Solicitors (Amendment) Act, 1994

Evidence of education, employment and character (section 27 of Principal Act).

43.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 27:

Evidence of education, employment and character.

27.—(1) Before a person becomes bound by indentures of apprenticeship, he shall give notice to the Society of his intention so to do and shall furnish the Society with such evidence as may be prescribed of his previous education and employment record and of his character.

(2) Where the Society are satisfied with the evidence furnished under subsection (1) of this section by a person seeking to become bound by indentures of apprenticeship and with any information obtained from any enquiries they deem it proper to make and are satisfied that that person has complied with the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) of subsection (1) of section 25 (as substituted by the Solicitors (Amendment) Act, 1994) of this Act, the Society shall issue their written consent to such person becoming bound by indentures of apprenticeship.

(3) Where the Society are not satisfied with the evidence furnished under subsection (1) of this section by a person seeking to become bound by indentures of apprenticeship, the Society may decide to refuse to issue their written consent under subsection (2) of this section to such person becoming bound by indentures of apprenticeship, and where the Society so decide they shall, as soon as practicable, send a notice in writing to that person stating the decision, the date thereof and the reasons therefor.

(4) A person to whom a decision made under subsection (3) of this section relates may, within a period of two months from the date of receipt by him of notice in writing stating that decision, apply to the President of the High Court to rescind that decision, and the President of the High Court, on hearing such application and on directing such further enquiries as he may think fit, may by order—

(i) confirm that it was proper for the Society to make that decision, or

(ii) rescind that decision and direct the Society to issue their written consent under subsection (2) of this section to such person becoming bound by indentures of apprenticeship.

(5) The registrar shall refuse to register indentures of apprenticeship produced to him under section 28 of this Act unless the indentures are accompanied by a consent issued under this section and dated not earlier than six months before the date of the indentures.

(6) Service of an apprentice under indentures of apprenticeship of which registration has been refused under this section shall be deemed not to be good service by the apprentice under his indentures.”.