The Gazette 1994

GAZETTE

OCTOBER 1994

N E W S

S m a l l F i r m s g i v e S o l i c i t o r s 9 0 % A survey conducted by the Small Firms Association of the relationship between small firms and their solicitors found that over 90% of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the services provided by their solicitors and 72% felt they had got good value for money for the fees paid for legal services. According to the survey, 79% of respondents said they were not kept informed by their solicitors about changes in legislation. The details of the survey in which 436 small firms participated and which was conducted by the SFA in association with Partners-at Law, Solicitors, were released on 26 September. Only 15% of those respondents who said they were dissatisfied felt that their solicitors were too expensive. The most common complaints were about delay and lack of communication. The survey found that fees were agreed in advance with 25% of respondents. In a statement to the press, the Law Society welcomed the 90% satisfaction finding. On the question of delay the Society pointed out that frequently delays were not the fault of solicitors but arose from understaffing in public departments and a poorly-resourced courts system. The Law Society statement pointed out that the Solicitors (Amendment) Bill would oblige solicitors to agree in advance with a client the fee for the legal services being provided, or supply an estimate, or information about the basis on which the client would be charged - a measure which, in the Society's view, would benefit consumers and the solicitors' profession. • English Agents: Agency work undertaken for Irish solicitors in both litigation and non-contentious matters - including legal aid. Fearon & Co., Solicitors, Westminster House, 12 The Broadway, Woking, Surrey GU21 5AU.

C o m p e n s a t i o n F u n d P a y m e n t s - S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 9 4 The following claim amounts were admitted by the Compensation Fund Committee and approved for payment by the Council of the Law Society at its meeting in September 1994.

P r a c t i c e M a n a g e m e n t G u i d e l i n e s A p p r o v e d The Council of the Society has approved the text of Practice Management Guidelines, intended as a practical management tool for solicitors. (See Gazette p. 248 June 1994.) The Guidelines have been developed by the Practice Management Committee and will be distributed to each firm of solicitors in mid- October. The Guidelines will be presented in a ring binder and, over the coming months, the Practice Management Committee will be publishing a series of Practice Management Notes which will be distributed to members of the profession via the Gazette in a format suitable for storing in the Guidelines binder. • Work has commenced on the compilation of the 1995 edition of the Law Directory which will reflect the status of members of the Society as on l November 1994. All members of the Society are asked to ensure that they have checked the Law Directory forms sent to them last September showing the details that will be published about them and/or their firm. Any member of the Society who has not returned the form should do so immediately if any changes are required. If there are no changes there is no need to return the form. The 1995 edition of the Directory will be dispatched to members of the Society in early January. • L a w D i r e c t o r y 1 9 9 5

IR£

Michael Collier, 2 Ross Terrace, Malahide, Co. Dublin. John J O'Reilly, 7 Farnham Street, Cavan, Co. Cavan. 63/65 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Diarmuid Corrigan, 6 St. Agnes Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12. Michael Dunne,

11,418.12

5,337.54

405.00

2,967.50

James C Glynn, Dublin Road, Tuam, Co. Galway.

4,410.00

Peter M Fortune,

1 1,776.60

38 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.

Jonathan P T Brooks, 17/18 Nassau Street, Dublin 2.

1,000,000.00

1,036,314.76

•

ARAB LAWS: Established London Barrister with Contacts. Available for advice on Construction / Commercial Agreements / Disputes Negotiations / Marriage & Probate. International Law Chambers:

Tel: 0044-483-726272. Fax: 0044-483-725807.

Tel: (0044-71 221 5684) Fax: (0044-71 221 5 685)

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