LEGAL REFORM

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1931, Page 2

LEGAL REFORM

DRASTIC N.S.W. BILL. MAKING LITIGATION CHEAPER SYDNEY, February 14. Drastic proposals for cheapemiig litigation, including the abolition of barristers, the regulation by statue ol counsels’ fees the limitation of the time of addresses to a Court, are contained in a Bill that is expected to come before the New South Wales Parliament ■dur.ng the current session. The Attorney-General (Air Lysaght) lias already announced that be would abolish the law vacation and so keep the Courts oen continuously. This was with the idea of overcoming the congestion of business. the Labour Government takes the view that the fees charged by members of the Bar in most instances are exorbitant, and out of all proportion to'the prevailing economic conditions. It also holds, in fact, that there is no necessity for barristers and that 'if every member of the legal profession was a solicitor only, the litigant in all jurisdictions of the Court would be saved nn immense amount in fees, In any event there is a strong feeling among members of the Labour Party that the fees charged by either barristers, or solicitors should he strictly limited, or regulated by law. LAWYERS ALARMED. Although members of the Bar regard these reform proposals very seriously, ami are talking about a protest meeting, there is ample precedent in Ausrnlia for an amalgamation of the tegak profession. In Victoria and South Australia there is no formal distinction although by nn unwritten law of etiquette it still exists, The same line of demarcation between the two practices continues to he manifested, and the advocates appear in Courts in wigs and gowns. The measure contemplated by the New South Wales Government, it is said, would preclude barristers appearing in Courts so arrayed. This would give expression to the traditional Labour opposition to the parade of trappings of office in Parliament and in the law Courts. The present Speaker of the Legislative Assembly has conformed to ancient usage to the extent of wearing a gown, hut lie lias discarded the wig. 11l New South Wales there are 220 barristers, 30 of whom are King’s Counsel. In the city there are no fewer than 1000 solicitors, and this formidable legal army is augmented by a further 750 country solicitors and attorneys. A number of members of the Inner Bar (King’s Counsel) earn from 153500 to £SOOO and more a year. According to custom a King’s Counsel must he accompanied by a junior member of the Bar, who receives a fee at least two-thirds of his senior’s The litigant also has to pay solicitor’s fee. Solicitors declare that barristers receive the hulk of the legal payments and that the solicitors who work up tho oatios am) attend to practical details are often left with vary little margin after taxation,