The Gazette 1990

GAZETTE

DECEMBER 1990

PRACTICE NOTES fContd. from p. 318) business transactions e.g. the pur- chase and sale of cars. In the larger cities there exist private law firms although nothing like on the scale seen in the West. With the move to a market economy under the Shatalin 500 Day Plan and the introduction of private property laws however it is obvious that the Soviet political structure and legal system will undergo a startling metamorphosis and increasing numbers of civil lawyers will be required in the new system. M e d i c a l Fees The Irish Medical Organisation has recently recommended an in- creased fee structure to its mem- bers within the context of the existing agreement with the Society. Unfortunately, the I.M.O. has done this unilaterally and without consulting the Society. Practitioners are advised to have regard only to that scale of standard fees recommended for payment to Medical Practitioners operative from 1st January, 1987. It should be noted that this fee structure is a 'recommendation'

only and from a contractual view point it may be prudent to advise the relevant Medical Practitioner, when requesting his or her services that it is intended that fees will be paid at the 1987 agreed rate. The Litigation Committee is con- tinuing to negotiate with the representatives of the Medical Profession as a whole and with the Insurance Federation to reach a fee structure agreeable to all. Such a structure should hopeully be in place by the end of the year. Litigation Committee

On a personal note, the individual exchanges worked very well, our Russian partners and their families were hospitable to the point of embarrassment - we were com- pletely protected from the now endemic shortages of foodstuffs and other basic necessities avail- able from normal channels. From a legal educational view point, and more importantly, for cultural reasons, the trip was very interesting, made more so by its timing in the political history of the Soviet Union. PATRICIA TAYLOR YMC

The Irish Society for European Law Founded in 1973 President: The Hon. Mr. Justice Brian Walsh. Irish Affiliate to the Cheirmen: Mr. Eamonn G. Hall, Solicitor Fédération Internationale Pour le Droit Européen (F.I.D.E.) P R O G R A M M E FOR A U T U M N 1 9 9 0 1. Thursday, November 15, 1990: The Hon. Mr. Justice Ronan Keane, Judge of the High Court, President of the Law Reform Commission - Community Law and Irish Law: A Fruitful Tension. 2 . Thursday, December 13, 1990 at 6.15p.m. The Annual General Meeting of the Society - To be held in the main Reception room of the European Commission Office, 39, Moleaworth Street, Dublin 2. The meeting will be followed by a Wine Reception. Lectures take place at 8.15 pm at the Kildare Street and University Club, 17 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. By kind permission. Members and their guests are invited to join the Committee and guest speakers for dinner at the Club at 6.15 pm on the evening of each lecture. Members intending to dine must communicate with the Membership Secretary, Jean Fitzpatrick, Solicitor's Office, Telecom Eireann, 52, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. (Tel: 01-714444 Ext. 5929, Fax: 01-679 3980, Electronic Mail (Eirmail) (Dialcom) 74: EIM076) not later than two days before the dinner, as advance notice must be given to the Club. Membership of the Society is open to lawyers and to others interested in European Law. The current annual subscription is £15.00 (£10.00 for students, barristers and solicitors in the first three years of practice). Membership forms and further details may be obtained from the Membership Secretary.

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