The Gazette 1992

JUNE 1992

GAZETTE

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Education - A New Approach?

The Issues

Following admission, consideration could be given to a period of post qualification training, such as in the medical profession, for barristers, etc. The demands of our legal educaton system impinge upon all of our lives, in the number of applications to us for apprenticeships, in the standard of apprentices which we take on and in their training, in the every day running of the Law Society, and most importantly, in the lives of those who wish to enter this profession and who currently have high expectations the fulfillment of which cannot be guaranteed.

apprenticeships, inevitably raises the question whether the apprenticeship in the present form is in fact a necessary vehicle to train young solicitors. A more logical approach might be to examine a restructured scheme of training, under which the student, under normal circumstances, would attend at university, and would then take part in a single continuous course in Blackhall Place, probably for one academic year. During this time the student would receive all of the practical training currently taking place here, but the course would also include exposure to a simulation of a well developed solicitor's practice within Blackhall Place. Correct procedures for running an office, the administrative and financial aspects of practice, client care, and general good conduct as a solicitor, would be dealt with.

The solicitor's profession, and the Society, must ask themselves if the numbers being admitted annually as solicitors are more than the profession itself, or other employment outlets, can be expected to absorb in a time of recession? Should the Law Society and the profession continue the immense struggle to provide scarce resources to meet demand, irrespective of standards, remuneration, apprenticeship prospects and job opportunities? We are going to have to address the honesty of the present system, because it would be very wrong of us to lead young people, and their parents or others who pay their bills, to believe that there is Utopia at the end of a law degree, or qualification as a solicitor. It is healthy that the Society should analyse the current position, with a strong emphasis towards planning for the future, in consultation with its education partners, the Government and student representatives. The Facts We are currently running 2 Vi to 3 professional courses in any one calendar year. This means that, for the most part, Blackhall Place is a 365 day a year educational institution. This is placing a huge strain on the voluntary consultants and tutors, on the professors and administrators, on the limited space, and on the general resources of the Society. There are simply not enough apprenticeships available to meet the demand for them. The shortage of places and the pressure building up on the Society to help to secure

Adrian P. Bourke; President

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Southern Law Association Annual Dinner

At the Southern Law Association Annual Dinner were L-R: Michael Davey, Secretary, Law Society of Northern Ireland; Noel C. Ryan, Director General, Law Society; Ray Monahan, Senior Vice-President Law Society; Barry St. John Galvin, President, Southern Law Association; Frank Daly, Junior Vice-President and Brian Walker, Senior Vice-President, Law Society of Northern Ireland.

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