The Gazette 1994

GAZETTE

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1994

facing "a massive £80m bill in outstanding claims from public liability cases". The article quoted Dublin Corporation spokesman, Noel Carroll, as saying that there had been a decline in the number of claims being filed but a huge increase in the amount of money being paid out. "Certain solicitors are advertising their services for compensation cases in an unacceptable way. Many are targeting the poorer areas of the city and their policy of 'no foal-no fee' is encouraging a greater number of claims than is warranted. The legal fees involved in these cases are a lucrative business for a lot of solicitors." The article quoted a Law Society spokeswoman as saying that the Society would defend the right of anyone genuinely injured through someone else's negligence to sue. She said that most cases were genuine but that if any evidence was produced showing that a solicitor knowingly pursued a false claim then the Society would regard that as serious misconduct and act accordingly. The Irish Times of 11 August also reported on the measures being taken by Dublin Corporation to stamp out fraudu- lent claims and quoted Noel Carroll as saying that the Corporation had discussions with the Law Society about solicitors taking on claims on a 'no foal- no fee' basis as in his view this was encouraging an immoral claims culture. Controlling entry to the professions An article in The Irish Times of 2 August 1994, by Kieran Conway, examined how entry into the professions is controlled. Noting the routes of entry to the Law School, the journalist commented that "the limit is now decided by the available places in the Law School. Those who qualify join a queue. Much more importantly, they must secure an apprenticeship with a practising solicitor. Critics say the queuing system is anti-meritorious. The

thought about how to deal with the numbers wishing to enter the profession. One, alarmed at the growth in numbers and impact on solicitors' living standards, favoured limiting entry, confining places and apprentice- ships to law graduates as happens in other disciplines; the other was prepared to leave it to the market to effect the shake-out. •

Tributes to the Chief Justice

The national daily papers on 30 July 1994 reported the tributes paid to the Hon Mr Thomas Finlay, Chief Justice, on the occasion of his final day presiding in the Supreme Court before his retirement. The papers quoted Michael O'Mahony, President of the Law Society, as saying that the Chief Justice would be remembered by solicitors as an extraordinary man who always presented as an ordinary man.

Paltry criminal injuries compensation

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The Sunday Press of 7 August reported criticism by the Law Society of the

"paltry" scope of the scheme of criminal injuries compensation.

Barbara Cahalane

Expans i on of Comp l a i n ts Sec t i on

Patricia Casey The Society's Professional Practice Department which deals inter alia with complaints, has been expanded with the appointment of an additional solicitor. Patricia Casey joined the department in March of this year. She also acts as secretary of the Society's Criminal Law Committee and the Remuneration and Costs Committee. Patricia graduated with a BA from UCD in 1972 and pursued a career in the insurance industry prior to being admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 1985. Following qualification she worked in private practice, principally dealing with personal injuries and criminal law, before joining the Law School as a tutor in 1992. Brid Brady, joined the department on 1 August replacing Catherine Brennan, Solicitor, who left the Society in June to move to County

Brid Brady Louth. Brid Brady graduated from UCD with a BA in 1972 and taught for a number of years before being admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 1978. Following qualification she worked in private practice, principally dealing with commercial and residential property and probate and administration. She joined the Law School as a full-time tutor in 1992. Brid will also act as secretary of the Society's Conveyancing Committee. Patricia Casey and Brid Brady, along with their colleague, Linda Kirwan, Senior Solicitor, Professional Practice Department, deal with initial phone calls and letters of complaint from members of the public and seek to conciliate matters where possible. The solicitors also provide administrative support to the Registrar's Committee of the Society. • i

brightest have to wait their turn, delaying their entry to the labour market, and having to bear the ! additional cost of that delay.

Furthermore, critics say, the securing of apprenticeships has nothing to do with merit but with influence." The article quoted a spokeswoman for the Society as saying that there were two schools of

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