in the same hands as providers of mortgage finance has led the English Law Society to protest loudly at the absence of any independent advice being available to house purchasers. While the situation in Ireland is not as unsatisfactory as that in the UK, it is surely a step in the right direction that our Law Society has made arrangements to enable all practising solicitors to obtain independent financial and invest- ment advice for their clients. There is already evidence here that mortgage consultants are advising house purchasers to take out forms of assurance policies which are not necessarily the most suitable or economic for them. In passing, it may be commented that the high commission payable on the introduction of the insured to the insurer presents a great temptation to the consultant to sell the policy with the highest commission, rather than the most effective policy for the client. The services to solicitors which Solicitors Financial and Property Services Ireland Ltd., can offer through their agents, Sedgwick Dineen Personal Financial Man- agement Ltd., are wide ranging. Apart from the provision of advice to would-be house pur-

chasers and, perhaps more signif- icantly, to house owners wishing to remortgage their property, the range of facilities offered includes personal pension plans, retirement planning, key man insurance and investment. This latter idea may be of con- siderable interest to practitioners engaged in litigation rather than in the provision of property services. The wise investment of sub- stantial amounts obtained by plaintiffs on awards is a matter which requires expert assistance; the leeches will gather as soon as the award is made and it is important that the plaintiff's solicitor be in a position to offer expert and unbiased advice to his client. Now that these services are available to practitioners it is up to the profession to use their newly granted power to advise clients or, indeed, prospective clients of the services which the profession can now offer. It is important that the solicitor regains his position as being the client's first port of call, which certainly in the area of house purchase is no longer the norm. Each firm in the Professional Services area should take immediate steps to make their clients aware of these services which are unlikely to be matched by any other professionals operating in the area. •

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