member services directory 2018 - The Law Society of Ireland

MEMBER SERVICES DIRECTORY 2018

Cover Photo: Hugh Clohessy, partner, Clohessy Minihane Solicitors, Limerick 2 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018

CONTENTS WELCOME MESSAGE

4

1. MEMBER BENEFITS Law Society Retirement Trust Scheme PC and PII Finance Scheme 2017/18 Group Life Assurance Scheme 2018 Credit and debit card terminals

6 10 12 13

2. CAREER AND PRACTITIONER SUPPORT Career Support Legal Vacancies Practitioner Support Buy Sell Merge

16 17 18 19

3. EDUCATION AND TRAINING Law Society Professional Training Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Diploma Centre

22 23 25

4. INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE Library services Practice advisory service Practice regulation – your queries answered Advertising regulations – your queries answered Anti-money-laundering – your queries answered Data protection – your queries answered Court orders for client files – your queries answered Find a solicitor Law Society website

eNewsletters Purchase of Law Society publications Law Society Gazette Law Directory Law Society Council and committees 5. PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL SUPPORT LawCare Solicitors’ Benevolent Association Consult a Colleague Helpline Guidance and Ethics Helpline Panel to Assist Solicitors in Difficulty with the Law Society Mentor programme 6. COURT FACILITIES, B&B AND EVENTS Meeting facilities, B&B and events Law Society court facilities Law Society member logo

38 39 40 42 43

46 47 48 48 49 49 52 53 54

28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 3

WELCOME TO OUR MEMBER SERVICES DIRECTORY Dear colleagues, As part of our commitment to being a high-performance professional body for our members, we are pleased to provide you with the latest Member Services Directory – a publication that provides information on the range of member services available and how to access them. While you will likely be familiar with many of our services (such as the Gazette, the eZine, the library, the court facilities, and the solicitors’ area of the website), we hope you will also discover many of the lesser-known benefits, such as the Retirement Trust Scheme, LawCare, the Guidance and Ethics Helpline, and the B&B.

“If you would like to provide feedback on the services provided to members by the Law Society, please get in touch.”

In addition, we have recently introduced a new member logo, designed to distinguish practising solicitors, who choose to use it, from other competing professionals and non-professionals. It is available to all practising certificate holders who are also current members of the Law Society, with information available through our website. Throughout the year, there are also ongoing events and opportunities to engage with the Law Society through regional cluster events, the Communications Day, and the AGM, as well as a number of peak member fund-raising events that support worthy charitable social causes – namely, the Calcutta Run and Spring Gala. I would encourage you to seek out information on these and make the most of the opportunities your membership presents. Once again we are delighted to feature photographs of some of our members who represent the many different segments of the profession, including in-house solicitors, sole practitioners, newly qualified solicitors, and those that work in small, medium and large firms nationwide. If you would like to provide feedback on the services provided to members by the Law Society, please get in touch with me by email at [email protected]. Kind regards, Teri Kelly, Director of Representation and Member Services

4 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018

1 MEMBER BENEFITS Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 5

LAW SOCIETY RETIREMENT TRUST SCHEME OVERVIEW – Simple cost structure – Excellent member support – Choice of funds – Flexible contributions CONTACT T 1890 275 275 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/ memberbenefits

The Law Society Retirement Trust Scheme – designed specifically for the needs of Law Society members – helps you plan and save for your retirement in a way that suits you. You choose how much and how often you contribute to the scheme. You choose how to invest your contributions. When it comes to retiring, you decide how you would like to receive your benefit. The scheme has a robust governance structure, which is overseen by an independent trustee. The Solicitors Retirement Committee also regularly monitors the scheme’s governance. Benefits of the scheme • Simple charging structure: all contributions are fully invested, and the only charge is the annual management charge. There is no cost to transfer out of the scheme. • Online access to your retirement benefit information and documentation about the scheme. • Member helpline ready to answer any questions you may have. • Regular member updates on your retirement benefits and developments within the scheme and pension legislation. • Relief from income tax can be claimed on contributions made within Revenue limits. • Investment returns within the scheme are exempt from tax. • You can take your retirement benefits any time from 60 to 75, regardless of whether you continue to work. • You can contribute by regular standing order or through single lump-sum contributions. Joining the scheme Law Society members who are self-employed or in non-pensionable employment can apply to join the scheme. You must be under 75 years of age and have a source of earnings from your profession or non-pensionable employment. Joining could not be easier: just complete the application form, which can be downloaded from the Law Society website or directly from Mercer. Making contributions You choose how much you contribute. You can make contributions monthly, quarterly or annually, or make once-off contributions whenever suits you. There is no penalty for changing the amount you contribute or ceasing contributions. You can transfer funds from other personal pension arrangements, with the exception


LAW SOCIETY RETIREMENT TRUST SCHEME of occupational pension schemes or PRSAs, so that you can manage your benefits in one place. Tax relief You will receive tax relief on your contributions at your highest rate of income tax, subject to Revenue limits. Below is table showing how much it would cost you to contribute to the scheme, based on 2017 tax rates.

Your top tax rate

40%

20%

Total contribution

€200

€200

Less tax saving

€80

€40

Actual cost to you

€120

€160

Grow your retirement account Below is an overview of the funds available. You can choose any combination of these funds. Fund name

Fund type

Management style

Function

Annual management charge

Law Society Diversified Equity Fund

Equity

Active

Growth seeking

1.00%

Law Society RTS Managed Fund

Balanced

Active/passive

Growth seeking

1.00%

Law Society RTS Long Bond Type

Bond

Passive

Conservative

0.35%

Law Society RTS Cash Fund

Cash

Active

Conservative

0.20%

Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 7

LAW SOCIETY RETIREMENT TRUST SCHEME Retirement benefits From the age of 60, you can opt to receive your retirement benefits. You choose how you would like to receive your retirement benefits, for example: • Retirement lump sum – you can receive up to 25% of your retirement account as a lump sum, • Annuity – traditionally known as a pension, enables you to secure an income for life in retirement, • Approved retirement fund – you can transfer some or all of your retirement account to an approved retirement fund, allowing you to invest some of your retirement savings after you draw your retirement benefits, • Taxable cash – after taking your retirement lump sum, you may be able to take some or all of your retirement account as taxable cash. Mercer OneView You can manage your retirement account online though Mercer OneView. It allows you to view your contribution history, view and make changes to your investment choices, monitor fund performance, and update your contact details. More information You can read more about the scheme in the scheme booklet, which is available at www. lawsociety.ie/memberbenefits. Contact the JustASK helpline at 1890 275 275 or email [email protected] for further information.


Michael Quinlan, President of the Law Society of Ireland, managing partner, Dixon Quinlan Solicitors, Dublin


PC AND PII FINANCE SCHEME 2017/18 OVERVIEW – PC and PII finance – Highly competitive variable rate – Cash-flow planning tool available – Improved phone application for Law Society members CONTACT Yvonne Burke, personal secretary to the director of Finance and Administration T 01 672 4901 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/ memberbenefits Bank of Ireland T 1890 365 222 E [email protected] Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

The Law Society is pleased to advise that it has again partnered with Bank of Ireland to provide a finance facility for members and firms who wish to finance payment for their income tax, pension contributions, professional indemnity insurance, or practising certificates. Bank of Ireland can provide short-term finance for terms up to 11 months to members and firms who have a proven credit track record and meet standard lending criteria, so that the cost of these large annual payments may be spread over a term of up to 11 months. This obviously assists your business’s cash flow. The scheme offers a highly competitive unsecured rate of 5.76% (2016: 6.76%). Repayments vary depending on amount borrowed. The table below shows some examples: Loan amount

Interest rate

Term in months

Monthly repayments

Total cost of credit

€5,000

5.76%

11

€467.68

€144.48

€10,000

5.76%

11

€935.36

€288.96

€15,000

5.76%

11

€1,403.03

€433.33

€20,000

5.76%

11

€1,870.71

€577.81

Rates quoted are correct as at 10 October 2017 and are subject to change. Bank of Ireland has a team of experienced business bankers who are familiar with lending to solicitors, and their local business team would very much welcome an opportunity to talk to you about your financial needs. To apply for a loan today, phone Bank of Ireland’s Business Direct team on 1890 365 222 to complete an application form. This form is also available at www.bankofireland.com/ onlineloans. Their website also has a wide range of supports to help you in completing the application form, including a useful cash-flow planning tool to help you forecast your cash position for the next 12 months. Up-to-date financial information will be required to complete a lending application. As with all borrowing, normal lending criteria, terms, and conditions apply. You can contact the dedicated Business Direct Line on 1890 365 222 (or email [email protected]) or contact Yvonne Burke, Law Society of Ireland; tel: 01 672 4901, email: [email protected]. 10 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018

The free annual Communications Day for members — an opportunity to learn how to engage with the local media and promote the profession and your business


GROUP LIFE ASSURANCE SCHEME 2018 OVERVIEW – €47,500 cover – €4.4 million paid out in ten years – €50 premium – Most PC holders covered

In the last ten years, almost 80 solicitors’ families have received in excess of €4.4 million in payments from the Group Life Assurance Scheme. The scheme, operated by Friends First, provides cover of €47,500, and a health declaration is not normally required, although the insurers reserve their rights to request this.

CONTACT Yvonne Burke, personal secretary to the director of Finance and Administration

Who is covered by the scheme? All practising certificate holders under the age of 70, with a few exceptions, are members of the scheme. The premium of €50 is included in the practising certificate fee.

T 01 672 4901 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/ memberbenefits

Solicitors in the full-time service of the State, judges, or county registrars may apply to join the scheme on payment of the premium of €50 before 31 January 2018. You must have current Law Society membership at the time of making the application. During the practising renewal period, the scheme allows for ‘days of grace’ between 1 January and 1 February 2018 for those covered by the scheme on 31 December 2017. Claims In the event of the death of a scheme member, any payout under the scheme will form an asset in the deceased’s estate. If you would like to find out more about the scheme or to make a claim, you should contact Yvonne Burke at [email protected] or telephone 01 672 4901.


CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD TERMINALS OVERVIEW – Preferential rates for Law Society members – Mobile card terminal available – Free engineer installation and training CONTACT Elavon T 1800 995 085 E [email protected] W www.elavon.ie www.lawsociety.ie/ memberbenefits

Elavon Merchant Services offer Law Society members preferential rates for credit/debit card terminals and packages. With more clients opting to pay for services by card, firms are increasingly expected to offer card payment as an option. Some of Elavon’s packages include a mobile card terminal that can be operated away from the office – for example, when at court. Free engineer installation and training on the day is provided. You don’t have to switch banks in order to take payments from Elavon, and the funds will be in your account the next day, regardless of who you bank with. How to sign up You can contact Elavon at 1800 995 085 or email [email protected]. Ask for the Law Society’s preferential rates when making an enquiry.


Jolene McElhinney, principal, McElhinney & Associates, Stranorlar, Co Donegal


2 CAREER AND PRACTITIONER SUPPORT Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 15

CAREER SUPPORT OVERVIEW – Help with all career matters – Information on work opportunities – One-to-one consultations CONTACT Keith O’Malley, head of Support Services T 01 881 5770 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/careers

“Contact Career Support if you find yourself faced with a career challenge. The information and access to resources that they provide are invaluable.” Dudley O’Donnell, solicitor

Career Support is a key resource for solicitors faced with employment-related challenges. The team assists members who are out of work, facing changed work conditions, seeking a different career direction, or are considering work in another jurisdiction. If you have a career-related query, phone 01 881 5766 or email [email protected] to access immediate assistance. CV review service Members may email their CV to [email protected] for review and feedback. Sample CVs and a guideline on drafting CVs are also provided. One-to-one consultations Members can arrange a free-of-charge, one-to-one consultation with career advisor Keith O’Malley for guidance on career management and job-market matters. Consultations can also be provided via Skype to accommodate members who are unable to attend a meeting in Blackhall Place. Return to Work The Return to Work programme assists solicitors to navigate successfully in returning to work after time taken caring for children and other family members. The programme helps participants to access suitable work opportunities and achieve the work/life balance that they desire. CV register Solicitors may upload their CV to the Law Society website to be viewed by (member) employers seeking staff. 55+ Options Information booklets, videos, podcasts, and one-to-one support, all specially focused on employment-related needs of solicitors aged 55 and over, are available and cover matters such as job-seeking, alternative ways of working, and links to useful resources. Training and information Seminars and workshops on career and job-seeking are regularly organised. The careers section of the Law Society website contains useful information, videos and guidance – see www.lawsociety.ie/careers.


LEGAL VACANCIES OVERVIEW – Sign up for job alerts – Choice of recruiting options for employers – Display and online advertising CONTACT Malgorzata Rola, Support Services administrator T 01 672 4891 E [email protected] W www.legalvacancies.ie

“I have found the Legal Vacancies service to be very efficient and user friendly. It is an easy and quick way of finding legal staff.”

Legal Vacancies is Ireland’s premier online source of information about legal work. Members can view and post job ads on a dedicated page at legalvacancies.ie. The website receives an average of 216,000 views per month. You can sign up to receive notifications about employment opportunities. Job alerts can be personalised by type of role, geographic location, and employer. Employers can avail of a choice of service options, including display advertising, ‘hot job’ or ‘job of the week’ status, a ‘no name’ listing, candidate shortlisting, and interview arrangement service. For more information about placing an advertisement on www.legalvacancies.ie, email [email protected] or tel: 01 672 4891. Legal Vacancies newsletter The newsletter is emailed twice monthly to members who sign up for the service, covering career and job-seeking guidance, at www.legalvacancies.ie.

Hilary O’Connor, Leahy Wade Solicitors


PRACTITIONER SUPPORT OVERVIEW – Advice for practitioners, especially sole practitioners – Help with start-up challenges CONTACT Keith O’Malley, head of Support Services T 01 881 5770 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/careers

“Practitioner Support is a great resource for solicitors who want to set up in practice, buy a practice, or further develop their firm through innovation.” Karen Walsh, Walsh & Partners, Cork

Practitioner Support provides members, particularly sole practitioners, with information and support on practice management and business development matters. One-to-one guidance and support can be accessed through consultations, Skype, telephone, and email. All enquiries by members are treated confidentially. Setting up in practice Solicitors who are considering setting up in practice are assisted with matters such as how to satisfy regulatory requirements, applying for professional indemnity insurance, organising office facilities, etc. Booklets, videos, podcasts, and information are provided on the Law Society website on how to write a business plan and how to devise marketing and business development strategies. These resources are further backed up by one-to-one support. Managing a practice Existing practitioners can access a wide range of information and one-to-one guidance on matters such as buying, selling, and merging practices, integrated marketing, developing websites, and social networking. Retirement planning Solicitors in practice have access to retirement planning information booklets, videos, podcasts and one-to-one support – all aimed at successful transition from work to retirement and optimising post-retirement quality of life. Leaving practice Information booklets, videos, podcasts, and one-to-one support are available on how solicitors can organise matters in order to facilitate smooth succession and to get maximum value for the business they have built over years.


BUY SELL MERGE OVERVIEW – Free online anonymous forum for solicitors – Post or view advertisements to buy, sell or merge a practice

Buy Sell Merge is a free, anonymous, online forum developed for solicitors interested in: • Buying or selling a legal practice or block of interest, • Merging with another firm to form a partnership, • Sharing premises or other facilities.

CONTACT Keith O’Malley, head of Support Services

If you decide to buy, sell or merge your practice, one of your initial steps is to discreetly make contact with a colleague who may be interested in doing business. Buy Sell Merge can help you make that initial approach, safe in the knowledge that your identity is protected.

T 01 881 5770 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/careers

“Through Buy Sell Merge, I found a buyer for my firm. The format of the services provides flexibility to those wishing to explore all options, either by disclosure of a solicitor or firm’s identity or the maintenance of anonymity and confidentiality.”

How does it work? The first step is to log in to the Law Society website and create a Buy Sell Merge profile. The website will guide you through this process. You can then post an advertisement anonymously or respond by email to an advertisement already posted. All members can browse the advertisements; however, you must create a profile before posting or responding. If you reply to a Buy Sell Merge advertisement, your email address will be visible to the recipient. You choose the wording for your advertisement and what information you disclose, and you post it to the forum. Your advertisement will remain on the forum for six months unless you remove it. You will receive an email reminder one week before the six-month deadline. You can keep your advertisement live for another six months by updating your profile when you receive the reminder. How to access Buy Sell Merge Buy Sell Merge is found on the solicitors’ area of the Law Society website. Please visit www.lawsociety.ie/buysellmerge.

Anonymous member


Aisling Flynn, solicitor, Matheson, Dublin


3 EDUCATION AND TRAINING Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 21

LAW SOCIETY PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OVERVIEW – On-site and online CPD courses – Regional Skillnet cluster events – Legal Training eZine CONTACT Law Society Professional Training Team T 01 881 5727 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/cpd

“I attended the Law Society’s personal injuries litigation masterclass, and to call it a masterclass is an understatement. The course material was totally focused, thoroughly enjoyable and interesting, and there was interaction and participation with the panel. Each topic was perfectly delivered by an inspiring group of experienced speakers. The workshop sessions were insightful and the days not too long, with excellent time management. I would gladly state that I’ve greatly benefited from my experience in this useful course.”

Law Society Professional Training continues to be the main provider of continuing professional development education to the solicitors’ profession in Ireland. Training ranges in duration from half-day events, masterclasses (run over weekends), to longer part-time courses. As well as the on-site courses at Blackhall Place, Professional Training offers a suite of online courses and low-cost regional CPD Cluster events. Full details of the programme can be found at www.lawsociety.ie/lspt. You will also find the bimonthly legal training e-zine on the website. Training events can be booked online, by phone or by post. Law Society Professional Training incorporates the Law Society Skillnet and Finuas Networks. All solicitors’ firms in the private sector can apply for annual membership of Law Society Skillnet and/or Law Society Finuas Network, which will make them eligible for discounts on relevant training programmes. Detailed information on applying for membership is available on the website. Law Society Skillnet The Law Society Skillnet is a solicitor training network promoted by the Law Society and funded by the National Training Fund, the Department of Education and Skills, and by member firms. Skillnets manages the training network programme on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. The network aims to develop skills in each member company, skills that will increase commercial competitiveness into the future. Law Society Finuas Network The Law Society Finuas Network is a solicitor training network promoted by the Law Society. The network aims to develop skills in each member company, skills that will increase the expertise of Irish financial services, legal and taxation firms to an international standard. These skills will enhance the global competitiveness of member firms competing in the arena of international financial services.

Danny Nolan, Danny Nolan Solicitors, Dublin 2


CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME OVERVIEW – Details of latest requirement available on the website – Special requirements for sole practitioners, compliance partners, and AML compliance partners CONTACT CPD Scheme Unit T 01 672 4802 E cpdscheme@lawsocietyie W www.lawsociety.ie/cpdscheme

CPD is defined in the Solicitors (Continuing Professional Development) Regulations 2017 as “further education or training (or both) to be undertaken by a solicitor, whether relating to law or to management and professional development skills or to regulatory matters, intended to develop the solicitor in his or her professional knowledge, skills and abilities”. The CPD scheme is reviewed periodically and amended by the Education Committee of the Law Society. Who do the regulations apply to? The regulations and the scheme apply to solicitors holding current practising certificates and solicitors in the full-time service of the State. The regulations also apply to European lawyers registered with the Society and holding current qualifying certificates. Each solicitor to whom the regulations apply must complete the minimum required number of CPD hours in each CPD cycle. 2018 requirements The required hours of CPD for the 2018 cycle (for a solicitor who is not a sole practitioner or a compliance partner and/or an anti-money-laundering compliance partner) are 20 hours’ CPD (to include a minimum of three hours’ management and professional development skills and a minimum of two hours’ regulatory matters). If a solicitor is a sole practitioner or a compliance partner and/or an anti-money-laundering compliance partner, the minimum 2018 CPD requirement for such solicitor is 20 hours (to include a minimum of three hours’ management and professional development skills and a minimum of three hours’ regulatory matters, of which at least two hours must comprise accounting and anti-money-laundering compliance). The latest version of the CPD Scheme is available in the ‘Solicitors’ area of the Law Society’s website, and all solicitors are advised to read this. You will also find information on the website about modifying your CPD requirement and applying for an extension of time or special dispensation.


The Calcutta Run 2017 — the legal fundraiser — attracted 1,200 members of the profession and raised over €220,000 for homelessness charities

Donnacha Anhold, principal, Carter Anhold & Co, Sligo 24 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018

DIPLOMA CENTRE OVERVIEW – Postgraduate certificate and diploma courses – Flexible on-site and online learning – Practitioner-led lectures and workshops – Now offering an LLM Advanced Legal Practice and LLM Employment Law in Practice – Loyalty discounts available – ‘Service Provider to the Legal Profession’, AIB Irish Law Awards 2017 CONTACT Dr Freda Grealy, head of Diploma Centre T 01 672 4802 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/ diplomacentre

“The course was very comprehensive and accessible through the use of technology, delivering the content online. The lectures were really excellent.”

For over 20 years, the Diploma Centre has been providing part-time diploma and certificate postgraduate courses specifically designed for solicitors. It has a loyal, highly knowledgeable faculty of lecturers and tutors who draw on years of practical experience in the delivery of course content. Their expertise, combined with a unique blended-learning model, allows the Diploma Centre to constantly deliver top-quality courses in a way that suits busy professionals. As ever, the Diploma Centre’s commitment is to enhance the skills and career opportunities of solicitors in Ireland through a range of diverse courses that reflect value, relevance, and practicality. All its courses confer postgraduate qualifications and are available online, live, and on-demand – providing a dynamic platform of flexible, accessible learning. The Diploma Centre team is delighted to have been awarded the coveted ‘Service Provider to the Legal Profession’ for a second successive year at the recent Irish Law Awards 2017. The Diploma Centre’s supportive student-centred model ensures that the needs of course participants remain the focus of its approach. In addition to the courses, it offers an annual CPD bonus conference, meaning that course participants are able to satisfy their annual CPD requirements. The centre offers loyalty discounts to out-of-work solicitors, trainees, firms paying for multiple employees attending the same course, and applicants who have attended two or more diploma courses. Full details of courses – which include both regular core fields of interest for solicitors, as well as new and innovative programmes reflecting specialist areas of practice – can be found at www.lawsociety.ie/diplomacentre.

Fred Binchy, Binchy Solicitors, Diploma in Employment Law


Des Fitzgerald, principal, Desmond Fitzgerald & Co, Barna, Co Galway


4 INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 27

LIBRARY SERVICES OVERVIEW – 10,200 books – 16,000 reserved written judgments – Enquiry service – Precedents database – Library catalogue app – LawWatch weekly alerter CONTACT Law Society Library T 01 672 4843/4 E [email protected] OPENING HOURS Monday to Thursday, 9am to 6pm; Friday, 9am to 5pm

“The library has been one of the most invaluable resources for me as a practitioner. As a regular user, I have always found the librarians at all times professional, friendly, and helpful. The team are always willing to assist in locating the most suitable up-to-date text book, precedent or legal materials to deal with my query.” Niamh Quirke, Quirke Solicitors, Fermoy, Co Cork

The Law Society Library provides services to members of the profession, trainee solicitors, and students registered on LLM, diploma, and certificate courses. It holds a large range of legal materials, including textbooks, conference papers, journals, legislation, case law, precedents, and electronic databases. Book loans Members, trainees, and students may borrow in person, by phone, email, or online via the library catalogue. It lends books for varying periods and renews on a discretionary basis. You can collect book loans from the library or arrange to have them delivered to your office by DX tracked courier service (€5 charge applies). Books already on loan may be reserved in a queue system, and members will be notified when they become available to borrow. The library also considers purchase suggestions from members and students. Online catalogue The catalogue is accessible via the Law Society website and via the BookMyne library app for mobile users of iPhones, iPads and Android devices. The library supplies you with a user ID and PIN, which allows you to search, request, and renew. The catalogue contains records for approximately 10,200 books, 16,000 reserved written judgments, including links to full-text PDF, and legislation records for bills, acts and statutory instruments from 1997 on. It also contains entries for all major Irish and British series of law reports and legal journals. Institutional archive 1841-1945 The Law Society’s institutional archive contains Roll books, Council minutes, Court of Examiners minutes, and other historical materials, and is accessible on the online catalogue. Enquiry service The library handles a large number of requests for copies of materials, which are supplied – subject to copyright – via the library’s document supply arrangements. Enquiries include requests for law reports, copies of legislation, and journal article searching. Materials are sent by email primarily, but can also be sent by fax, post and DX. Charges apply, and you can ask us for a quote. The library has arrangements in place with a range of other law libraries in this jurisdiction and abroad to supply materials not held in stock. All enquiries are tracked to ensure a high quality and speedy service. Electronic precedent delivery service The library is licensed to supply electronic documents in MS Word format from Laffoy’s Irish Conveyancing Precedents and from the LexisNexis precedent databases. Other precedents are


LIBRARY SERVICES available in PDF from a range of textbooks and manuals. Library staff can assist members in identifying the most relevant precedent to suit their requirements, and price quotes can be given in advance. LawWatch The library compiles a free weekly alert for recent judgments circulated by the Courts Service, recent legislation, and journal articles. This service is delivered by email to all members. The library welcomes feedback – contact [email protected]. Databases The library subscribes to the following databases: LexisNexis, Justis (Irish reports, local and private acts, and European materials), Bloomsbury Professional Online Property, Casetrack (UK unreported judgment transcripts) and Legal Journals Index (Westlaw UK). Other services Wi-Fi is available in the library for connecting iPads, laptops, and other mobile devices to the internet. The guest password is available at the library desk. There are PC terminals for members and students to use for legal research purposes. Printing and photocopying services are also available via a number of self-service photocopying/printing machines.


PRACTICE ADVISORY SERVICE OVERVIEW – Confidential practice advisory service – Subsidised by the Law Society – 37 existing practices benefited in 2016 – 20 new practices used the service in 2016 CONTACT David Rowe, Outsource T 01 678 8490  E [email protected] W www.outsource-finance.ie

“I availed of the startup Practice Advisory Service when I started in practice. It has helped overcome some of the inevitable nervousness of starting your own business. The session is full of practical tips, delivered professionally in a one-on-one setting. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone.”

The Law Society has contracted OutSource to provide a confidential practice advisory service to solicitors’ firms. OutSource assists firms by: • Improving awareness of the regulatory and financial management issues in running a firm, • Advising practitioners on how they should run their firms, • Benchmarking against different sizes of firms within the profession, • Focusing on profitability, and • Suggesting the strategic options open to firms. What does it involve? The service is a half-day forum conducted on a one-to-one basis in the solicitor’s office. Any information given to the service will not be disclosed, for example, either to the Law Society or to the solicitor’s reporting accountant. Cost This service is subsidised by the Law Society, with the cost to a member being €250. Setting-up in practice A separate service has been developed, aimed at new solicitors’ firms. Again, this service is subsidised by the Society, with the cost to a member being €150. The Law Society writes directly to new firms to inform them about this service and how they can avail of it.

Sinead Durkan, Sinead Durkan Solicitors, Enniscrone, Co Sligo


PRACTICE REGULATION – YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED OVERVIEW – Guidance on practice regulation matters – Telephone calls can be conducted anonymously CONTACT Practice Regulation T E

01 879 8700 PII queries: [email protected] Opening/closing a practice: [email protected] All other queries: [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/practising

You will find detailed information about applying for a practising certificate and/or Law Society membership, opening a practice, and closing a practice on the ‘Practising’ and ‘Running a practice’ sections on the solicitors’ area of the Law Society’s website. Membership/practising certificate You can follow the step-by-step instructions to apply and pay for your practising certificate or membership online. Alternatively, you can print off the application form from the website and send your application and payment by post. Opening/closing a practice Are you considering setting up or closing a practice? If so, you may find the booklets about these issues on the ‘Running a practice’ section of the website very useful. Professional indemnity insurance The ‘Practising’ section of the website has up-to-date information on a range of insurancerelated issues, including a search facility on the current insurance status of a firm, guidance on run-off cover and renewals, relevant regulations and minimum terms and conditions, and a list of brokers and insurers. Can’t find the answer on the website? If you cannot find the answer to your regulation query on the Law Society website or would prefer to discuss your concerns with a Law Society staff member, the Practice Regulation Section is happy to help. Our dedicated staff will guide you in relation to practising certificates, membership, professional indemnity insurance, and the Law Society’s regulatory requirements for setting up a practice and/or the closure of a practice. If you prefer, telephone calls can be conducted on an anonymous basis.


ADVERTISING REGULATIONS – YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED OVERVIEW – Guidance on advertising regulations – Vetting service for draft advertisements CONTACT Advertising regulations executive T 01 879 8700 E advertisingregulations@ lawsociety.ie W www.lawsociety.ie/solicitoradvertising

The Solicitors Advertising Regulations preserve the right of a solicitor to advertise, subject to various restrictions (particularly in respect of personal injuries advertising). The Law Society has a dedicated service to guide you on any queries you may have in relation to the advertising regulations. Vetting service If you are concerned about your compliance with the regulations, you can avail of the Society’s vetting service by submitting your draft advertisements for review and comment prior to publication. Further information and guidance Guidelines to the regulations are available on the Law Society website, and a seminar on the regulations has also been developed, with CPD points available for attendance. The full text of the Solicitors (Advertising) Regulations 2002 (SI 518 of 2002), together with a summary of the advertising regulations, are available on the ‘Regulations’ section of the solicitors’ area of the Law Society’s website: www.lawsociety.ie/solicitor-advertising. Seminar on the regulations To register you interest in attending our next available seminar on advertising, please contact [email protected].


ANTI-MONEY-LAUNDERING – YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED OVERVIEW – Guidance notes – Tailored guidance – Web resource hub CONTACT Policy Development Team T 01 672 4800 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/aml

Solicitors must carry out statutory anti-money-laundering (AML) compliance duties when providing a range of legal services. In addition, solicitors should be aware of known money-laundering typologies that may arise. All solicitors should ensure that they are fully cognisant of their statutory AML duties under the 2010 and 2013 Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Acts and are familiar with the Law Society’s comprehensive AML guidance. The Society has developed a number of resources for solicitors in relation to their AML obligations, which can all be accessed in the solicitors’ area of the website. AML resources Log into the solicitors’ area of the Law Society’s website, click on the ‘solicitors’ menu, and select ‘anti-money-laundering’: www.lawsociety.ie/aml. The resources available to you include: • Guidance notes for up-to-date best practice, along with corresponding legislative provisions through hyperlinks, • Access to the client-care leaflet Money Laundering: Your Solicitor and You, to assist solicitors in explaining their statutory AML obligations to clients, • Tailored guidance for ad hoc AML queries (practitioners can contact a member of the Policy Development Team at [email protected]), • Money-laundering typology notifications – the Law Society regularly flags emerging money-laundering typologies on the website and in the eZine (practitioners should ensure they are subscribed), • Links to international AML studies for the legal profession, and • A dedicated AML web resource hub with all you need to know about AML, including links to relevant legislation and statutory instruments.


DATA PROTECTION – YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED OVERVIEW – Checklist of steps to follow – Tailored guidance – Web resource hub CONTACT Intellectual Property and Data Protection Law Committee T 01 672 4800 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/ dataprotection

Statutory data-protection duties apply to solicitors, as data controllers, in exactly the same manner as they apply to other professionals, individuals, and companies processing personal data. The Law Society has developed a number of resources for solicitors in relation to their data-protection obligations, which can all be accessed in the members’ area of the website. Data-protection resources Log in to the solicitors’ area of the Society’s website, click on the ‘solicitors’ menu, and select ‘data protection’: www.lawsociety.ie/dataprotection. The resources include: • A guidance note on how to handle requests to access data, • A checklist of suggested steps to follow, • Access to tailored guidance for ad hoc data-protection queries (practitioners can contact the Intellectual Property and Data Protection Law Committee by emailing [email protected]), and • A dedicated web resource hub with all you need to know about Law Society guidance and links to relevant Data Protection Commissioner and Law Reform Commission resources.


COURT ORDERS FOR CLIENT FILES – YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED OVERVIEW – Checklist of actions – Tailored guidance – Legislation summary CONTACT Policy Development Team T 01 672 4800 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/orders-clientfiles

The gardaí and Revenue can obtain court orders over files solicitors hold in relation to clients. The Law Society provides guidance should you or your office become the subject of a court order for a client’s file. Guidance on orders obtained by Revenue officials Solicitors should familiarise themselves with the law as it relates to section 908 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, as amended. A summary of the most important provisions of the 1997 act and a ‘checklist of actions’ have been published by the Society to help solicitors in receipt of such orders. To download the checklist and summary, log in to the solicitors’ area of the Law Society’s website, click on the ‘solicitors’ menu, and select ‘orders for client files’: www.lawsociety.ie/orders-client-files. Guidance on orders obtained by CAB officials Practitioners should follow the briefing note published by the Law Society in May 2000 entitled ‘What to do when the CAB comes to call’. This can also be accessed by logging into the solicitors’ area of the Society’s website, clicking on the ‘solicitors’ menu, and selecting ‘orders for client files’: www.lawsociety.ie/orders-client-files. Tailored best-practice guidance For further assistance on how to deal with Revenue or CAB orders and warrants, practitioners should contact a member of the Society’s Policy Development Team at [email protected].


FIND A SOLICITOR OVERVIEW – Contact details for all practising solicitors and firms – List of qualified mediators – Garda station solicitor search facility – Panel of solicitors willing to take negligence action against other solicitors – Clár na Gaeilge CONTACT Carmel Kelly, web and digital media manager T 01 672 4829 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/findasolicitor

The Law Society offers the following searches on the website to help members, companies, and the public find details of solicitors or legal firms in Ireland: • Find a solicitor, • Find a firm, • Firm’s insurance details, • Find a mediator, • Find a garda station solicitor, • Taking legal action against solicitors (Negligence Panel), and • Clár na Gaeilge – solicitors who practise through Irish. ‘Find a solicitor’ allows you to search by name and/or location for all solicitors who hold a current practising certificate and professional indemnity insurance (or are exempt from holding professional indemnity insurance as solicitor employees of non-solicitors). Some solicitors who hold practising certificates but are not currently in practice are not included – for example, some locum solicitors or recently retired solicitors. ‘Find a firm’ allows you to search for firms and organisations that employ solicitors who hold a current practising certificate, by county and/or firm name. To search for a firm’s insurance details, visit the insurance (PII) section: see www.lawsociety.ie/firm-insurance. The ‘Find a solicitor’ facility is advertised online by the Law Society using Google AdWords to drive potential clients to contact a solicitor. To use ‘Find a solicitor’ or ‘Find a firm’, see www.lawsociety.ie/findasolicitor. ‘Find a mediator’ is self-administrated by solicitors who are qualified mediators. You can search for a mediator by name, area, qualification, areas of speciality, and/or year of qualification in Ireland: see www.lawsociety.ie/findamediator.


LAW SOCIETY WEBSITE CONTACT Carmel Kelly, web and digital media manager T 01 672 4829 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie

The Law Society website contains a diverse range of information that can be navigated by topic or audience – solicitors, trainee solicitors, and the public (including students who would like to become a solicitor). The mobile version of the website allows for easier browsing on your smartphone or tablet. Login While much of the content on the site is publicly available, some areas require a solicitor login, such as precedents, anti-money-laundering guidance, regulations, and member benefits. A login account is created by the Law Society for all solicitors once you are added to the Roll. Your username is your solicitor number (printed on your practising certificate) and your secure password must be at least ten characters. Login accounts are also set up for trainee solicitors once enrolled for PPC1. For assistance, see www.lawsociety.ie/help. Profile/dashboard Solicitors can log in to view or update the details that the Law Society holds for them online by clicking on their name on the top right-hand corner of the website. Any changes will update the system and the ‘Find a solicitor’ section, as relevant. You can edit and set your address preferences and your contact email preferences. This area also allows practising solicitors to add their details to the mediator search and garda station search, view a summary of recent online purchases and bookings, add addresses, and upload their CV for potential (solicitor) employers to view or to apply for jobs advertised through the website. In 2018, we are continuing to focus on better, more streamlined engagement with our members and trainee solicitors as we expand the range of services offered online for ease of use and greater efficiencies. Apply and pay online The website shopping cart offers a facility to register and pay for courses and events, membership and practising certificate applications, purchase of books and other publications, and legal job advertisements. Access is now also available for administrators to make payments and bookings on the firm’s behalf. Engage with us Access information about the Law Society in the footer of the website, including annual reports, members of the current Council, and Law Society social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Google+). Also on email – [email protected].


eNEWSLETTERS OVERVIEW – 11 issues annually – Articles are practice related – Subscribe via the latest eZine or contact [email protected] CONTACT Carmel Kelly, web and digital media manager T 01 672 4829 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/enewsletters

The Law Society’s newsletter, the eZine, is emailed to solicitors only. All articles are written by Law Society staff, with a strong practice-related focus. It is sent 11 times per year. The eNewsletters page is under the solicitors’ representation section of the Law Society website: www.lawsociety.ie/enewsletters. You can access previous issues by clicking on the archive links in your latest eZine. President’s eBulletin The president of the Law Society uses the eBulletin to email members directly on urgent and important issues as they occur. Email address preferences To update your email address, log into the Law Society site to visit your dashboard and set your email preferences.


PURCHASE OF LAW SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS OVERVIEW – Order publications online or by post – Online list of publications CONTACT Law Society publications: Carol Doyle, accounts assistant T 01 672 4905 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/publications Law School publications: Donna O’Reilly, Law School receptionist T 01 672 4802 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/publications

The Law Society has a number of legal publications and Law School/Oxford University Press manuals for sale. You will find a full list of available publications and current prices at www.lawsociety.ie/publications. There is also a selection of free publications and client-care leaflets that members can download from the publications section of the website. The eCompendium to the Solicitors Acts 1954 to 2008 and the Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 is available to all members for free download at www.lawsociety.ie/ecompendium. You can buy a hard copy of the compendium for €30 (plus postage and packing) by calling us on 01 672 4905 or emailing [email protected]. Latest publications The latest Law Society and Law School publications are: • Conditions of Sale (2017) • Conveyancing (OUP; 8th edition, 2016), • Criminal Litigation (OUP; 4th edition, 2016), • Requisitions on Title (2015), • Business Law (OUP; 6th edition 2015). Ordering a publication You can order online at www.lawsociety.ie/publications or by post. If you opt to order by post, you will also find a booking form at that link. If you have any queries, call 01 672 4906 or email [email protected]. If your query relates to a Law School/OUP manual, you should contact 01 672 4802 or you can email [email protected].


LAW SOCIETY GAZETTE CONTACT Editorial, including news, letters, feature articles and photos: Mark McDermott, editor T 01 672 4826 E [email protected] W www.gazette.ie Professional notices: Catherine Kearney, Gazette Office: T 01 672 4828 F 01 672 4801 E [email protected] Commercial advertising: Seán Ó hOisín, 10 Arran Road, Dublin 9 T 01 837 5018 M 086 811 7116 E [email protected]

The award-winning Gazette informs members of the legal profession and others about the significant legal issues of the day through its news and feature articles and in-depth analysis pieces. As Ireland’s premier legal magazine, it receives regular coverage in the national media. Editor Mark McDermott was named ‘Editor of the Year’ in the Business-to-Business category at the Irish Magazine Awards 2016. This is Mark’s second time to win the award. The citation read: “A dedicated editor whose publication has consistently engaging covers and an ability to translate dual formats, together with strong commercial growth and innovation. The editor displays an acute awareness of and a strong relationship with his audience.” The interactive version of the Gazette is available online at www.gazette.ie. It includes all the content featured in the hard-copy issue – but with the added bonus of valuable links to legislation, judgments, video and audio, and useful literature. Both versions of the magazine are published ten times a year. The hard copy has a print run of 12,300, equating to a circulation of 36,900. This definitive source of news and information for the solicitors’ profession in Ireland delivers: • The monthly ‘President’s message’, • Articles on matters of current and practical relevance, • Analysis of changes in the law, including new regulations and legislation, • Commentary, featuring op-ed pieces, articles on human rights, and letters, • Law Society briefings, including Council reports, practice notes, legislation updates, recent developments in European law, and professional notices (including wills, title deeds, employment, and miscellaneous notices), • News from the country’s bar associations, • News about the Law Society’s representative, educational, and regulatory functions, as well as committee updates, • Reviews of recently published books. The launch of gazette.ie – the magazine’s new microsite – is forthcoming. It will provide a daily legal news service (Monday to Friday) for practitioners and members of the general public. An archive of back issues from January 1997 right up to the present can also be found at www.gazette.ie. Online indices provide useful assistance in locating articles from past issues and are available to the end of 2016.


LAW SOCIETY GAZETTE Have you moved? Members should send change-of-address details to the IT Section, Law Society of Ireland, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7, or by email to [email protected]. Advertising and professional notices Professional notices: send small ad details, with payment, to Gazette Office, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7, or email [email protected]. All cheques should be made payable to ‘Law Society of Ireland’. Commercial advertising: contact Seán Ó hOisín at tel: 01 834 6891, mob: 086 811 7116, or email: [email protected]. The Gazette’s rate card is available at www.lawsociety.ie/gazette-rates.


LAW DIRECTORY CONTACT General enquiries: Kathy McKenna, PR coordinator T 01 672 4915 E [email protected] Purchases: Carol Doyle, accounts assistant T 01 672 4905 E [email protected]

The Law Directory is a comprehensive source of information for the legal profession and is updated annually. Law Society members receive a copy each year. It contains a full listing of all solicitors holding practising certificates, as well as a wide range of useful legal information, including: • The Law Society Council, committees, working groups, taskforces, and bodies with Law Society representatives, • Meetings and important dates, • Law Society departments and personnel, • Bar associations, • Member services, • The Bar of Ireland, • Notaries public, commissioners for oaths, coroners, and the Panel to Assist Solicitors in Difficulty with the Law Society, • Firms, notaries public, and land and property services in Northern Ireland, • Statutory and general reference material, • Legal services and expert witnesses, • Sittings for the superior courts, Circuit Court and District Court, • Judges and the Courts Service, and • Licensing courts. Find a solicitor/firm Contact details for individual solicitors or firms can also be found on the Law Society website: www.lawsociety.ie/findasolicitor. Buy a copy Copies can be purchased by contacting Carol Doyle at [email protected] or by phoning 01 672 4905.


LAW SOCIETY COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES OVERVIEW – All members can vote in Council elections – Council members elected for a two-year term – 16 advisory committees

The governing body of the Law Society of Ireland is its Council. Ordinary members of the Council are elected for a two-year term, and approximately half the Council steps down each year (15 in one year, 16 the next). The same applies to the provincial delegates, with two stepping down each year and successful candidates being elected for a two-year term. The elections are conducted in October, with every member of the profession throughout the country (and the relevant province for provincial delegates) being entitled to vote. The results of the election are declared at the annual general meeting in November. Extraordinary members are appointed annually at the Council meeting held in November each year. Advisory committees The advisory committees deal with particular areas of the law and report to the Council on their activities. There are 16 advisory committees, which provide a valuable support service for Law Society members in terms of information, practice notes, leaflets, seminars, and much more. They provide a regular interface with members, and deal with practice queries. The advisory committees are: • Alternative Dispute Resolution, • Business Law, • Conveyancing, • Criminal Law, • Employment and Equality Law, • EU and International Affairs, • Family and Child Law, • Guidance and Ethics,

• Human Rights, • In-House and Public Sector, • Intellectual Property and Data Protection Law, • Litigation, • Probate, Administration and Trusts, • Taxation, • Technology, and • Younger Members.

The advisory committees comprise volunteers from the profession, aided by committee secretaries, who are members of Law Society staff. Contact a committee Contact with a committee should be made through its secretary, whose details are in the Law Directory. Each of the advisory committees has a section on the solicitors’ area of the Law Society’s website (www.lawsociety.ie), including up-to-date information about the committee and its work. The Law Directory contains a full listing of the Law Society Council, standing committees, non-standing committees, working groups, and task forces.


Caption Niamh Regan, partner, Regan Solicitors, Blackrock, Co Dublin


5 PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL SUPPORT Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 45

LAWCARE OVERVIEW – Free confidential helpline – Operates 365 days per year

LawCare promotes, raises awareness of, and supports well-being within the legal community. In particular, it helps members of the legal profession manage the demands of a legal career.

CONTACT LawCare Helpline

LawCare is a free, independent, and confidential service funded by the Law Society.

T 1800 991 801 E [email protected] W www.lawcare.ie To volunteer: T 0044 1268 771 333 E [email protected]

“I called LawCare and found it extremely helpful to have an understanding and anonymous voice to talk to.” Anonymous solicitor

When can LawCare help? If you have had a stressful day or are struggling with a personal issue, you can call LawCare’s free and confidential helpline on 1800 991 801 for a chat with trained staff and volunteers. LawCare offers someone to talk to, 365 days a year, and everyone answering the phone has first-hand experience of working in law. LawCare’s website provides practical information and advice on maintaining well-being and links to other sources of help. Who can access LawCare? The service is available to all members of the legal community: practitioners and those in training, including staff and immediate families. Accessing support You can access the LawCare Helpline by calling 1800 991 801. It operates 365 days a year, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 7.30pm, and on weekend/British public holidays from 10am to 4pm. Out-of-hours calls are connected to an answering service and are returned within 24 hours. You can also get in touch by emailing [email protected]. LawCare’s factsheets are available to download from www.lawcare.ie.


SOLICITORS’ BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION OVERVIEW – Financial assistance for solicitors and their families – Confidential support – Donations welcome CONTACT Geraldine Pearse, Solicitors’ Benevolent Association secretary T 01 283 9528 E contact@solicitorsbenevolent association.com W www.solicitorsbenevolent association.com

The Solicitors’ Benevolent Association offers financial assistance to members or former members of the solicitors’ profession, their spouses, families and immediate dependents throughout the 32 counties. All applications are dealt with in the strictest of confidence. Applicants vary from elderly widows and widowers struggling on an inadequate fixed income, to younger members with several dependent children. The association has been helping solicitors and their families since 1863. How can you help? The association relies on the support of its directors and Law Society members, not only for financial support but also to keep them in touch with people in need. You can subscribe to the association when paying your practising certificate fee or by making a donation to a director or the secretary, Geraldine Pearse. Legacies and the proceeds of fundraising events are always welcome. A list of the directors is found in the Law Directory. Making an application Information on the assistance provided, guidance on how to make an application for assistance, and the application form are available from the association’s secretary at tel: 01 283 9528 or can be downloaded from www.solicitorsbenevolentassociation.com.


CONSULT A COLLEAGUE HELPLINE OVERVIEW – Professional and personal help – Confidential – Option to remain anonymous – Volunteers are experienced solicitors CONTACT Consult a Colleague T 01 284 8484 E [email protected] W www.consultacolleague.ie

The Consult a Colleague Helpline is a free, confidential nationwide service for solicitors. Helpline volunteers are all experienced solicitors who can help colleagues with professional and personal issues. Callers can choose to remain anonymous. Typical professional issues that the helpline can assist with include: • The running of a practice, • Legal situations, and • Finance and accounts, • Compliance issues. • Staff and HR issues, Personal issues might relate to: • Bullying, • Harassment,

• •

Inability to cope with work, and Associated stress and depression.

The helpline was set up by the Dublin Solicitors’ Bar Association and is funded by the Law Society. It operates completely independently of the Law Society. Assistance The Consult a Colleague website contains a full list of its volunteers and committee members. Callers to the helpline (01 284 8484) will hear a recorded message with the contact details of the volunteers on call for that week. There are two solicitors on call at all times or – if for any reason a person does not wish to discuss the matter with the volunteers then on call – callers can choose someone from the full list of volunteers.

GUIDANCE AND ETHICS HELPLINE OVERVIEW – Assistance with matters of conduct – Guided to relevant published material

The Guidance and Ethics Committee operates the Guidance and Ethics Helpline. Solicitors who are concerned about their own position on any matter of conduct should not hesitate to contact the secretary to the committee at the Law Society. You will be assisted and informed about any relevant published material, including practice notes. You will then be in a position to make an informed professional judgement on the particular matter.

CONTACT Linda Kirwan, solicitor T 01 6724800 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/guidanceethics-committee 48 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018

PANEL TO ASSIST SOLICITORS IN DIFFICULTY WITH THE LAW LAW SOCIETY OVERVIEW – Assists solicitors with their initial response to the Law Society following notice of a complaint – List of panel members is available in the Law Directory and on the website CONTACT Pamela Connolly, secretary to Linda Kirwan, Guidance and Ethics Committee secretary T 01 672 4800 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/guidanceethics-committee

The panel scheme assists solicitors with their initial response to the Law Society, following notice to the solicitor of a complaint or other difficulty in relation to their practice. However, panel solicitors often find that they are also asked to become involved later on in the regulatory process. Panel work within the ambit of the scheme itself is on a voluntary basis. However, if the solicitor in difficulty is taken on as a client later in the regulatory process, it would be presumed that a fee will be charged. The solicitor’s professional indemnity insurance will cover this work, as it would any other legal service. List of panel members The list of panel members is available in the Law Directory, in the resources area of the Guidance and Ethics Committee’s section of the solicitors’ area of the Law Society’s website (www.lawsociety.ie/guidance-ethics-committee), or on request from Pamela Connolly at [email protected].

MENTOR PROGRAMME FOR SOLICITORS SETTING UP IN PRACTICE OVERVIEW – Confidential mentor register – Free, informal guidance available

If you have recently set up in practice or are thinking about setting up, the mentor programme can put you in touch with a more experienced practitioner who is willing to act as your mentor.

CONTACT Keith O’Malley, head of Support Services

Mentors give guidance on an informal and voluntary basis. You can contact them for onceoff guidance or develop a long-term arrangement.

T 01 881 5770 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/setuppractice

If you would like to be mentored, you should request a copy of the Law Society’s mentor register and then choose a mentor from the register to make contact with. Requests for a copy of the mentor register should be emailed to Keith O’Malley at [email protected] or telephone 01 881 5772. New mentors for those setting up in practice are always welcome. If you are interested in volunteering, you should also contact Keith O’Malley. Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 49

Caroline Dee-Brown, general counsel, Commission for Communications Regulation, Dublin


6 COURT FACILITIES, B&B AND EVENTS Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 51

MEETING FACILITIES, EVENTS AND ACCOMMODATION OVERVIEW – Competitive B&B rates – Range of meeting rooms – Wedding receptions – Corporate or private events CONTACT Events: Gary Hodkinson, Events Team T 01 672 4918 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/venuehire B&B: Reception at Law Society of Ireland T 01 672 4800 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/bandb

“The Law Society B&B facilities are very convenient to both Heuston Station and the Four Courts, and the rates are very reasonable for central Dublin. It is also a trip down memory lane to the good old days of my Blackhall Place adventures!”

The Law Society’s unique and historic premises at Blackhall Place has a range of rooms that can be hired by members for conferences, meetings, and functions. Meetings or events The Presidents’ Hall, the Council Chamber, and the Members’ Dining Room are available to hire, as are meeting rooms, a tiered lecture theatre, and seminar rooms. Videoconferencing, audio-visual equipment, and catering are also available. Outdoor events are held in the walled garden and football pitch, with the option of retreating to the Old Library Bar, the Members’ Bar, or the Blue Room if it rains. Blackhall Place is a popular venue for private functions such as gala dinners, wedding receptions, and civil marriages. A wedding brochure can downloaded from the Law Society website. You will find it under ‘courses and events’ at www.lawsociety.ie/venuehire. Booking an event or meeting Event management is handled by the Fitzers Catering team. Booking a meeting or event is easy, with a user-friendly online booking system on the Law Society website (www.lawsociety.ie/venuehire). The lecture theatre has very limited availability, so early booking is advised. Bed and breakfast Members can avail of B&B at Blackhall Place at a cost of €45 for a single room and €65 for a double/twin room. All rooms are en suite, with television and tea/coffee-making facilities. Rooms are limited, so early booking is recommended. Booking the B&B To check availability or book a room, contact reception at [email protected].

Anonymous, Co Kerry


LAW SOCIETY COURT FACILITIES OVERVIEW – 26 consultation rooms – Free Wi-Fi – Mobile phone charging – Catering

The Law Society services and consultation rooms available at the Four Courts and the facilities at the Criminal Courts complex are among the most popular member services.

CONTACT Paddy Caulfield, Four Courts

Four Courts The Law Society has 26 consultation rooms available for hire at the Four Courts. All of the rooms have air conditioning, phone services, and free Wi-Fi. Two rooms have videoconferencing facilities. An assistive hearing loop is available on request. Catering can be ordered in advance of your meeting.

T 01 668 1806 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/ fourcourtsbookings

For booking enquiries, please contact Paddy, Dolores or Amy at 01 668 1806, or you can book online at www.lawsociety.ie/fourcourtsbookings. Early booking is recommended if you require wheelchair access, as not all of the rooms are wheelchair accessible. The Friary Café is open to all Law Society members. The Law Society office at the Four Courts provides a range of useful services to members, including: • Photocopying, • Fax machine, • Free Wi-Fi, • Remote printing, • Cloakroom, • Mobile phone recharging, and • Mobile phone coverage boosters. The Solicitors’ Reading Room and Solicitors’ Writing Room are available free of charge to members. The Solicitors’ Writing Room has a suite of laptop portals with free internet access. Criminal Courts complex All members can avail of the Solicitors’ Room, with over 30 workplaces, wireless internet access, and photocopying facilities available on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis. It also has video-conferencing facilities linked to Cloverhill Prison. Video-conferencing must be arranged directly with the prison.


LAW SOCIETY MEMBER LOGO CONTACT Judith Tedders, member services executive

The Law Society has introduced a new member logo, designed to distinguish practising solicitors who choose to use it from other competing professionals and non-professionals.

T 01 881 5772 E [email protected] W www.lawsociety.ie/Solicitors/ Representation/Member-Logo

The new logo features an image of Lady Justice, blindfolded and proudly holding aloft the scales of justice. It has been introduced for use on firm stationery, websites, business cards, and various other marketing materials. It represents the benefits and protections clients enjoy every time they use a solicitor. Accordingly, it is a symbol of trust, knowledge, regulation, insured protection, professionalism, qualification and legal learning. Use of the logo is restricted to practising certificate holders who are also current members of the Law Society. It is available to download from the members’ area of the website.

Practising solicitors vinyl sticker.indd 1

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Law Society of Ireland thanks the members whose photographs appear in this booklet: Hugh Clohessy, Caroline DeeBrown, Des Fitzgerald, Aisling Flynn, Jolene McElhinney, and Niamh Regan. We very much appreciate you giving so generously of your time to contribute to this Member Services Directory. We also thank those who provided testimonials.


Blackhall Place Dublin 7

t +353 1 672 4800 f +353 1 672 4801

e [email protected] w www.lawsociety.ie
