The Gazette 1991

GAZETTE

NOVEMBER 1991

Correspondence

Mr. Noel C. Ryan, Director General, The Law Society.

Dear Sirs

legal advisers. Is there anything surprising about this? Surely, if a client wanted to sue partner No. 645 in a large practice, he would not ask partner number 1 to take the easel At sub-heading [iv] entitled "Fore i gn Dependence" it is suggested that partnership between Irish solicitors and multi- national accountancy firms could prejudice the independence of Irish solicitors and the the independence and integrity of Irish law itself. Again, there is no explanation or example as to why or when this would or should occur. The comment in relation to the failure of the big accountancy firms to satisfy on a cost efficient basis the needs of individuals, is I submit irrelevant in the context of the article. In any event the same comments could presumably be made against the larger law firms. At number [vj under the heading "Confidentiality", while I think our profession could certainly benefit from an entire article and reminder on the subject of confidentiality, I do not think it is reasonable to suggest that non-lawyer partners in an MDP would find it any way to their benefit to ignore confident- iality insofar as a client of that MDP was concerned. The question of privilege is a different matter but I suggest this would give little dif- ficulty as the MDP concept would seem designed for matters of a 'civil' rather than 'criminal' nature. At paragraph [iv] on the topic of professional standards/discipline and the difficulties over inter professional jurisdiction, it is suggested that the establishment of a body with such jurisdiction would almost certainly mean loss of status and authority for the Law Society. Would this be such a terrible thing? What in the public mind is the present status and authority of the Law Society? Has 325

We are a medium sized firm of solicitors in Leeds which, as you are aware, is a thriving commerical and industrial centre in the North of England. Our firm has one office in the centre of Leeds and five branch offices. We specialise in giving a full legal service to medium sized and smaller companies and are looking to link up with lawyers of a similar size in cities within Europe. The idea behind this connection is to ensure that clients of our res- pective firms will be able to receive expert advice on the legal system of the respective countries in which a problem may have arisen. If any of your members would be interested in becoming a member of such an association then please note that in addition to your city we are also endeavouring to make contact with solicitors in Milan, Malaga, Rotterdam, Lyon, Antwerp, Tel Aviv and Oporto. We would be obliged if you could provide this information to the lawyers in your city and we await hearing from them in due course. If we can be of any further assistance in providing any additional information then please do not hesitate to contact our Mr. Carvis.

Dear Sir,

We refer to our newspaper advertisement in early July concerning a bus accident at White's Cross. We sincerely regret this publication wh i ch we understand caused offence to some people. This was not intended and we shall take all views expressed into consideration in the future.

Yours faithfully,

Mangan O'Beirne.

Director General, Incorporated Law Society of Ireland. Dear Sir, Re: Multi-discipline practices (MDPs). Article in July/August 1991 Gazette. I have read Mr. Irvine's article with interest. I refer to the paragraph entitled "Principal Arguments in favour of the Single Professional Practice as against the MDP." In subparagraph [ii] thereof it is stated rather baldly "MDPs will, in many instances, jeopardise the profes- sional relationship with the client, the judiciary and professional col- leagues. MDPs will jeopardise the independence of the legal pro- fession and of the advice given." Why should this be so? If the arguments against MDPs are to be seen as anything more than pro- tection for the interests of lawyers themselves as opposed to the con- sumer I think some detailed ex- amples would be necessary in this regard. It is stated that a consumer wishing to sue the non lawyer in an MDP would have to consult new

Yours faithfully,

GODLOVE PEARLMAN. Godlove Pearlman, Solicitors, 120 Harrogate Road,

Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 4NY. Tel: 0532 696186, Fax: 0532 661585