The Gazette 1991

GAZETTE

NOVEMBER 1991

vision which will effectively prevent the Society in the future from banning fee advertising. The Society has already given its reaction publicly to these pro- visions - to which it is opposed - and I will not repeat here what the Society has already said. I will, however, say that, bad and all as the profession may think these proposals are, they could have been worse. We are, at least, being spared the introduction here of the 'licenced conveyancer' such as they already have in England. In our neighbouring jurisdiction up North, where recently published legis- lation proposes to follow the British example, the Law Society is already discussing the possibility of solicitors w i t hd r aw i ng their services in protest. It is important, therefore, that, in considering and debating the proposals in the Bill, we maintain a sense of balance about them. We should also remember the strengths we have as a unified solicitors profession. Quite apart from the fact that we can and will successfully compete with any opposition in these areas, we should not be slow to remind the banks, in particular, of the importance to them of solicitors as customers. I -would personally be suprised if banks had any serious intention of getting involved in these areas. The second matter that I want to mention, in this context, is the provisions in the Bill which will, to some extent, enable decisions to be taken which could alter the way in which the profession is structured in the future. I allude principally to the provision which would, if the Society t hought f i t, enable practices to become incorporated and the provision which would allow multi-disciplinary and multi- national practices to be estab- lished. Again, the Society is very much in control in relation to these matters as the provisions in the Bill are enabling ones only and leave it to the Society itself to decide whe t her these developments

should be brought in. Once again, however, it is important to bear in mind, in considering the Bill as a whole, that there is nothing in it which threatens the future of the solicitors profession or nothing which should cause any fears in relation to the possibility of coerced fusion. Conclusion On the whole, this is a Bill which assists the profession and the Society and, while members will strongly oppose some of its pro- visions, overall it should contribute The attention of practitioners is drawn to a Pre-Apprenticeship Register which is maintained by the Society's Law School. This is a comprehensive index of the names and personal particulars of stud- ents seeking the help of the Law Society in securing apprenticeship and who are otherwise eligible to attend the Law School's Professional Course. Students on the Register are catalogued by name and their area of origin and, accordingly, practitioners, and particularly those from outside of Dublin, are en- couraged to make use of the Register if they are interested at all in taking on an apprentice. The merits of a rural practioner taking on an apprentice at a time where there is some evidence of disinclination on the part of qualified solicitors to move to employment outside Dublin or the larger commercial centres cannot be over-emphasised. Contrary to the Society's original expectations, it is now possible to assign an apprentice to a Professional Course starting only a f ew months after the com- mencement of apprenticeship, as soon as the apprentice has found

substantially to enhancing the image of the profession as we move through the 90s and face the inevitable competition that the future will bring in Ireland. It has something to offer in relation to most of the major areas of concern to the Society and, if implemented effectively, it will, in my view, strengthen the profession and enhance its status and reputation as a profession which, in an age of increasing consumer awareness, provides high quality legal services, is client-orientated and gives good value for money. • an office. Indeed, not infrequently, students on the Pre-Apprenticeship Register who are recruited by practitioners find that they can ease the worry of offices by securing admission to the next available Professional Course, provided they have three months spent in the office before the course starts. This service is without charge and is absolutely confidential. It is entirely a matter for any solicitor contacting the Law School whether he or she wishes to recruit or even to interview a prospective app- rentice whose details have been furnished. The Society strongly encourages practitioners to consider taking on an apprentice, and, furthermore, to consider the use of the Society's Pre-Appren- ticeship Register.

Pre-Apprenticeship Register

For further particulars please contact:

Albert Power, Assistant Director of Education, The Incorporated Law Society of Ireland. Blackhall Place, Dublin 7.

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