LAW SOCIETY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8363, 25 February 1913, Page 11

LAW SOCIETY

WELLINGTON DISTRICT. Tho annual meeting of the Wellington District Law Society was held last evening. The report, .which was adopted, showed that from death or otherwise 1 the society lost twelve members during the year, but during tile samo l period ten new members were enrolled, leaving a membership of 209, of whom reside in the city and yd u» the country. Twenty-nine applicants twentyeight of whom resided in this district '—have boon admitted as barristers or solicitors, or both, since last report,, namely: nine as barristers and solicit tors, and fourteen as solicitors, not) previously admitted; one as solicitor, previously admitted in England; and) five as barristers under section 5 of' tho Law Practitioners Act, 1903. For tho entire Dominion 122 notices of intention to apply for admission were received during the year, viz.: Auckland 26, Canterbury 12, Gisborne 4, Hamilton 7, Hawke's Bay 7, Marlborough 4, Otago 12, Southland 4, Taranaki 11, Wellington 33, and Westlaud 2. (In 1911 tho notices numbered 85.) 01 the above, 23 were for admission as barristers and solicitors, 66' as solicitors (one each on English, Irish, and Scotch qualifications), and 33 as barristers previously admitted m tho Dominion as solicitors. Magistrates’ Court Amendment Act, 1909. —Tixe following resolution was passed and remitted to the Government, viz.! "That the attention of tho Minister of Justice be called to the advisability of amending tho form of summons m the Magistrate’s Court by printing on the face, m largo red type,, a warning to defendants that unless they give due notice of intention toi defend they will not be allowed to do-, fend the action, except .by leave of’ the court on special grounds.” The suggestion has been given effect to. Public Trust Olhca.—Several complaints were received by tho council during the year from solicitors aggrieved at the methods alleged to be adopted by the Public Trust Office to obtain business. The council beingaware that similar complaints from practitioners outside this district had been made to the New Zealand Law Society, and that a deputation from that society had waited upon the Pub-, lio Trustee and reported, sent the complaints received to the New Zealand, Law Society, in whose hands the mat* ters still remain. Oommission Charged by Solicitors.— At tho request of a country practitioner, the council made the following pronouncement: “Tho . council sees no objection to a solicitor being remunerated on a commission basis for his services in effecting a sale on his client’s instructions, but it may be inadvisable that such solicitor shall act; for the purchaser in approving title.” Complaints.—Two cases ip hand at the close of last year were dismissed, there being no grounds for action. In tho two cases m which rules nisi to ■trike off were reported to have been obtained last year, the Court of Appeal in each case suspended the. offender from practice for a period ' ot three years. Seven complaints were received . during - the past year. One of these involved charges against member* of three separate firms in connection with an exchange of land. The council could see nothing improper or unprofessional in tho conduct of any of tho alleged offenders, .accepted their explanations, and dismissed the complaints. Complaint was made against, an unprofessional person tor preparing and charging for a transfer of land. Action was taken, but discontinued, the offender expressing contrition and paying all costs. A circular letter and business card issued by an unprofessional person in the Auckland district, holding himself out to act as town agent for solicitors, search titles, etc., was received. The council referred this matter to the Auckland Law Society to deal with. The advertiser, pn being informed that he was acting in contravention to the Act, expressed regret, - ceased so to act. Fom complaints were received and dealt with. ' Office-bearers for 1913 wore elected ■a follows: President, Mr C. £. Monson, K. 0.; vice-president, Mr ■O. H. Treadwell; council, Messrs W. H. D. Bell, O. N, Beere, M. M. F. Lucldo, T. Neave, H- H. Ostler, L. O. H. Tripp; hon. treasurer, Mr J. A. Tripe; auditor, Mr W. P. “Ward; New Zealand council of law reporting (Wellington members), Hon. F. H. D. Bell, K.C... Mr Edward Stafford; New Zealand Law Society (Wellington members of council), Hon. F. H. D. Bell, K.C., Mr C. B. Morison, K.U.