The Gazette 1993

GAZETTE

DECEMBER 1993

N E W S

New Council takes office for 1993/94

& Technology, Seamus Brennan, TD, at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis and observed that the Minister appeared intent on proceeding with his proposal. It was agreed that it was vital to reiterate the Society's view that capping compensation awards would not reduce insurance premiums and that at every available opportunity the Society should seek to rebut the nexus which Mr. Brennan had made between premium rates and the level of damages awarded in personal injury actions. Some members of the Council thought that there might be merit in discussing with a firm of economic consultants whether it would be worthwhile to undertake a statistical study of the figures upon which Minister Brennan appeared to be basing his proposal. It was also felt that it would be useful to approach the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to discuss the implications of the Minister's proposal. It was noted that the exact terms of the Minister's proposals were far from certain. It was not known how the proposed cap would operate, for example, was the Minister proposing a threshold (say of £100,000 of £150,000) below which damages for pain and suffering would not be awarded.

from time to time. The President also praised the staff of the Society.

The first meeting of the Council of the Society 1993/94 , continued the debate on and consideration of admissions policy. The outgoing President, Raymond Monahan, congratulated and welcomed the newly-elected members of the Council and the nominees of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association, Southern Law Association, and provincial delegates. The President paid tribute to the work of outgoing Council members, Maeve Hayes and Stephen Maher , both of whom, he said, had given generously of their time and commitment to the Society and its committees. colleagues on the Council for 1992/93 and said it had been an honour to lead the Council and the profession and he noted the tremendous support he had received from the Council. He also thanked the Director General and the staff of the Society for their hard work, dedication and loyalty throughout the year. He expressed appreciation to his Raymond Monahan expressed his gratitude and appreciation to his On assuming office as President, Michael O'Mahony paid tribute to Raymond Monahan for an outstanding presidency. He said Raymond Monahan had been a good-humoured, dedicated and popular President. Ray had initiated the Compensation Fund Policy Review Committee and a comprehensive review of the Society's education and admissions policy and he, as President, was committed to continuing the important work on both these issues. He said his agenda for the coming year would be to build on the initiatives of his í predecessor, continue to lobby on the Solicitors Bill which was expected to be introduced before Christmas and to deal with any other issues which arose Senior Vice-President, Michael O'Mahony, and his Junior Vice- President, Laurence Shields.

Admissions Policy j The outgoing chairman of the I Education Committee, Pat O'Connor, i reported that the Education Committee ! had put forward, on a tentative basis and with a view to stimulating debate, a number of proposals on the current and future policy of the Law Society | on education and admissions. Mr. ! O'Connor outlined the content of the I i proposals and following discussion the i Council agreed to consider the proposals in more detail at its next meeting alongside other views which The Council approved a schedule of payments from the Compensation Fund (see page 389). The Chairman of the Compensation Fund reported to the Council that the Committee had decided to refer one solicitor to the Disciplinary Committee. had been expressed. Compensation Fund New Salary Scale for Apprentices The Council approved a new recommended scale of salaries for apprentices to apply from January 1, 1994. The recommendation represents an increase of £10 per week over the former recommended scale, which had been in operation for almost four years, as follows: • first six months in office after professional course £115 p.w. • next six months £125 p.w. • final period before apprentice returns to Law School for advanced course £135 p.w. • before commencement of the professional course £95 p.w. Proposal to Cap Compensation Awards The Council noted remarks made by the Minister for State for Commerce

Committees 1993/94 The Council approved the

membership of the standing and ad hoc committees of the Society for 1993/94 (see lists commencing on page 377).

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