THE QUALIFICATIONS OF BARRISTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 1 May 1907, Page 3

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF BARRISTERS.

To the Editor. Sir, —Apropos of the mooting" of the Taranaki District Law Society on Friday last, the Kith inst., there is one matter which, though probably overlooked by the public generally, deserves moiv than passing notice. 1 refer to the resolution which was submitted to the meeting and passed urging upon the Government the advisability of repealing the Law Practitioners' Act, 1898. The main feature of this Act is that a solicitor of live years' standing is entitled to be admitted and enrolled, and to practice as a barrister of the Supreme Court of New-Zealand. It is pleasing to note that this matter is receiving serious attention, for every person in the community would wish, if the necessity exists, to see the standard or the profession raised, as a sound education both legal and otherwise, is essential to n fully equipped barrister. The , .esohttion under consideration may lie 1 regarded as having more force than that which strikes the eve of a casual reader, in that it appears to luivo received the unanimous support of a body of legal practitioners, some of whom owe their qualification as barristers to the indulgence of the Act of 181)8. This may be

regarded as a confession from liarri.-lers of practical experience, who were called to tliu liar under tlic provisions of i!ie Act which they now sock to have repealed. that a higher standard of education tlian that li t v virtue of which they were admitted is indeed necessary. 1 do not wish to charge any of the members of the Taranaki District Law Society with the spirit of selfishness, lint it does strike me as not being altogether unselfish that some, lniving lieen called to the bur, through a particular door (the Act of 18118), should now wish to have that door closed to others l>y repealing the Act mentioned. I do not know whether the members of the Law Society are aware that a solicitor of live years' standing in the United Kingdom can, on application, be called to the bar, and practice as a barrister in the Superior Courts of Judicature there. Lord Russell, of Killowen, was a solicitor of five years'' standing, who took advantage of the provisions in the Law Practitioners' Act in force there, which enabled him to ■be called to the bar. In conclusion I venture to say that if a better legal education is insisted on, and the Act of 18118 repealed, the means indicated will

not meet the end ill view. Moreover, should the Act be repealed as suggested, then I most 'respectively submit that those barristers wh't took advantage of the' Act of 1S!)8 should pass the examinations prescribed in lieu of the Act—l am, etc., "CHASTE." ,