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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 2

Written Answers. - Legal Costs.

Bernard Allen

Question:

22 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice the steps he will take in respect of each of the following matters which could help reduce legal costs in this country: (a) the revision of Court rules of procedures in order to minimise the necessity for oral presentation of minor matters before judges (b) the removal of the Irish language test for solicitors, in order to allow solicitors from other jurisdictions to practise in this country and Irish solicitors to practise abroad and (c) allowing Irish firms of solicitors to enter into profit-sharing or partnership arrangements with foreign lawyers and/or members of other professions.

Paul McGrath

Question:

29 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the steps he will take in respect of each of the following matters which could help reduce legal costs in this country: (a) the revision of court rules of procedures in order to minimise the necessity for oral presentation of minor matters before judges (b) the removal of the Irish language test for solicitors, in order to allow solicitors from other jurisdictions to practise in this country and Irish solicitors to practise abroad and (c) allowing Irish firms of solicitors to enter into profit-sharing or partnership arrangements with foreign lawyers and/or members of other professions.

Michael Finucane

Question:

39 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Justice the steps he will take in respect of each of the following matters which could help reduce legal costs in this country: (a) the revision of court rules of procedures in order to minimise the necessity for oral presentation of minor matters before judges, (b) the removal of the Irish language test for solicitors, in order to allow solicitors from other jurisdictions to practise in this country and Irish solicitors to practise abroad, and (c) allowing Irish firms of solicitors to enter into profit-sharing or partnership arrangements with foreign lawyers and/or members of other professions.

John Bruton

Question:

43 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice the steps he will take in respect of each of the following matters which could help reduce legal costs in this country: (a) the revision of court rules of procedures in order to minimise the necessity for oral presentation of minor matters before judges, (b) the removal of the Irish language test for solicitors, in order to allow solicitors from other jurisdictions to practise in this country and Irish solicitors to practise abroad, and (c) allowing Irish firms of solicitors to enter into profit-sharing or partnership arrangements with foreign lawyers and/or members of other professions.

Louis J. Belton

Question:

44 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Justice the steps he will take in respect of each of the following matters which could help to reduce legal costs in this country: (a) the revision of court rules or procedures in order to minimise the necessity for oral presentation of minor matters before judges, (b) the removal of the Irish language test for solicitors, in order to allow solicitors from other jurisdictions to practise in this country and Irish solicitors to practise abroad, and (c) allowing Irish firms of solicitors and enter into profit-sharing or partnership arrangements with foreign lawyers and/or members of other professions.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 29, 39, 43 and 44 together.

Legislation is being prepared in my Department to facilitate the introduction of pre-trial procedures in High Court civil cases, with the aim of settling subsidiary issues arising in such cases at the pre-trial stage and shortening trials, which could reduce legal costs.

The other matters referred to in the Deputy's question come within the scope of the recent study of the legal profession carried out by the Fair Trade Commission. I understand that the commission's report will be published shortly by the Minister for Industry and Commerce and I will consider what further changes may be necessary in the legislation governing solicitors, in the light of the commission's recommendations.

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