Solicitors Act, 1954

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Number 36 of 1954.


SOLICITORS ACT, 1954.


ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I.

Preliminary and General.

Section

1.

Short title.

2.

Commencement.

3.

Interpretation.

4.

Performance of functions of Society.

5.

Regulations generally.

6.

Delegation by Chief Justice.

7.

Repeals.

PART II.

The Registrar of Solicitors and the Roll of Solicitors.

8.

Registrar of solicitors.

9.

Roll of solicitors.

10.

Admission and enrolment.

11.

Limitation of time for certain applications to strike off roll.

12.

Notification of death.

PART III.

The Disciplinary Committee.

13.

Disciplinary Committee.

14.

Applications to Disciplinary Committee.

15.

Procedure where solicitor applies for removal of his name from roll.

16.

Procedure where charge is made against solicitor.

17.

Procedure where application is made for replacement on roll.

18.

Orders by Disciplinary Committee on inquiry.

19.

Powers of Disciplinary Committee as to taking evidence etc.

20.

Rules regulating applications to Disciplinary Committee and inquiries.

21.

Filling effect, and notice of order made by Disciplinary Committee.

22.

Application of Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879.

23.

Appeal against order of Disciplinary Committee.

PART IV.

Qualifying for Admission as Solicitor.

24.

Requirements for admission as solicitor.

25.

Requirements for admission to apprenticeship.

26.

Term of indentures.

27.

Evidence of good character.

28.

Registration of indentures.

29.

Restriction on solicitor taking or retaining apprentice.

30.

Saver for service of apprentice where solicitor disqualified.

31.

Prohibition on taking of apprentice.

32.

Assignment of indentures or fresh indentures on death of solicitor, etc.

33.

General power to discharge indentures.

34.

Discharge or assignment of indentures on removal from roll, etc.

35.

Order transferring indentures.

36.

Number of apprentices.

37.

Obligation to serve bona fide apprenticeship.

38.

Holding of office or engaging in employment during apprenticeship.

39.

Relief against irregularity with respect to service of apprentice.

40.

Education and examinations.

41.

General exemption from preliminary examination.

42.

Special exemption from preliminary examination.

43.

Exemptions for practising barrister of five years' standing.

44.

Exemptions (reciprocal provisions.).

45.

Appeals under Part IV.

PART V.

Practising Certificates.

46.

Issue of practising certificates.

47.

Application for practising certificate.

48.

Date and period of validity of practising certificate.

49.

Direction to refuse practising certificate.

50.

Suspension of practising certificate on adjudication in bankruptcy.

51.

Termination of suspension of practising certificate.

52.

Effect of suspension or practising certificate.

53.

Evidence of holding or not holding practising certificate.

PART VI.

Practice.

54.

Qualifications for acting as solicitor.

55.

Prohibition on unqualified person acting as solicitor.

56.

Prohibition on pretending to be solicitor.

57.

Costs not recoverable where solicitor acts while not qualified to practise.

58.

Restriction on drawing documents, etc.

59.

Prohibition on solicitor acting as agent for unqualified person.

60.

Restriction on employment of person struck off roll or suspended.

61.

Carrying on of practice in case of death or disability.

62.

Prohibition with respect to introduction of business.

63.

Disclosure of having been struck off roll, etc.

64.

Bodies corporate.

65.

Right of audience in certain cases.

PART VII.

Accounts for Solicitors.

66.

Regulations for accounts.

67.

Provisions with respect to banking companies.

68.

Priority of claims to clients' moneys.

PART VIII.

The Compensation Fund.

69.

Compensation Fund.

70.

Contributions to Compensation Fund.

PART IX.

Professional Practice, Conduct and Discipline.

71.

Regulations for professional practice, conduct and discipline.

PART X.

Miscellaneous.

72.

Stamp duties.

73.

Committees of the Council.

74.

Inspection of file of proceedings in bankruptcy of solicitor.

75.

Qualification for holding office of former barrister.

76.

Cesser of limitation on value of land.

77.

Prosecution of offences.

78.

Amendment of bye-laws so as to conform with this Act and regulations thereunder.

79.

Authentication and evidence of regulations and other documents.

80.

Service of documents.

81.

Notification by practising solicitor of change in place of business.

82.

Fees payable to the Society.

83.

Rules of Court and costs.

84.

Construction of certain references.

85.

Application of Attorneys' and Solicitors' Act, 1870.

86.

Saver for solicitors to the Revenue Commissioners and other persons.

87.

Saver for authorisation to conduct action, etc.

88.

Transitional provisions.

FIRST SCHEDULE.

SECOND SCHEDULE.

THIRD SCHEDULE.

FOURTH SCHEDULE.

FIFTH SCHEDULE.

SIXTH SCHEDULE.


Acts Referred to

Interpretation Act, 1937

No. 38 of 1937

Legal Practitioners (Qualification) Act, 1929

No. 16 of 1929

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Number 36 of 1954.


SOLICITORS ACT, 1954.


AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMISSION, ENROLMENT AND CONTROL OF SOLICITORS OF THE COURTS OF JUSTICE AND TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE MATTERS AFORESAID. [22nd December, 1954.]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:—