The Gazette 1991

GAZETTE

JU LY/AUGUST

1991

1

Younger Members News

A conference, organised by the Union Des Jeunes Avocats de Paris (The Young Lawyers Association of the Paris Bar) was held in the Palais de Justice, Paris from 12th to 14th April, 1991. It was attended by Patricial Boyd and Gabrielle Dalton on behalf of the Younger Members Committee of the Law Society. The theme for the "European Weekend" was the representation of the legal profession. The conference was attended by the Young Lawyers from France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, England, Switzerland and Romania as well as Ireland. On first day of the pro- gramme, papers were delivered in French by a member of each delegation outlining how pro- fessional training is organised in each country, apprentices' salaries, disciplinary procedures, job op- portunities, organisation of firms, ethics and other topics. The French Bar was unique in that there is no national organisation such as the Law Society; each regional Bar regulates discipline, ethics, etc. One of their present concerns was the recent fusing of the professions of " A v o c a t" and "Conse il Juridique". The Romanian Lawyers high- lighted the problems facing their profession which is directly under the control of the Ministry of Justice. They are actively seeking the liberalisation of the legal pro- fession and are endeavouring to prepare for development in the areas of commercial and environ- mental law. Patricia Boyd delivered a paper in French congratulating the English for being the first Member State to recognise the E.C. Directive on Mutual Recognition of Diplomas. The similarities between the legal systems in our respective juris- dictions were acknowledged but the differences in representation of the profession were noted. There are two organisations representing the interest of young apprentices/ solicitors namely the Trainee Solicitors' Group and the Younger Members Group of the English Law Society, while in Ireland, there is

no specific group representing apprentices. The second day of the pro- gramme consisted of a tour of the Paris Law School; a lecture on psychoanalysis was in progress during our visit! The facilities were extremely modern and included large lecture halls, language laboratories and a very good restaurant. The conference ended with a sociable brunch on Sunday and an exchange of names and addresses. It is hoped to write to each delegate asking them to keep us informed of further European events and letting them know about what is being organised here. Already we have facilitated Irish solicitors who were interested in making contact with Romanian lawyers in relation to adoption procedures both here and in Romania. It is clear from our attendance at the conference how important it is for Irish lawyers to make and maintain social and professional contact with lawyers from non- common law jurisdictions es- pecially those in the E.C. if we are to participate fully in an open Europe. It also struck us forcibly that we must achieve competence in at least one Commun i ty language to keep pace with our European colleagues. PATRICIA BOYD YMC Have you ever wondered how to cram a whole week into just two days (and I'm not talking about catching up with work)? Practical lessons are now available - on a strictly first come, first served basis - from the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors Group (NIYSG), as a party of twenty-four from both the Society of Young Solicitors and the Younger Members Committee recently discovered when we were invited to their Sixth Annual Conference held in Templepatrick, outside Belfast, on Friday and Saturday 10th and 11th May.

Sadly, pressure of work caused all of us to miss the opening lunch and afternoon workshops which this year had a European theme as the Conference was jointly hosted with the Northern Ireland Solicitors European Group. We made up for this late start how- ever by participating (very) actively in all of the events so ably organised by Hilary Wells and her colleagues. The weekend proper began with the Conference Ball on Friday evening held in the Templeton Hotel (which for those David Lynch fans among us bore a striking resemblance to the hotel in "Twin Peaks" - and here I'm talking about the decor and nothing else!). Everyone enjoyed both the Ball and the apres-Ball which included the first singsong of the weekend featuring the Conference's massed choirs. Saturday began bright and early at 11.30 a.m. (well, its all relative and, believe me, with the amount of sleep everyone got it felt very early and was far too bright). This was to be the Longest Day, at least that's what everyone thought who read the page long Programme - and there was even a Bridge Too Far. But before that a coach load of us headed off to the Antrim Coast and Giants causeway where James Wells, who must be the most charismatic member of the National Trust, treated us to a most enjoyable tóur of this wonder of the world. After that, we stopped for lunch in Bushmills Village - although the spirit was willing, the Distillery was closed (which probably wasn't the best decision they ever made!). A very good lunch was enjoyed by all at the Bushmills Inn and it was easy to see why this old coaching inn had been recommended by Egon Ronay. After lunch we travelled to Carrick a Rede Bridge which was quite a challenge but as lawyers, well used to walking without safety nets, we boldly went where only the rope bridge led and happily everyone enjoyed the walk on the 207