Talking point for solicitors

Stellin

http://www.lawsociety.ie/displayCDAContent.aspx?groupID=149&headerID=13590&code=latest_news

Does anyone else find it odd that our representative body is running courses to assist barristers in crossing over to become solicitors at a time when there are high levels of unemployment in the profession?!

hada

Stellin wrote: »

http://www.lawsociety.ie/displayCDAContent.aspx?groupID=149&headerID=13590&code=latest_news

Does anyone else find it odd that our representative body is running courses to assist barristers in crossing over to become solicitors at a time when there are high levels of unemployment in the profession?!

One word. Money.

Stellin

Money is a possible factor although the place is awash with cash. I'm not sure that CPD is seen by them as a great moneyspinner. I think someone ran with this idea without thinking it through. Is there someone down there who thinks that running a course like is in the interests of the profession? I've no problem with barristers crossing over. It's bound to happen. I also understand that there are competition issues and that the Society cannot appear to be raising barriers to entry and so on but surely this is a bridge too far. Surely its the Bar Council who should be running this course. I may be wrong but I'd be astounded if the Bar Council were making efforts to accomodate the transfer of solicitors over to the Bar.

impr0v

Stellin wrote: »

Is there someone down there who thinks that running a course like is in the interests of the profession?

Why would it not be in the interests of the profession?

Stellin

The point I'm making is that the Society is supposed to act in the interests of its members, not barristers who are having a difficult time making a living down the Law Library. The idea that it would go the extra yard to facilititate the transfer of barristers with 3 years PQE into a profession where there's significant unemployment conflicts with its responsibility to look after its existing members.

cotwold

Im sure its just to generate a bit of extra money. Demand and supply is a possibility as well, there might be a lot of interest from barristor. I think its in the interest in the Society to stay open for its existing members and if generating some cash is whats needed i dont see the problem.

nuac

I agree with Stellin - far too many solicitors qualified as it is.

Have the Bar Library any similar provision for solicitors who may wish to become barristers?

Stellin

It's not about staying open for existing members. There is not even a remote possibility of the Law Society having to close up shop. If you've seen the annual accounts, there is absolutely no necessity for the law Society to generate money from CPD! Especially when it's at the expense of newly qualified solicitors who can't find work.

I've no doubt that there'll be plenty of interest from barristers but it's not the Law Society's place to facilitate them. It's the Law Society's place to set the transfer exams and allow access to those barristers meet the criteria, but that's where it ends.

focusing

This is actually a restriction on entry put in place by the Law Society to cut down on the numbers of barristers transferring over.

It only happens once a year, whereas in England there are dozens of opportunities to take the single exam you need to transfer, and there's no need to take an expensive course.

Johnny Utah

I, for one, welcome our new..........