MEMBER SERVICES DIRECTORY 2018 - The Law Society of Ireland
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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 eNewsletters 38
Purchase of Law Society publications 39
1. MEMBER BENEFITS Law Society Gazette 40
Law Society Retirement Trust Scheme 6 Law Directory 42
PC and PII Finance Scheme 2017/18 10 Law Society Council and committees 43
Group Life Assurance Scheme 2018 12
Credit and debit card terminals 13 5. PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL
SUPPORT
2. CAREER AND LawCare 46
PRACTITIONER SUPPORT Solicitors’ Benevolent Association 47
Career Support 16 Consult a Colleague Helpline 48
Legal Vacancies 17 Guidance and Ethics Helpline 48
Practitioner Support 18 Panel to Assist Solicitors in Difficulty with the
Buy Sell Merge 19 Law Society 49
Mentor programme 49
3. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Law Society Professional Training 22 6. COURT FACILITIES, B&B AND EVENTS
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 23 Meeting facilities, B&B and events 52
Diploma Centre 25 Law Society court facilities 53
Law Society member logo 54
4. INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE
Library services 28
Practice advisory service 30
Practice regulation – your queries answered 31
Advertising regulations – your
queries answered 32
Anti-money-laundering – your
queries answered 33
Data protection – your
queries answered 34
Court orders for client files – your
queries answered 35
Find a solicitor 36
Law Society website 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.
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
“If you would like to members of the Law Society, with information available through our website.
provide feedback on
Throughout the year, there are also ongoing events and opportunities to engage with the
the services provided
Law Society through regional cluster events, the Communications Day, and the AGM,
to members by the Law as well as a number of peak member fund-raising events that support worthy charitable
Society, please get in social causes – namely, the Calcutta Run and Spring Gala.
touch.”
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 t.kelly@lawsociety.ie.
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 The Law Society Retirement Trust Scheme – designed specifically for the needs of Law
– Simple cost structure Society members – helps you plan and save for your retirement in a way that suits you. You
– Excellent member support
– Choice of funds choose how much and how often you contribute to the scheme. You choose how to invest
– Flexible contributions your contributions. When it comes to retiring, you decide how you would like to receive
your benefit.
CONTACT
T 1890 275 275 The scheme has a robust governance structure, which is overseen by an independent
E justASK@mercer.com trustee. The Solicitors Retirement Committee also regularly monitors the scheme’s
W www.lawsociety.ie/ governance.
memberbenefits
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
6 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018
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 Function Annual
style management
charge
Law Society Equity Active Growth seeking 1.00%
Diversified
Equity Fund
Law Society Balanced Active/passive Growth seeking 1.00%
RTS Managed
Fund
Law Society Bond Passive Conservative 0.35%
RTS Long Bond
Type
Law Society Cash Active Conservative 0.20%
RTS Cash Fund
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
justASK@mercer.com for further information.
8 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018
Michael Quinlan,
President of the Law Society of Ireland,
managing partner,
Dixon Quinlan Solicitors, Dublin
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 9PC AND PII FINANCE SCHEME 2017/18
OVERVIEW The Law Society is pleased to advise that it has again partnered with Bank of Ireland to
– PC and PII finance provide a finance facility for members and firms who wish to finance payment for their
– Highly competitive variable rate
– Cash-flow planning tool income tax, pension contributions, professional indemnity insurance, or practising
available certificates.
– Improved phone application for
Law Society members 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
CONTACT the cost of these large annual payments may be spread over a term of up to 11 months. This
Yvonne Burke, personal secretary obviously assists your business’s cash flow.
to the director of Finance and
Administration
The scheme offers a highly competitive unsecured rate of 5.76% (2016: 6.76%).
T 01 672 4901
E y.burke@lawsociety.ie Repayments vary depending on amount borrowed. The table below shows some examples:
W www.lawsociety.ie/
memberbenefits
Loan amount Interest rate Term in months Monthly Total cost of
Bank of Ireland repayments credit
T 1890 365 222
€5,000 5.76% 11 €467.68 €144.48
E businesslending@boi.com €10,000 5.76% 11 €935.36 €288.96
Bank of Ireland is regulated by the €15,000 5.76% 11 €1,403.03 €433.33
Central Bank of Ireland €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
businesslending@boi.com) or contact Yvonne Burke, Law Society of Ireland; tel: 01 672
4901, email: y.burke@lawsociety.ie.
10 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018The free annual Communications Day for members — an opportunity to learn how to engage with the local media and promote the
profession and your business
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 11GROUP LIFE ASSURANCE SCHEME 2018
OVERVIEW In the last ten years, almost 80 solicitors’ families have received in excess of €4.4 million in
– €47,500 cover payments from the Group Life Assurance Scheme.
– €4.4 million paid out in ten years
– €50 premium
– Most PC holders covered 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 Who is covered by the scheme?
to the director of Finance and All practising certificate holders under the age of 70, with a few exceptions, are members
Administration of the scheme. The premium of €50 is included in the practising certificate fee.
T 01 672 4901
E y.burke@lawsociety.ie Solicitors in the full-time service of the State, judges, or county registrars may apply to
W www.lawsociety.ie/ join the scheme on payment of the premium of €50 before 31 January 2018. You must have
memberbenefits 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 y.burke@lawsociety.ie or telephone 01 672 4901.
12 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD TERMINALS
OVERVIEW Elavon Merchant Services offer Law Society members preferential rates for credit/debit
– Preferential rates for Law card terminals and packages.
Society members
– Mobile card terminal available
– Free engineer installation and With more clients opting to pay for services by card, firms are increasingly expected to
training offer card payment as an option.
CONTACT Some of Elavon’s packages include a mobile card terminal that can be operated away from
Elavon the office – for example, when at court. Free engineer installation and training on the day
is provided.
T 1800 995 085
E sales@elavon.com
W www.elavon.ie You don’t have to switch banks in order to take payments from Elavon, and the funds will
www.lawsociety.ie/ be in your account the next day, regardless of who you bank with.
memberbenefits
How to sign up
You can contact Elavon at 1800 995 085 or email sales@elavon.com. Ask for the Law
Society’s preferential rates when making an enquiry.
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 13Jolene McElhinney, principal, McElhinney & Associates, Stranorlar, Co Donegal 14 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018
2
CAREER AND
PRACTITIONER
SUPPORT
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 15CAREER SUPPORT
OVERVIEW Career Support is a key resource for solicitors faced with employment-related challenges.
– Help with all career matters The team assists members who are out of work, facing changed work conditions, seeking
– Information on work
opportunities a different career direction, or are considering work in another jurisdiction. If you have a
– One-to-one consultations career-related query, phone 01 881 5766 or email careers@lawsociety.ie to access immediate
assistance.
CONTACT
Keith O’Malley, head of Support CV review service
Services Members may email their CV to careers@lawsociety.ie for review and feedback. Sample
CVs and a guideline on drafting CVs are also provided.
T 01 881 5770
E careers@lawsociety.ie
W www.lawsociety.ie/careers 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
“Contact Career also be provided via Skype to accommodate members who are unable to attend a meeting
Support if you find in Blackhall Place.
yourself faced with a Return to Work
career challenge. The The Return to Work programme assists solicitors to navigate successfully in returning
information and access to work after time taken caring for children and other family members. The programme
to resources that they helps participants to access suitable work opportunities and achieve the work/life balance
that they desire.
provide are invaluable.”
Dudley O’Donnell, solicitor 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.
16 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018LEGAL VACANCIES
OVERVIEW Legal Vacancies is Ireland’s premier online source of information about legal work.
– Sign up for job alerts Members can view and post job ads on a dedicated page at legalvacancies.ie. The website
– Choice of recruiting options for
employers receives an average of 216,000 views per month.
– Display and online advertising
You can sign up to receive notifications about employment opportunities. Job alerts can
be personalised by type of role, geographic location, and employer.
CONTACT
Malgorzata Rola, Support Services
administrator 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
T 01 672 4891 arrangement service.
E legalvacancies@lawsociety.ie
W www.legalvacancies.ie
For more information about placing an advertisement on www.legalvacancies.ie, email
legalvacancies@lawsociety.ie or tel: 01 672 4891.
“I have found the Legal
Vacancies service to be Legal Vacancies newsletter
The newsletter is emailed twice monthly to members who sign up for the service, covering
very efficient and user career and job-seeking guidance, at www.legalvacancies.ie.
friendly. It is an easy
and quick way of finding
legal staff.”
Hilary O’Connor, Leahy Wade
Solicitors
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 17PRACTITIONER SUPPORT
OVERVIEW Practitioner Support provides members, particularly sole practitioners, with information
– Advice for practitioners, and support on practice management and business development matters.
especially sole practitioners
– Help with start-up challenges
One-to-one guidance and support can be accessed through consultations, Skype,
telephone, and email.
CONTACT
Keith O’Malley, head of Support
Services All enquiries by members are treated confidentially.
T 01 881 5770 Setting up in practice
E k.omalley@lawsociety.ie Solicitors who are considering setting up in practice are assisted with matters such as
W www.lawsociety.ie/careers
how to satisfy regulatory requirements, applying for professional indemnity insurance,
organising office facilities, etc.
“Practitioner Support
Booklets, videos, podcasts, and information are provided on the Law Society website on
is a great resource for how to write a business plan and how to devise marketing and business development
solicitors who want to strategies. These resources are further backed up by one-to-one support.
set up in practice, buy
a practice, or further Managing a practice
Existing practitioners can access a wide range of information and one-to-one guidance on
develop their firm matters such as buying, selling, and merging practices, integrated marketing, developing
through innovation.” websites, and social networking.
Karen Walsh, Walsh & Partners,
Retirement planning
Cork
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.
18 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018BUY SELL MERGE
OVERVIEW Buy Sell Merge is a free, anonymous, online forum developed for solicitors interested in:
– Free online anonymous forum • Buying or selling a legal practice or block of interest,
for solicitors
– Post or view advertisements to • Merging with another firm to form a partnership,
buy, sell or merge a practice • Sharing premises or other facilities.
If you decide to buy, sell or merge your practice, one of your initial steps is to discreetly make
CONTACT
Keith O’Malley, head of Support contact with a colleague who may be interested in doing business. Buy Sell Merge can help
Services you make that initial approach, safe in the knowledge that your identity is protected.
T 01 881 5770 How does it work?
E k.omalley@lawsociety.ie
W www.lawsociety.ie/careers 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
“Through Buy Sell browse the advertisements; however, you must create a profile before posting or responding.
Merge, I found a buyer If you reply to a Buy Sell Merge advertisement, your email address will be visible to the
recipient.
for my firm. The format
of the services provides You choose the wording for your advertisement and what information you disclose, and you
flexibility to those post it to the forum. Your advertisement will remain on the forum for six months unless you
wishing to explore 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
all options, either by receive the reminder.
disclosure of a solicitor
or firm’s identity or How to access Buy Sell Merge
the maintenance Buy Sell Merge is found on the solicitors’ area of the Law Society website. Please visit
www.lawsociety.ie/buysellmerge.
of anonymity and
confidentiality.”
Anonymous member
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 19Aisling Flynn, solicitor,
Matheson, Dublin
20 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 20183
EDUCATION
AND TRAINING
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 21LAW SOCIETY PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
OVERVIEW Law Society Professional Training continues to be the main provider of continuing
– On-site and online CPD courses professional development education to the solicitors’ profession in Ireland.
– Regional Skillnet cluster events
– Legal Training eZine
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
CONTACT Training offers a suite of online courses and low-cost regional CPD Cluster events. Full
Law Society Professional Training
Team 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
T 01 881 5727 phone or by post.
E lspt@lawsociety.ie
W www.lawsociety.ie/cpd
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
“I attended the Law Law Society Skillnet and/or Law Society Finuas Network, which will make them eligible
Society’s personal injuries for discounts on relevant training programmes. Detailed information on applying for
litigation masterclass, and membership is available on the website.
to call it a masterclass is
Law Society Skillnet
an understatement. The
The Law Society Skillnet is a solicitor training network promoted by the Law Society
course material was totally and funded by the National Training Fund, the Department of Education and Skills, and
focused, thoroughly by member firms. Skillnets manages the training network programme on behalf of the
enjoyable and interesting, Department of Education and Skills. The network aims to develop skills in each member
and there was interaction company, skills that will increase commercial competitiveness into the future.
and participation with
the panel. Each topic Law Society Finuas Network
was perfectly delivered The Law Society Finuas Network is a solicitor training network promoted by the Law Society.
by an inspiring group of The network aims to develop skills in each member company, skills that will increase the
experienced speakers. The expertise of Irish financial services, legal and taxation firms to an international standard.
workshop sessions were These skills will enhance the global competitiveness of member firms competing in the
insightful and the days not arena of international financial services.
too long, with excellent
time management. I would
gladly state that I’ve
greatly benefited from my
experience in this useful
course.”
Danny Nolan, Danny Nolan
Solicitors, Dublin 2
22 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME
OVERVIEW CPD is defined in the Solicitors (Continuing Professional Development) Regulations 2017
– Details of latest requirement as “further education or training (or both) to be undertaken by a solicitor, whether relating
available on the website
– Special requirements for sole to law or to management and professional development skills or to regulatory matters,
practitioners, compliance intended to develop the solicitor in his or her professional knowledge, skills and abilities”.
partners, and AML compliance
partners The CPD scheme is reviewed periodically and amended by the Education Committee of the
Law Society.
CONTACT
CPD Scheme Unit Who do the regulations apply to?
The regulations and the scheme apply to solicitors holding current practising certificates
T 01 672 4802
E cpdscheme@lawsocietyie and solicitors in the full-time service of the State. The regulations also apply to European
W www.lawsociety.ie/cpdscheme 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.
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 23The 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 2018DIPLOMA CENTRE
OVERVIEW For over 20 years, the Diploma Centre has been providing part-time diploma and
– Postgraduate certificate and
certificate postgraduate courses specifically designed for solicitors. It has a loyal, highly
diploma courses
– Flexible on-site and online knowledgeable faculty of lecturers and tutors who draw on years of practical experience in
learning the delivery of course content. Their expertise, combined with a unique blended-learning
– Practitioner-led lectures and model, allows the Diploma Centre to constantly deliver top-quality courses in a way that
workshops
suits busy professionals.
– Now offering an LLM Advanced
Legal Practice and LLM
Employment Law in Practice As ever, the Diploma Centre’s commitment is to enhance the skills and career opportunities
– Loyalty discounts available of solicitors in Ireland through a range of diverse courses that reflect value, relevance, and
– ‘Service Provider to the Legal
practicality. All its courses confer postgraduate qualifications and are available online,
Profession’, AIB Irish Law
Awards 2017 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.
CONTACT
Dr Freda Grealy, head of Diploma
Centre 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
T 01 672 4802 CPD bonus conference, meaning that course participants are able to satisfy their annual
E f.grealy@lawsociety.ie
CPD requirements. The centre offers loyalty discounts to out-of-work solicitors, trainees,
W www.lawsociety.ie/
diplomacentre firms paying for multiple employees attending the same course, and applicants who have
attended two or more diploma courses.
“The course was very Full details of courses – which include both regular core fields of interest for solicitors,
comprehensive and as well as new and innovative programmes reflecting specialist areas of practice – can be
found at www.lawsociety.ie/diplomacentre.
accessible through
the use of technology,
delivering the content
online. The lectures were
really excellent.”
Fred Binchy, Binchy Solicitors,
Diploma in Employment Law
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 25Des Fitzgerald, principal,
Desmond Fitzgerald & Co,
Barna, Co Galway
26 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 20184
INFORMATION
AND GUIDANCE
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 27LIBRARY SERVICES
OVERVIEW The Law Society Library provides services to members of the profession, trainee solicitors,
– 10,200 books and students registered on LLM, diploma, and certificate courses. It holds a large range
– 16,000 reserved written
judgments of legal materials, including textbooks, conference papers, journals, legislation, case law,
– Enquiry service precedents, and electronic databases.
– Precedents database
– Library catalogue app Book loans
– LawWatch weekly alerter
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.
CONTACT You can collect book loans from the library or arrange to have them delivered to your office
Law Society Library by DX tracked courier service (€5 charge applies). Books already on loan may be reserved in
T 01 672 4843/4 a queue system, and members will be notified when they become available to borrow. The
E libraryenquire@lawsociety.ie library also considers purchase suggestions from members and students.
OPENING HOURS Online catalogue
Monday to Thursday, 9am to 6pm;
Friday, 9am to 5pm 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
“The library has records for approximately 10,200 books, 16,000 reserved written judgments, including
been one of the most 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
invaluable resources journals.
for me as a practitioner.
As a regular user, I Institutional archive 1841-1945
have always found the 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
librarians at all times catalogue.
professional, friendly,
and helpful. The team Enquiry service
are always willing to 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
assist in locating the requests for law reports, copies of legislation, and journal article searching. Materials are
most suitable up-to-date sent by email primarily, but can also be sent by fax, post and DX. Charges apply, and you
text book, precedent or can ask us for a quote. The library has arrangements in place with a range of other law
legal materials to deal 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.
with my query.”
Niamh Quirke, Quirke Solicitors, Electronic precedent delivery service
Fermoy, Co Cork 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
28 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018LIBRARY 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 m.gaynor@lawsociety.ie.
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.
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 29PRACTICE ADVISORY SERVICE
OVERVIEW The Law Society has contracted OutSource to provide a confidential practice advisory
– Confidential practice advisory service to solicitors’ firms. OutSource assists firms by:
service
– Subsidised by the Law Society • Improving awareness of the regulatory and financial management issues in running a
– 37 existing practices benefited firm,
in 2016 • Advising practitioners on how they should run their firms,
– 20 new practices used the • Benchmarking against different sizes of firms within the profession,
service in 2016
• Focusing on profitability, and
• Suggesting the strategic options open to firms.
CONTACT
David Rowe, Outsource What does it involve?
T 01 678 8490 The service is a half-day forum conducted on a one-to-one basis in the solicitor’s office.
E dr@outsource-finance.com Any information given to the service will not be disclosed, for example, either to the Law
W www.outsource-finance.ie Society or to the solicitor’s reporting accountant.
Cost
“I availed of the start- This service is subsidised by the Law Society, with the cost to a member being €250.
up Practice Advisory
Service when I started Setting-up in practice
A separate service has been developed, aimed at new solicitors’ firms. Again, this service
in practice. It has helped
is subsidised by the Society, with the cost to a member being €150. The Law Society writes
overcome some of the directly to new firms to inform them about this service and how they can avail of it.
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.”
Sinead Durkan, Sinead Durkan
Solicitors, Enniscrone, Co Sligo
30 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018PRACTICE REGULATION – YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED
OVERVIEW You will find detailed information about applying for a practising certificate and/or Law
– Guidance on practice regulation Society membership, opening a practice, and closing a practice on the ‘Practising’ and
matters
– Telephone calls can be ‘Running a practice’ sections on the solicitors’ area of the Law Society’s website.
conducted anonymously
Membership/practising certificate
You can follow the step-by-step instructions to apply and pay for your practising certificate
CONTACT
Practice Regulation or membership online. Alternatively, you can print off the application form from the
website and send your application and payment by post.
T 01 879 8700
E PII queries: Opening/closing a practice
piihelpline@lawsociety.ie
Opening/closing a practice: Are you considering setting up or closing a practice? If so, you may find the booklets about
firms@lawsociety.ie these issues on the ‘Running a practice’ section of the website very useful.
All other queries:
pc@lawsociety.ie Professional indemnity insurance
W www.lawsociety.ie/practising
The ‘Practising’ section of the website has up-to-date information on a range of insurance-
related 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.
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 31ADVERTISING REGULATIONS – YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED
OVERVIEW The Solicitors Advertising Regulations preserve the right of a solicitor to advertise, subject to
– Guidance on advertising various restrictions (particularly in respect of personal injuries advertising).
regulations
– Vetting service for draft
advertisements The Law Society has a dedicated service to guide you on any queries you may have in
relation to the advertising regulations.
CONTACT
Advertising regulations executive Vetting service
If you are concerned about your compliance with the regulations, you can avail of the
T 01 879 8700 Society’s vetting service by submitting your draft advertisements for review and comment
E advertisingregulations@ prior to publication.
lawsociety.ie
W www.lawsociety.ie/solicitor-
advertising 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 advertisingregulations@lawsociety.ie.
32 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018ANTI-MONEY-LAUNDERING – YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED
OVERVIEW Solicitors must carry out statutory anti-money-laundering (AML) compliance duties
– Guidance notes when providing a range of legal services. In addition, solicitors should be aware of known
– Tailored guidance
– Web resource hub 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
CONTACT comprehensive AML guidance. The Society has developed a number of resources for
Policy Development Team
solicitors in relation to their AML obligations, which can all be accessed in the solicitors’
T 01 672 4800 area of the website.
E aml@lawsociety.ie
W www.lawsociety.ie/aml 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 aml@lawsociety.ie),
• 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.
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 33DATA PROTECTION – YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED
OVERVIEW Statutory data-protection duties apply to solicitors, as data controllers, in exactly the
– Checklist of steps to follow same manner as they apply to other professionals, individuals, and companies processing
– Tailored guidance
– Web resource hub 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.
CONTACT
Intellectual Property and Data
Protection Law Committee Data-protection resources
Log in to the solicitors’ area of the Society’s website, click on the ‘solicitors’ menu, and
T 01 672 4800 select ‘data protection’: www.lawsociety.ie/dataprotection.
E k.kane@lawsociety.ie
W 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
k.kane@lawsociety.ie), 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.
34 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018COURT ORDERS FOR CLIENT FILES – YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED
OVERVIEW The gardaí and Revenue can obtain court orders over files solicitors hold in relation to
– Checklist of actions clients. The Law Society provides guidance should you or your office become the subject
– Tailored guidance
– Legislation summary of a court order for a client’s file.
Guidance on orders obtained by Revenue officials
CONTACT Solicitors should familiarise themselves with the law as it relates to section 908 of the
Policy Development Team
Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, as amended. A summary of the most important provisions of
T 01 672 4800 the 1997 act and a ‘checklist of actions’ have been published by the Society to help solicitors
E aml@lawsociety.ie in receipt of such orders. To download the checklist and summary, log in to the solicitors’
W www.lawsociety.ie/orders-client- area of the Law Society’s website, click on the ‘solicitors’ menu, and select ‘orders for client
files
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
aml@lawsociety.ie.
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 35FIND A SOLICITOR
OVERVIEW The Law Society offers the following searches on the website to help members, companies,
– Contact details for all practising and the public find details of solicitors or legal firms in Ireland:
solicitors and firms
– List of qualified mediators • Find a solicitor,
– Garda station solicitor search • Find a firm,
facility • Firm’s insurance details,
– Panel of solicitors willing to • Find a mediator,
take negligence action against
other solicitors • Find a garda station solicitor,
– Clár na Gaeilge • Taking legal action against solicitors (Negligence Panel), and
• Clár na Gaeilge – solicitors who practise through Irish.
CONTACT
Carmel Kelly, web and digital media ‘Find a solicitor’ allows you to search by name and/or location for all solicitors who hold a
manager current practising certificate and professional indemnity insurance (or are exempt from
holding professional indemnity insurance as solicitor employees of non-solicitors). Some
T 01 672 4829 solicitors who hold practising certificates but are not currently in practice are not included
E webmaster@lawsociety.ie
W www.lawsociety.ie/findasolicitor – 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.
36 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018LAW SOCIETY WEBSITE
CONTACT The Law Society website contains a diverse range of information that can be navigated
Carmel Kelly, web and digital media by topic or audience – solicitors, trainee solicitors, and the public (including students
manager
who would like to become a solicitor). The mobile version of the website allows for easier
T 01 672 4829 browsing on your smartphone or tablet.
E webmaster@lawsociety.ie
W www.lawsociety.ie 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 – webmaster@lawsociety.ie.
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 37eNEWSLETTERS
OVERVIEW The Law Society’s newsletter, the eZine, is emailed to solicitors only. All articles are written
– 11 issues annually by Law Society staff, with a strong practice-related focus. It is sent 11 times per year. The
– Articles are practice related
– Subscribe via the latest eZine or eNewsletters page is under the solicitors’ representation section of the Law Society website:
contact ezine@lawsociety.ie www.lawsociety.ie/enewsletters.
You can access previous issues by clicking on the archive links in your latest eZine.
CONTACT
Carmel Kelly, web and digital media
manager President’s eBulletin
The president of the Law Society uses the eBulletin to email members directly on urgent
T 01 672 4829 and important issues as they occur.
E webmaster@lawsociety.ie
W www.lawsociety.ie/enewsletters
Email address preferences
To update your email address, log into the Law Society site to visit your dashboard and set
your email preferences.
38 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018PURCHASE OF LAW SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
OVERVIEW The Law Society has a number of legal publications and Law School/Oxford University
– Order publications online or by Press manuals for sale. You will find a full list of available publications and current prices
post
– Online list of publications at www.lawsociety.ie/publications.
There is also a selection of free publications and client-care leaflets that members can
CONTACT download from the publications section of the website.
Law Society publications:
Carol Doyle, accounts assistant
The eCompendium to the Solicitors Acts 1954 to 2008 and the Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009
T 01 672 4905 is available to all members for free download at www.lawsociety.ie/ecompendium. You can
E accrec@lawsociety.ie buy a hard copy of the compendium for €30 (plus postage and packing) by calling us on
W www.lawsociety.ie/publications
01 672 4905 or emailing accrec@lawsociety.ie.
Law School publications:
Donna O’Reilly, Law School Latest publications
receptionist The latest Law Society and Law School publications are:
T 01 672 4802 • Conditions of Sale (2017)
E d.oreilly@lawsociety.ie • Conveyancing (OUP; 8th edition, 2016),
W www.lawsociety.ie/publications • 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 accrec@lawsociety.ie. If your query
relates to a Law School/OUP manual, you should contact 01 672 4802 or you can email
d.oreilly@lawsociety.ie.
Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018 39LAW SOCIETY GAZETTE
CONTACT The award-winning Gazette informs members of the legal profession and others about
Editorial, including news, letters, the significant legal issues of the day through its news and feature articles and in-depth
feature articles and photos:
Mark McDermott, editor analysis pieces. As Ireland’s premier legal magazine, it receives regular coverage in the
national media.
T 01 672 4826
E gazette@lawsociety.ie Editor Mark McDermott was named ‘Editor of the Year’ in the Business-to-Business
W www.gazette.ie
category at the Irish Magazine Awards 2016. This is Mark’s second time to win the award.
Professional notices: The citation read: “A dedicated editor whose publication has consistently engaging covers
Catherine Kearney, and an ability to translate dual formats, together with strong commercial growth and
Gazette Office: innovation. The editor displays an acute awareness of and a strong relationship with his
T 01 672 4828 audience.”
F 01 672 4801
E gazetteadmin@lawsociety.ie 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
Commercial advertising:
Seán Ó hOisín, to legislation, judgments, video and audio, and useful literature.
10 Arran Road, Dublin 9
Both versions of the magazine are published ten times a year. The hard copy has a print
T 01 837 5018 run of 12,300, equating to a circulation of 36,900. This definitive source of news and
M 086 811 7116
E sean@lawsociety.ie 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.
40 Law Society of Ireland Member Services Directory 2018You can also read
