The Gazette 1995

GAZETTE

NOVEMBER 1995

T E C H N 0 L O G

N

T E

Long Term Storage of Documents

Concern has recently been expressed about the danger of print degenerating or even falling off documents - especially wills - which have been printed on laser printers. Regarding the technical side of the durability of laser print, the paper used is the critical factor although there are other factors to be taken into account also. If the paper's acidity falls below 7.0pH (neutral) there is a danger of letters falling off. With a laser printer the toner ('ink') is electrostatically attached to the surface of the paper and thus can peel off without damaging the paper beneath. The toner can be removed by certain solvents and plastics such as the plastics used in certain vinyl storage folders or wallets. Archival requirements should be discussed with one's paper supplier because some archival demands are more stringent than others and may require a specific degree of alkalinity and chemical stability. Rough handling and folding of the paper is not recommended. As laser print technology has only existed for a

few years so the effect over a period of (say) 60 years storage in a will safe is unknown. Laser print can also be affected by wet conditions where both paper and toner could absorb water causing the print to fall off. Documents should be stored in good dry storage conditions. Obviously the use of a dot matrix printer or a daisywheel printer which physically impresses the print into the paper would be preferable for very long term storage. Inkjet and bubblejet printers apply ink to the paper which soak in and therefore should be more stable for archival purposes. However these printers are a relatively recent innovation and so it has not been possible to say whether print will fade over a long period in storage. It is equally important to realise that even though the print on a will may be stable, if the will is stored in an envelope which itself has a high acidic content this will adversely affect the

print on the document.

Where the long term storage and preservation of legal documents e.g. wills, is involved generally one should follow professional archival principles in the creation and care of records which must be permanently preserved by:- i • printing on acid free paper; • binding should follow accepted archival methodologies; • storage should be to a reasonable standard in acid free covers and boxes; ; Further reading ! The Practice Development Committee of the English Law Society have | formally considered these problems and the Committee's comments were published in (1995) English Gazette, 8 March, at page 31. • in an environmentally controlled area.

Henry C.P. Barry

Law Society of Ireland Final Examination - First Part NOTICE

THE SICK AND INDIGENT ROOMKEEPERS'

This Notice concerns persons who have obtained a degree in law on or after 22 September 1990 (which included, as part of the degree course, the passing of examinations in any five or more of the following eight subjects: Company Law, Constitutional Law, Contract, Criminal Law, Equity, European Union Law, Real Property, Tort) from any one of the following Universities:

SOCIETY "DUBLIN'S OLDEST CHARITY" Since 1790 we have been helping Dublin's poor. Please help us to continue with a bequest or donation.

(i) the University of Dublin; (ii) University College, Cork; (in) University College, Galway; (iv) University College, Dublin;

*

(v) the University of Limerick; (vi) the Queen's University of Belfast. Applications are invited, prior to 1 March 1996, from such persons who seek to be exempted from the requirement to sit the Society's Final Examination - First Part. NOTE: 1. An applicant who has passed five, six or seven only of the eight subjects listed above, as part of his/her degree course, will be required to pass an examination in the remaining subject or subjects to be set by the Society. 2. An applicant who has obtained a degree in law from the Queen's University of Belfast will, in any event, be required to pass an examination in Constitutional Law to be set by the Society. An application form (including applicable criteria and conditions) is available on request from: Albert Power, Law School Principal, Law Society of Ireland, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7. V

34, Lr. Lesson St. Dublin 2. Telephone: 6769191

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