The Gazette 1994

GAZETTE

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1994

N E W S

I n t h e H e a t o f t h e M o m e n t . . . Every letter or telephone call of complaint to the Law Society is treated with the utmost seriousness by the staff in complaints section of the Society's Professional Practice department. Nonetheless, in some cases, in the heat of the moment, complainants and solicitors use the odd phrase which can cause a smile. "My solicitor didn 't turn up to represent me and all I got was a lot of excuses about him having had a heart attack. "

V i c e - P r e s i d e n t O b t a i n s H o n s L L .B D e g r e e

C l a r k e C o n t i n u e s t o O p p o s e " C a p p i n g "

Frank Clarke SC

Patrick

O'Connor

Following his election as Chairman of the Bar Council for a second year, Frank Clarke SC said that he would continue to oppose vigorously the proposed capping of personal injury awards. Frank Clarke was first elected as Chairman of the Bar Council in July 1993 having previously held positions as Treasurer and Vice-Chairman of the Bar Council. He was called to the Bar in 1973 and took silk in 1985. Following his election he stated "I am honoured to have been elected for a second term as Chairman of the Bar Council and will continue to press for improvements in the operation of the courts and of the criminal and civil legal aid system". He added: "With my colleagues in the Bar Council I will also continue to oppose vigorously the proposed capping of personal injury awards which in my view would be against the public interest. However, we are conscious of the need to reduce costs in such cases and we have made a number of proposals to the Government with a view to containing them." James Nugent SC was elected Vice- Chairman of the Bar Council. •

Junior Vice-President of the Law Society, Pat O'Connor, was recently conferred with an honours LL.B. degree from University College Galway. He obtained his first law degree from University College Dublin in 1973 and was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 1974. For the past two years he has been attending the Faculty of Law in University College Galway where he undertook further studies particularly in European law, competition law and company and commercial law. Pat O'Connor is a notary public and coroner for Mayo East. He has been a member of the Law Society Council since 1978 and has served on a wide range of Law Society committees including terms as chairman of the Education, Registrar's, Professional Purposes, Annual Conference and Parliamentary committees. Last year his firm, P O'Connor & Son, was the second firm of solicitors in Ireland to obtain the Quality Mark and the first firm in the West of Ireland to do so. •

'' Defo rmat ion of character"

"I don't believe making complaints unless they're really unnecessary"

"I'm ringing on behalf of my mother, I'm her daughter"

"Despite being unaware of the planning difficulties X never communicated the information to me. "

"Four of us own one third each. "

"Unfortunately X (another solicitor in the firm) had a heart attack. . . and has survived" (a solicitor's letter).

"I have six children, two living in Ireland and five abroad. "

"X gave physio treatment to a man who consequently died. "

"I want to complain about my wife \v solicitor who sent me a letter about a judicial separation, but my wife and I have a marvellous relationship. " "In relation to this particular complaint we are happy to report that we have eventually received a response from the vendor's solicitors which is totally unhelpful" (a solicitor's letter).

Cot Deaths Kill Perfectly Healthy Babies

E X P E R I E N C E D Solicitor wishes to acquire general practice either by outright purchase or terms. Location not of prime importance.

II your elienl wishes lo make a will in favour of Cot Death Research Telephone 8747007 ( 2 4 H o u r H e l p L i n e )

All replies acknowledged and confidentiality assured. Replies to: Box No 80

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