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Uimhir 36 de 1954.
AN tACHT ATURNAETHE, 1954.
[An tiontó oifigiúil.]
CUID I.
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta.
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht Aturnaethe, 1954, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh mar leanas:
(a) tiocfaidh an méid den Acht a bhaineas le déanamh rialacha agus rialachán agus le heisiúint fógraí agus réamh-imeachta eile le haghaidh scrúduithe i ngníomh ar dháta an Achta seo a rith,
(b) tiocfaidh alt 44 den Acht seo i ngníomh mar foráltar san alt sin,
(c) tiocfaidh an chuid eile den Acht i ngníomh an 6ú lá d'Eanáir, 1955.
Léiriú.
3.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “an Chomhairle” Comhairle an Chumainn;
tá leis an abairt “an Coiste Araíonachta” an bhrí a bheirtear di in alt 13;
folaíonn “feidhmeanna” cumhachta agus dualgais;
ciallaíonn “bliain chleachta” aon bhliain dar críoch an 5ú lá d'Eanáir;
tá leis an abairt “deimhniú cleachta” an bhrí a bheirtear di in alt 46;
ciallaíonn an briathar “forordú” forordú le rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an gCumann;
tá leis an abairt “clár na n-aturnaethe cleachtacha” an bhrí a bheirtear di in alt 47;
tá leis an bhfocal “cláraitheoir” an bhrí a bheirtear dó in alt 8;
tá leis an abairt “an rolla” an bhrí a bheirtear di in alt 9;
ciallaíonn “an Cumann” Dlí-Chumann Corpraithe na hÉireann;
ciallaíonn “aturnae” aturnae do na Cúirteanna Breithiúnais; tá leis an abairt “aturnae i seirbhís lánaimsire an Stáit” an bhrí a bheirtear di i bhfo-alt (3) d'alt 54;
tá leis an abairt “aturnae atá cáilithe chun cleachtadh” an bhrí a bheirtear di i bhfo-alt (1) d'alt 54;
tá réim ag na focail “iontaobhas” agus “iontaobhaí” maidir le hiontaobhais intuigthe nó iontaobhais inchiallaithe agus maidir le cásanna ina bhfuil leas tairbhiúil sa mhaoin iontaobhais ag an iontaobhaí, agus maidir leis na dualgais a ghabhas le hoifig ionadaí phearsanta, agus folaíonn an focal “iontaobhaí”, má cheadaíonn an comhthéacs é, ionadaí pearsanta;
ciallaíonn “duine neamhcháilithe”—
(a) aturnae nach aturnae atá cáilithe chun cleachtadh, nó
(b) duine nach aturnae.
(2) Aon tagairt atá san Acht seo d'fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh folaíonn sí, maidir le cumhachta, tagairt do na cumhachta sin d'fheidhmiú.
(3) I gcás inarb iomchuí é, folaíonn tagairt san Acht seo do shárú forála tagairt do dhiúltú nó mainneachtain déanamh do réir na forála sin.
(4) Déanfar tagairt san Acht seo don Phríomh-Bhreitheamh, i gcás an fheidhm áirithe a bheith arna tarmligean faoi alt 6 den Acht seo chun breithimh den Chúirt Uachtarach nó den Ard-Chúirt, d'fhorléiriú mar thagairt don bhreitheamh sin.
Comhlíonadh feidhmeanna an Chumainn.
4.—Is í an Chomhairle a chomhlíonfas na feidhmeanna a dílsítear sa Chumann leis an Acht seo nó faoin Acht seo.
Rialacháin i gcoitinne.
5.—(1) Féadfaidh an Cumann-rialacháin a dhéanamh maidir le haon ní nó rud dá dtagartar san Acht seo mar ní nó rud atá forordaithe nó le forordú nó is ábhar do rialacháin.
(2) Féadfaidh an Cumann rialacháin a dhéanamh chun forála an Achta seo a chur i ngníomh.
(3) Leagfaidh an Cumann gach rialachán a déanfar faoin Acht seo faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta.
Tarmligean ag an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh.
6.—(1) Féadfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh aon cheann dá fheidhmeanna faoin Acht seo a tharmligean chun aon bhreithimh den Chúirt Uachtarach nó den Ard-Chúirt.
(2) Féadfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh aon tarmligean a bheas déanta aige faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo a chúlghairm.
Athghairm.
7.—(1) Déantar leis seo na hachtacháin a luaitear sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo d'athghairm a mhéid a sonraítear sa tríú colún den Sceideal sin.
(2) Déanfar tagairt i ndoiciméad d'Acht nó do pháirt d'Acht a hathghairmtear leis an Acht seo d'fhorléiriú mar thagairt don Acht seo nó don pháirt chomhréire den Acht seo, agus measfar gur cuid den chlár, den rolla nó den liosta comhréire faoin Acht seo clár, rolla nó liosta faoi Acht a hathghairmtear leis an Acht seo.
(3) Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní san Acht seo difir d'fheidhm ghinearálta an Achta Léiriúcháin, 1937 (Uimh. 38 de 1937), maidir le héifeacht athghairme.
CUID II.
Cláraitheoir na nAturnaethe agus Rolla na nAturnaethe.
Cláraitheoir na n-aturnaethe.
8.—(1) Beidh cláraitheoir aturnaethe ann (dá ngairmtear an cláraitheoir san Acht seo).
(2) Ceapfaidh an Cumann rúnaí an Chumainn nó duine oiriúnach éigin eile ina chláraitheoir.
(3) Ceapfar an cláraitheoir ar pé téarmaí agus coinníollacha, agus le pé sochar oifige (más ann) a bheas iníoctha as cistí an Chumainn, a chinnfeas an Cumann.
(4) Féadfaidh an Cumann an cláraitheoir a chur as oifig.
(5) Féadfaidh an Cumann ionadaí a cheapadh chun gníomhú mar chláraitheoir go ceann tréimhse, agus comhlíonfaidh an t-ionadaí feidhmeanna an chláraitheora i gcaitheamh na tréimhse sin.
Rolla na n-aturnaethe.
9.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an cláraitheoir liosta in ord aibítre d'aturnaethe (dá ngairmtear an rolla san Acht seo).
(2) Coimeádfaidh an cláraitheoir an rolla ar fáil lena iniúchadh in aisce ag an bpobal le linn uaireanna oifige.
Glacadh agus rollú.
10.—(1) Féadfaidh duine a chomhlíonfas na cinn sin a bhaineas leis de cheanglais Choda IV den Acht seo a iarraidh ar an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh é a ghlacadh mar aturnae.
(2) Ar iarratas do réir fo-ailt (1) den alt seo d'fháil dó, glacfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh an t-iarratasóir mar aturnae, le hionstraim i scríbhinn, mura suítear chun a shástachta cúis lena mhalairt a dhéanamh.
(3) Féadfaidh duine a glacfar mar aturnae a iarraidh ar an gcláraitheoir a ainm a thaifeadadh ar an rolla agus déanfaidh an cláraitheoir, ar ionstraim a ghlactha a thabhairt ar aird, ainm an duine sin a thaifeadadh ar an rolla.
Tórainn leis an tréimhse le haghaidh iarratas áirithe chun ainmneacha a scrios den rolla.
11.—(1) Ní féadfar ainm aturnae a scrios den rolla toisc éalaing a bheith ina dhintiúirí príntíseachta, nó i gclárú na ndintúirí sin nó ina sheirbhís fúthu, nó ina ghlacadh agus a rollú, mura ndéantar an t-iarratas chun a ainm a scrios den rolla laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag tar éis dáta a rolluithe.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) den alt seo má cruthaítear go ndearnadh calaois i ndáil leis na dintiúirí, leis an gclárú, leis an tseirbhís, leis an nglacadh nó leis an rollú.
Bás a chur in iúl.
12.—Déanfaidh cláraitheoir bás, nuair a taifeadfar i gclár na mbás bás duine a bhfuil a ainm ar an rolla, cóip dheimhnithe den taifead a chur láithreach leis an bpost chun an chláraitheora, agus féadfaidh sé costas an deimhnithe agus a churtha chun an chláraitheora d'éileamh mar chaiteachas a ghabhas lena oifig mar chláraitheoir bás.
CUID III.
An Coiste Araíonachta.
An Coiste Araíonachta.
13.—(1) Ceapfaidh an Cumann gach bliain, as comhaltaí na Comhairle agus na hiar-chomhaltaí sin den Chomhairle atá ag cleachtadh mar aturnaethe, coiste araíonachta (dá ngairmtear an Coiste Araíonachta san Acht seo) ar a mbeidh líon nach lú ná seachtar agus nach mó ná deichniúr.
(2) Féadfaidh an Cumann comhalta den Choiste Araíonachta a chur as oifig, folúntas sa Choiste Araíonachta a líonadh agus, faoi réir na dtórann a luaitear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo, an líon daoine air a mhéadú nó a laghdú.
(3) Raghaidh comhaltaí an Choiste Araíonachta as oifig nuair a ceapfar a gcomharbaí faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, ach beidh aon chomhalta den tsórt sin inathcheaptha.
(4) Féadfaidh an Coiste Araíonachta gníomhú d'ainneoin folúntas nó folúntais a bheith ina gcomhaltas.
(5) Cúigear is córam don Choiste Araíonachta.
(6) Ní ceapfar comhalta ná ní cuirfear as oifig é faoi fho-alt (1) ná (2) den alt seo ach le haontú an Phríomh-Bhreithimh.
Iarratais chun an Choiste Araíonachta.
14.—(1) Is chun an Choiste Araíonachta a déanfar na hiarratais seo a leanas:
(a) iarratas ó aturnae á iarraidh a ainm a bhaint den rolla,
(b) iarratas ó dhuine eile nó ón gCumann á iarraidh ainm aturnae a scrios den rolla ar aon fhoras acu seo a leanas:
(i) an t-aturnae a bheith ciontach i mí-iompar, lena n-áirítear iompar a tharraingeodh táirmheas ar ghairm na n-aturnaethe,
(ii) sárú a bheith déanta ag an aturnae ar fhoráil den Acht seo nó d'ordú nó de rialachán a rinneadh faoin Acht seo,
(iii) an t-aturnae a bheith ciontaithe i dtréas nó i bhfeileontacht nó in oilghníomh nó é a bheith ciontaithe lasmuigh den Stát i gcoir nó i gcion ba feileontacht nó oilghníomh dá mba sa Stát a déanfaí é,
(c) iarratas chun a cheangal ar aturnae freagra a thabhairt ar líomhna a rinneadh i mionnscríbhinn,
(d) iarratas á iarraidh ainm a baineadh nó a scriosadh den rolla a chur ar ais ar an rolla.
(2) Ní foláir iarratas faoin alt seo a bheith i scríbhinn, a bheith sínithe ag an iarratasóir agus na nithe seo a leanas a chur ina theannta chun an Choiste Araíonachta—
(a) mionnscríbhinn ón iarratasóir ina sonrófar na hábhair a bheas mar thaca leis an iarratas, agus
(b) na doiciméid a bheas mar thaca leis an iarratas nó cóipeanna de na doiciméid sin.
(3) Féadfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh nó aon bhreitheamh den Ard-Chúirt, d'ainneoin aon ní san Acht seo, aon dlínse d'fheidhmiú ar aturnaethe d'fhéadfadh sé d'fheidhmiú dá mba nach rithfí an tAcht seo.
An nós imeachta i gcás ina n-iarrfaidh aturnae a ainm a bhaint den rolla.
15.—I gcás ina ndéanfar iarratas go cuí faoi mhír (a) d'fho-alt (1) d'alt 14 den Acht seo, breithneoidh an Coiste Araíonachta an t-iarratas agus an mhionnscríbhinn agus na doiciméid tacaíochta agus—
(a) má chinnid go bhfuil an t-iarratasóir i dteideal a ainm a bhaint den rolla gan tuilleadh fiosruithe, ordóid dá réir sin,
(b) má chinnid go bhfuil cúis le fiosrú, déanfaid fiosrú.
An nós imeachta i gcás ina ndéanfar cúiseamh i gcoinne aturnae.
16.—(1) I gcás ina ndéanfar iarratas go cuí faoi mhír (b) nó (c) d'fho-alt (1) d'alt 14 den Acht seo, breithneoidh an Coiste Araíonachta an t-iarratas agus an mhionnscríbhinn agus na doiciméid tacaíochta agus—
(a) má chinnid nár suíodh cás prima facie, cuirfid sin in iúl don iarratasóir agus don aturnae agus ní dhéanfaid aon bheart eile,
(b) má chinnid gur suíodh cás prima facie, seirbheálfaid ar an aturnae—
(i) cóip den iarratas,
(ii) cóip den mhionnscríbhinn,
(iii) cóipeanna de na doiciméid nó, de rogha an chláraitheora, liosta de na doiciméid, agus
(iv) fógra á cheangal ar an aturnae mionnscríbhinn uaidh mar fhreagra ar an iarratas a chur chun an Choiste Araíonachta laistigh de thréimhse shonraithe maraon le haon doiciméid, nó cóipeanna díobh, a bheas mar thaca aige lena fhreagra.
(2) I gcás ina seirbheálfar fógra faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh ceachtar páirtí na doiciméid a thug an páirtí eile d'iniúchadh.
(3) I ndeireadh na tréimhse a sonrófar i bhfógra faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, breithneoidh an Coiste Araíonachta an t-iarratas agus an mhionnscríbhinn agus na doiciméid tacaíochta agus pé mionnscríbhinn agus doiciméid (más ann) a thug an t-aturnae agus—
(a) má chinnid nach bhfuil aon chúis le tuilleadh fiosruithe, cuirfid sin in iúl don iarratasóir agus don aturnae agus ní dhéanfaid aon bheart eile,
(b) má chinnid go bhfuil cúis le fiosrú, déanfaid fiosrú.
(4) I gcás ina gcuirfear cinneadh in iúl d'iarratasóir faoi mhír (a) d'fho-alt (1) nó faoi mhír (a) d'fho-alt (3) den alt seo, déanfaidh an Coiste Araíonachta, má iarrann an t-iarratasóir é, ordú foirmiúil den chinneadh.
An nós imeachta i gcás ina n-iarrfar ainm a chur ar ais ar an rolla.
17.—I gcás ina ndéanfar iarratas go cuí faoi mhír (d) d'fho-alt (1) d'alt 14 den Acht seo, breithneoidh an Coiste Araíonachta an t-iarratas agus an mhionnscríbhinn agus na doiciméid tacaíochta agus déanfaid ordú ag diúltú don iarratas nó á ordú an ainm a bheas i gceist a chur ar ais ar an rolla.
Orduithe ón gCoiste Araíonachta tar éis fiosrúcháin.
18.—(1) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an Coiste Araíonachta fiosrú, féadfaid ordú a dhéanamh ag ordú ní nó nithe acu seo a leanas:
(a) an t-iarratas a dhíbhe,
(b) an t-aturnae d'iomardú,
(c) an t-aturnae d'fhionraí ó chleachtach.
(d) ainm an aturnae a bhaint nó a scrios den rolla,
(e) aon pháirtí sa bhfiosrú d'íoc costas nó d'íoc suime áirithe i leith costas,
(f) an t-aturnae do thabhairt pé aisig nó sásaimh is oiriúnach leis an gCoiste Araíonachta d'aon pháirtí éagóraithe.
(2) Féadfaidh an Coiste Araíonachta déanamh orduithe faoin alt seo a chur siar.
(3) I gcás ina gcuirfear siar déanamh orduithe faoin alt seo, féadfaidh an Coiste Araíonachta, má hiarrtar sin orthu nuair a bheas breithniú á dhéanamh acu tar éis a churtha siar, a cheadú an t-iarratas a tharraing siar, gan aon ordú a dhéanamh faoin alt seo.
(4) Féadfaidh an Coiste Araíonachta, ar iarratas ón aturnae lena mbaineann ordú faoin alt seo, oibriú an orduithe d'fhionraí ag feitheamh ar achomharc faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 23 den Acht seo.
(5) An fhad a bheas ordú faoin alt seo ar fionraí, ní comhadófar é ná ní bheidh sé inchurtha i bhfeidhm faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 21 den Acht seo.
Cumhachta an Choiste Araíonachta maidir le fianaise a thógaint, etc.
19.—(1) Beidh ag an gCoiste Araíonachta, le linn fiosrú a bheith á dhéanamh acu, na cumhachta, na cearta agus na pribhléidí atá dílsithe san Ard-Chúirt nó i mbreitheamh den Ard-Chúirt le linn caingin—
(a) maidir le iallach a chur ar fhinnéithe freastal a dhéanamh agus lena gceistiú faoi mhionn nó ar shlí eile, agus
(b) maidir le doiciméid a chur á dtabhairt ar aird,
agus féadfar toghairm faoi shíniú comhalta den Choiste Araíonachta a chur in ionad, agus is ionann a feidhm agus feidhm, aon phróise foirmiúla is ineisithe i gcaingean chun iallach a chur ar fhinnéithe freastal a dhéanamh agus chun doiciméid a chur á dtabhairt ar aird.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an Coiste Araíonachta fiosrú agus ina dtarlóidh—
(a) go mainneoidh duine ar bith freastal a dhéanamh tar éis é a thoghairm go cuí mar fhinné ag an bhfiorsú,
(b) go ndiúltóidh duine ar bith ar bheith i láthair dó mar fhinné ag an bhfiosrú mionn a thabhairt a cheanglós an Coiste Araíonachta air go dlíthiúil a thabhairt nó aon doiciméad faoina chumhacht nó faoina urláimh a thabhairt ar aird a cheanglós an Coiste Araíonachta air go dlíthiúil a thabhairt ar aird nó aon cheist d'fhreagairt a cheanglós an Coiste Araíonachta air go dlíthiúil d'fhreagairt, nó
(c) go ndéanfaidh duine ar bith aon ní eile ba dhísbeagadh cúirte dá mba chúirt dlí an Coiste Araíonachta agus cumhacht chimithe aici i gcás dísbeagtha,
féadfar, le deimhniú faoi shíniú beirte de chomhaltaí an Choiste Araíonachta, cion an duine sin a dheimhniú don Ard-Chúirt, agus air sin féadfaidh an Ard-Chúirt fi s ú a dhéanamh i dtaobh an chiona líomhnaithe agus, tar éis aon fhinnéithe a bhéarfar ar aird i gcoinne nó ar son an duine a bheas cúisithe sa chion agus aon ráiteas a tairgfear mar chosaint d'éisteacht, an duine sin a phionósú nó bearta a dhéanamh chun an duine sin a phionósú amhail is dá mba i ndísbeagadh na hArd-Chúirte a bhí sé ciontach.
(3) Beidh teideal ag finné ag fiosrú a dhéanfas an Coiste Araíonachta chun na ndíolúintí agus na bpribhléidí céanna chun a mbeadh teideal aige dá mb'fhinné os comhair na hArd-Chúirte é.
Rialacha i dtaobh iarratas chun an Choiste Araíonachta agus i dtaobh fiosrúchán.
20.—(1) Féadfaidh an Coiste Araíonachta, le comhthoiliú an Phríomh-Bhreithimh, rialacha a dhéanamh a rialós iarratais chun an Choiste Araíonachta agus éisteacht, stiúradh agus cinneadh na n-iarratas sin agus fiosrúcháin a dhéanfas an Coiste Araíonachta.
(2) Féadfaidh rialacha faoin alt seo foráil a dhéanamh go sonrach maidir le faidiú na tréimhse chun aon mhionnscríbhinn nó doiciméad a thabhairt nó maidir le hiarratas nó mionnscríbhinn a ghlacadh d'ainneoin aon neamhrialtachta ina fhoirm, i gcás inar dóigh leis an gCoiste Araíonachta gur ceart sin a dhéanamh.
(3) Féadfaidh rialacha faoin alt seo foráil a dhéanamh maidir le costais a dhámhachtain agus maidir lena bhfómhas ag Máistir Fómhais don Ard-Chúirt (faoi réir achomhairc chun na hArd-Chúirte) faoin scála costas a bhaineas le himeachta san Ard-Chúirt, agus féadfar aon chostais a fómhasfar amhlaidh a ghnóthú amhail is dá mba faoi ordú ón Ard-Chúirt a fómhasadh iad.
Comhadú agus éifeacht orduithe a dhéanfas an Coiste Araíonachta agus fógra ina thaobh,
21.—(1) In aon ordú a dhéanfas an Coiste Araíonachta beidh ráiteas i dtaobh a mbeidh cinnte acu agus síneoidh beirt dá gcomhaltaí é agus comhadófar leis an gcláraitheoir é, agus a luaithe a comhadófar amhlaidh é déanfaidh an cláraitheoir dá réir, agus beidh sé inchurtha i bhfeidhm amhail is dá mba bhreithiúnas nó ordú ón Ard-Chúirt é.
(2) I gcás ina n-ordófar, le hordú a dhéanfas an Coiste Araíonachta, ainm aturnae a bhaint nó a scrios den rolla nó aturnae d'fhionraí ó chleachtadh, cuirfidh an cláraitheoir faoi deara láithreach, mura n-ordóidh an Coiste Araíonachta a mhalairt, fógra ina luafar an éifeacht atá ag an gcuid oibritheach den ordú d'fhoilsiú san Iris Oifigiúil agus cuirfidh faoi deara freisin an fógra d'fhoilsiú i pé slí eile a ordós an Coiste Araíonachta.
(3) Coimeádfaidh an cláraitheoir comhaid ar leithligh ina dtaifeadfar mar leanas orduithe uile an Choiste Araíonachta:
(a) ar chomhad ar a dtabharfar Comhad A taifeadfar, in ord aibítre ainmneacha na n-aturnaethe iomchuí, gach ordú chun ainm aturnae a bhaint nó a scrios den rolla nó chun aturnae d'fhionraí ó chleachtadh,
(b) ar chomhad ar a dtabharfar Comhad B taifeadfar, in ord a ndáta, na horduithe eile go léir.
(4) Ar chóip d'ordú a rinneadh de thoradh achomhairc faoi alt 23 den Acht seo d'fháil dó, taifeadfaidh an cláraitheoir an t-ordú ar Chomhad A nó ar Chomhad B (do réir mar is iomchuí).
(5) Bhéarfaidh an Cláraitheoir cóip de thaifead ar Chomhad A nó ar Chomhad B do dhuine a iarrfas i scríbhinn cóip den tsórt sin.
(6) D'ainneoin fo-ailt (5) den alt seo—
(a) i gcás ina n-iarrfar cóip de thaifead ar Chomhad B agus gur taifead faoi dháta is luaithe ná dhá bhliain roimh dháta an iarratais é, nó
(b) i gcás ina n-iarrfar cóip de thaifead ar Chomhad A nó ar Chomhad B agus gur taifead é ar ordaigh an Coiste Araíonachta nóta a chur isteach ina leith go mb'fhéidir éagóir a theacht as cóip de a thabhairt,
ní tabharfar cóip den taifead (ach amháin i gcás an chóip a thabhairt faoi ordú cúirte) gan cead i scríbhinn ón gCumann.
Feidhm an Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879.
22.—Is imeacht dlí do réir bhrí na habairte “legal proceeding” mar húsáidtear í san Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879, iarratas chun an Choiste Araíonachta nó fiosrú nó imeacht eile os a gcomhair.
Achomharc i gcoinne orduithe ón gCoiste Araíonachta.
23.—(1) Féadfar achomharc i gcoinne orduithe ón gCoiste Araíonachta a dhéanamh chun an Phríomh-Bhreithimh ar thionscnamh an duine a rinne an t-iarratas chun an Choiste Araíonachta nó ar thionscnamh an aturnae lena mbaineann an t-ordú.
(2) Féadfar achomharc a dhéanamh freisin chun an Phríomh-Bhreithimh i gcoinne an Coiste Araíonachta do dhiúltú oibriú orduithe d'fhionraí faoi alt 18.
(3) Beidh an Cumann i dteideal láithriú agus éisteacht d'fháil le linn achomharc faoin alt seo d'éisteacht.
(4) Cuirfear chun an chláraitheora cóip d'ordú a déanfar de thoradh achomhairc faoin alt seo.
CUID IV.
Daoine a Ghlacadh mar Aturnaethe.
Coinníollacha chun duine a ghlacadh mar aturnae.
24.—Faoi réir na Coda seo den Acht seo, ní glacfar duine mar aturnae mura rud é—
(a) go bhfuil 21 bliain d'aois slán aige,
(b) go ndeachaigh sé faoi cheangal dintiúirí príntíseachta chun seirbhís a thabhairt mar phríntíseach ag aturnae cleachtach ar feadh an téarma iomchuí agus gur chruthaigh sé don Chumann go bhfuil sé tar éis seirbhís a thabhairt go cuí faoi na dintiúirí sin,
(c) go bhfuair sé deimhniú nó deimhnithe ón gCumann á dheimhniú gur ghnóthaigh sé na scrúduithe forordaithe iomchuí, agus
(d) gur chomhlíon sé aon choinníollacha forordaithe maidir le seirbhís faoi dhintiúirí príntíseachta agus maidir le daoine a ghlacadh mar aturnaethe nó go ndearna an Cumann tarscaoileadh ar na coinníollacha sin.
Coinníollacha chun duine a ghlacadh mar phríntíseach.
25.—Faoi réir na Coda seo den Acht seo, ní fhéadfaidh duine dul faoi cheangal dintiúirí príntíseachta chun seirbhís a thabhairt mar phríntíseach ag aturnae mura rud é—
(a) go bhfuil 17 mbliana d'aois slán aige,
(b) go bhfuair sé deimhniú nó deimhnithe ón gCumann á dheimhniú gur ghnóthaigh sé na scrúdaithe forordaithe iomchuí,
(c) go bhfuair sé ón gCumann an toiliú dá bhforáltar le halt 27 den Acht seo, agus
(d) gur chomhlíon sé aon choinníollachaforordaithe maidir le daoine a ghlacadh mar phríntísigh nó go ndearna an Cumann tarscaoileadh ar na coinníollacha sin.
Téarma dintiúirí.
26.—Is do réir forál an Dara Sceidil a ghabhas leis an Acht seo a cinnfear téarma na ndintiúirí príntíseachta faoi aturnae cleachtach.
Fianaise ar dheacharachtar.
27.—(1) Sé seachtaine ar a laghad sara raghaidh duine faoi cheangal dintiúirí príntíseachta, bhéarfaidh sé fógra don Chumann go bhfuil ar intinn aige sin a dhéanamh agus bhéarfaidh don Chumann an fhianaise fhororduithe ar a charachtar.
(2) Má bhíonn an Cumann sásta leis an bhfianaise a bhéarfas duine de bhun an ailt seo agus leis an eolas a gheobhaid de thoradh aon fhiosruithe is cuí leo a dhéanamh, bhéarfaidh siad a dtoiliú scríofa leis an duine sin do dhul faoi dhintiúirí príntíseachta.
(3) Diúltóidh an cláraitheoir dintiúirí príntíseachta a chlárú a bhéarfar ar aird dó faoi alt 28 den Acht seo mura mbeidh i dteannta na ndintiúirí toiliú a tugadh faoin alt seo agus a bheas faoi dháta nach luaithe ná sé mhí roimh dháta na ndintiúirí.
(4) Ní measfar seirbhís phríntísigh faoi dhintiúirí príntíseachta ar diúltaíodh faoin alt seo iad a chlárú a bheith ina dea-sheirbhís ag an bpríntíseach sin faoina dhintiúirí.
Dintiúirí a chlárú.
28.—(1) Bhéarfar dintiúirí príntíseacha ar aird don chláraitheoir lena gclárú agus, ar bheith deimhin don chláraitheoir ó dhearbhú reachtúil nó ó pé fianaise eile is leor leis gur forghníomhaíodh na dintiúirí go cuí, taifeadfaidh sé i gclár ainmneacha agus seolta na bpáirtithe sna dintiúirí, dáta na ndintiúirí agus dáta an taifid a dhéanamh.
(2) Coimeádfar an clár faoin alt seo ar fáil lena iniúchadh in aisce ag an bpobal le linn uaireanna oifige.
(3) Mura dtugtar dintiúirí príntíseachta príntísigh ar aird don chláraitheoir lena gclárú laistigh de sé mhí óna ndáta, measfar, mura n-ordóidh an Cumann a mhalairt, nár thosnaigh seirbhís an phríntísigh go dtí dáta na ndintiúirí a thabhairt ar aird.
(4) Beidh feidhm ag na forála den alt seo a bhaineas le dintiúirí a thabhairt ar aird agus a thaifeadadh i gcás dintiúirí nua, agus i gcás dintiúirí a shannadh nó d'aistriú faoi alt 32 nó faoi ordú faoi alt 34 nó 35 den Acht seo, amhail mar atá feidhm acu i gcás dintiúirí bunaidh.
Srian le haturnae do ghlacadh nó do choimeád príntísigh.
29.—(1) Ní ghlacfaidh aturnae aon phríntíseach tar éis an t-aturnae sin do scor de bheith ag cleachtadh nó de bheith ina aturnae atá cáilithe chun cleachtadh, ná an fhad a bheas an t-aturnae sin ar fostú mar chúntóir nó mar chléireach ag aturnae eile.
(2) Mura raibh aturnae ag cleachtadh go leanúnach tráth éigin mar aturnae ar feadh tréimhse seacht mblian ní ghlacfaidh sé aon phríntíseach gan cead speisialta ón gCumann.
(3) Féadfar, le rialacháin, srian a chur le glacadh príntíseach ag aturnaethe atá ar fostú go lánaimsireach ag comhluchta corpraithe.
(4) I gcás aturnae a bhfuil príntíseach aige do scor de bheith ag cleachtadh nó de bheith ina aturnae atá cáilithe chun cleachtadh nó a dhul ar fostú mar chúntóir nó mar chléireach ag aturnae eile, ní choimeádfaidh sé an príntíseach níos sia ná sé mhí dá éis sin.
(5) Ní measfar, mura n-ordóidh an Cumann a mhalairt, seirbhís phríntísigh ag aturnae a ghlac é contrártha d'fho-alt (1) nó d'fho-alt (2) nó do rialacháin a rinneadh chun críocha fo-ailt (3) den alt seo, ná seirbhís phríntísigh ag aturnae i rith aon tréimhse a choimeád an t-aturnae sin é contrártha d'fho-alt (4) den alt seo, a bheith ina dea-sheirbhís ag an bpríntíseach sin faoina dhintiúirí príntíseachta.
Cosaint do sheirbhís phríntísigh i gcás an t-aturnae a dhícháiliú.
30.—Ní bheidh duine dícháilithe chun a ghlactha mar aturnae ná ní bheidh a ainm le scrios den rolla—
(a) toisc aturnae, ag a raibh sé ar seirbhís faoi dhintiúirí príntíseachta ar feadh iomláin an téarma nó coda den téarma is gá do réir an Achta seo, d'fhaillí nó do mhainniú deimhniú cleachta a thógaint amach, ná
(b) toisc aturnae a raibh sé faoi cheangal dintiúirí príntíseachta aige do scor, tar éis deireadh na tréimhse a raibh sé faoi cheangal ina leith, de bheith ina aturnae atá cáilithe chun cleachtadh.
Toirmeasc le príntíseach a ghlacadh.
31.—(1) Má ordaíonn an Cumann, nó má bhíonn cumhacht acu a ordú, don chláraitheoir diúltú d'iarratas aturnae ar dheimhniú cleachta, féadfaid, trí fhógra i scríbhinn a seirbheálfar ar an aturnae, a thoirmeasc air aon phríntíseach a ghlacadh, agus air sin ní ghlacfaidh an t-aturnae aon phríntíseach mura ndéanfaidh ná go dtí go ndéanfaidh an Cumann an toirmeasc a tharraingt siar.
(2) Ní measfar, mura n-ordóidh an Cumann a mhalairt, seirbhís phríntísigh ag aturnae a ghlac é contrártha do thoirmeasc a bhí i bhfeidhm faoin alt seo a bheith ina dea-sheirbhís ag an bpríntíseach faoina dhintiúirí.
(3) Má thoirmisceann an Cumann faoin alt seo ar aturnae aon phríntíseach a ghlacadh, féadfaid dá dtreoir féin, le hordú, dintiúirí aon phríntísigh a bheas an uair sin ina phríntíseach ag an aturnae sin d'urscaoileadh ar pé téarmaí, lena n-áirítear téarmaí maidir leis an bpréimh a thabhairt ar ais, is oiriúnach leo, agus a chinneadh cad é an tréimhse sheirbhíse (más aon tréimhse é) ag an bpríntíseach faoi na dintiúirí a measfar a bheith ina dea-sheirbhís.
Dintiúirí a shannadh nó dintiúirí nua ar aturnae d'fháil bháis, etc.
32.—Má tharlann, roimh dheireadh an téarma a mbeidh printíseach faoi cheangal ina leith—
(a) go bhfaighidh an t-aturnae bás nó go scoirfidh sé de bheith ag cleachtadh mar aturnae,
(b) go gcealófar na dintiúirí príntíseachta de chomhthoil, nó
(c) go n-urscaoilfear na dintiúirí príntíseachta de bhuaidh orduithe ón gCumann nó ó aon chúirt nó ar shlí eile,
féadfar, trí na dintiúirí a shannadh, nó le dintiúirí nua, an príntíseach a chur faoi cheangal mar phríntíseach ag aturnae eile go ceann iarmhair an téarma sin.
Cumhacht ghinearálta chun dintiúirí d'urscaoileadh.
33.—Más deimhin leis an gCumann, ar iarratas d'fháil ón aturnae nó ón bpríntíseach, gur ceart dintiúirí príntíseachta d'urscaoileadh, féadfaid, le hordú, na dintiúirí d'urscaoileadh ar pé téarmaí, lena n-áirítear téarmaí maidir leis an bpréimh a thabhairt ar ais, is oiriúnach leo, agus a chinneadh cad é an tréimhse sheirbhíse (más aon tréimhse é) ag an bpríntíseach faoi na dintiúirí a measfar a bheith ina dea-sheirbhís.
Dintiúirí d'urscaoileadh nó a shannadh ar aturnae a bhaint den rolla, etc.
34.—(1) Má tharlann, roimh dheireadh an téarma a mbeidh printíseach faoi cheangal ina leith—
(a) go mbainfear nó go scriosfar an t-aturnae den rolla,
(b) go mbeidh an t-aturnae ina fhéimheach,
(c) go gcuirfear an t-aturnae i bpríosún agus go bhfanfaidh sé ann ar feadh lá agus fiche nó tréimhse is sia ná sin,
(d) go n-éireoidh an t-aturnae mí-mheabhrach, nó
(e) go raibh an t-aturnae amuigh as an Stát ar feadh tréimhse is sia ná sé mhí nó ar feadh dhá thréimhse nó níos mó taobh istigh de dhá mhí dhéag as a chéile ba shia san iomlán ná sé mhí, gan toiliú an Chumainn nó gan pé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chomhlíonadh a bheas socair ag an gCumann maidir lena bheith amuigh as an Stát amhlaidh,
féadfaidh an Cumann, ar iarratas an phríntísigh, na dintiúirí príntíseachta d'urscaoileadh le hordú nó, le toiliú aturnae eile, a ordú, le hordú, go sannfar iad don aturnae sin ar pé téarmaí agus i pé slí is oiriúnach leis an gCumann.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní san alt seo difir do chumhacht aon chúirte maidir le dintiúirí príntíseachta.
Ordú ag aistriú dintiúirí.
35.—I gcás—
(a) ina dteastóidh ó phríntíseach aturnae go sannfaí a dhintiúirí príntíseachta faoi alt 32 nó faoi ordú faoi alt 34 den Acht seo, agus
(b) inar deimhin leis an gCumann, ar iarratas d'fháil ón bpríntíseach, go ngabhann deacracht le forghníomhú an tsannta,
féadfaidh an Cumann, le toiliú aturnae eile, na dintiúirí príntíseachta d'aistriú chun an aturnae sin le hordú.
An líon príntíseach.
36.—(1) Ní bheidh níos mó ná príntíseach amháin san am amháin ag aturnae.
(2) D'ainneoin fo-ailt (1) den alt seo, is cead, le toiliú scríofa an Chumainn, beirt phríntíseach a bheith ag aturnae san am amháin, ach ní thabharfaidh an Cumann aon toiliú den tsórt sin ach amháin in imthosca speisialta. Ní diúltófar an toiliú sin d'aturnae más leanaí leis an aturnae an bheirt phríntíseach nó más leanbh leis an aturnae an dara príntíseach agus má tá an chéad phríntíseach ina phríntíseach ag an aturnae le dhá bhliain ar a laghad.
Oblagáid an phríntíseacht a dhéanamh bona fide.
37.—I gcaitheamh téarma iomláin a dhintiúirí déanfaidh príntíseach príntíseacht bona fide ag an aturnae a mbeidh sé faoi cheangal mar phríntíseach aige.
Oifig a shealbhú nó gabháil le fostaíocht le linn príntíseachta.
38.—(1) Ní shealbhóidh príntíseach aon oifig ná ní ghabhfaidh sé le haon fhostaíocht seachas fostaíocht faoina phríntíseacht mura bhfaighidh sé, sara ndéana sé sin, toiliú scríofa an aturnae a bhfuil sé faoi cheangal mar phríntíseach aige agus toiliú an Chumainn.
(2) Beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas maidir le toiliú an Chumainn chun críocha an ailt seo:
(a) is le hordú ón gCumann a bhéarfar an toiliú,
(b) sara ndéanfaidh an Cumann an t-ordú, ní mór iad a bheith deimhin de nach ndéanfaidh sealbhú na hoifige, nó an ghabháil leis an bhfostaíocht, dochar do shaothar an iarratasóra mar phríntíseach,
(c) féadfar leis an ordú pé téarmaí agus coinníollacha is oiriúnach leis an gCumann a chur ar an iarratasóir maidir leis an oifig nó leis an bhfostaíocht agus le seirbhís an iarratasóra mar phríntíseach,
(d) má cuirtear téarmaí nó coinníollacha air amhlaidh, ní foláir don iarratasóir a chruthú don Chumann, sara nglacfar mar aturnae é, gur chomhlíon sé na téarmaí nó na coinníollacha sin.
Faoiseamh i gcás neamhrialtachta maidir le seirbhís phríntísigh.
39.—(1) Féadfaidh an Cumann faoiseamh a thabhairt do phríntíseach i gcás aon neamhrialtachta maidir lena sheirbhís faoi dhintiúirí príntíseachta, a mhéid is oiriúnach, agus ar pé téarmaí is oiriúnach, leis an gCumann.
(2) San alt seo, folaíonn an focal “neamhrialtacht” sárú ar fhoráil arna déanamh leis an Acht seo nó faoi nó le haon Acht eile nó faoi.
Oideachas agus scrúduithe.
40.—(1) Féadfaidh an Cumann—
(a) saoráidí oideachais a sholáthar, lena n-áirítear léachtaí, ranganna agus múinteoireacht eile,
(b) scrúduithe a chur ar siúl,
(c) ollúna, léachtóirí agus scrúdaitheoirí a cheapadh,
(2) Féadfar socrú a dhéanamh le rialacháin—
(a) chun a fháil amach an bhfuil aturnaethe a bheartós príntísigh a ghlacadh oiriúnach agus inniúil chun na príntísigh sin a mhúineadh,
(b) chun dul chun cinn príntíseach ag cur eolais ar theoiric agus ar chleachtadh an dlí d'fháil amach.
(3) Forálfaidh rialacháin chun críocha an ailt seo —
(a) go gcuirfidh an Cumann ar siúl uair amháin ar a laghad gach bliain—
(i) an chéad scrúdú sa Ghaeilge, is é sin le rá, scrúdú sa teanga sin ar dhaoine a bheas ag iarraidh dul faoi cheangal dintiúirí príntíseachta, agus
(ii) an dara scrúdú sa Ghaeilge, is é sin le rá, scrúdú sa teanga sin ar dhaoine a bheas ag iarraidh a nglactha mar aturnaethe,
(b) go mbeidh an dá scrúdú sin éigeantach ach amháin i gcás daoine a bhí os cionn cúig bliana déag d'aois an 1ú lá de Dheireadh Fómhair, 1929,
(c) go ndéanfar an dara scrúdú sin ar shlí, agus go mbeidh sé de shaghas, a chinnteos go bhfuil eolas inniúil ar an nGaeilge ag daoine a ghnóthós é, is é sin le rá, an inniúlacht sin ar labhairt agus ar scríobh na teangan is leor chun a chur ar chumas aturnae, le héifeacht, teagasc a ghlacadh, cliaint a chomhairliú, finnéithe a cheistiú agus imeachta a thuiscint i nGaeilge,
(d) nach foláir an dara scrúdú sin a ghnóthú laistigh de dhá bhliain roimh dheireadh an téarma phríntíseachta nó laistigh de dhá bhliain roimh dhuine a ghlacadh mar aturnae.
(4) Forálfaidh rialacháin chun críocha an ailt seo go gcuirfidh an Cumann ar siúl uair amháin ar a laghad gach bliain—
(a) réamhscrúdú, is é sin le rá, scrúdú ar dhaoine a bheas ag iarraidh dul faoi cheangal dintiúirí príntíseachta, agus
(b) scrúdú deiridh, is é sin le rá, scrúdú ar dhaoine a bheas ag iarraidh a nglactha mar aturnaethe, agus féadfar, más oiriúnach leis an gCumann, an scrúdú sin a roinnt ina dhá chuid nó níos mó.
(5) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht na bhfo-alt sin roimhe seo, féadfar, le rialacháin chun críocha an ailt seo, foráil a dhéanamh ina dtaobh seo a leanas—
(a) an Cumann do chur tuilleadh scrúduithe ar siúl i dteannta na scrúduithe a luaitear sna fo-ailt sin roimhe seo chun dul chun cinn príntíseach agus daoine a bheas ag iarraidh a nglactha mar aturnaethe d'fháil amach,
(b) gan príntísigh a bheith inghlactha ach ag aturnaethe a mbeifear sásta iad a bheith oiriúnach agus inniúil chun príntísigh a mhúineadh,
(c) freastal príntíseach nó ábhar príntíseach ar léachtaí, ranganna agus díospóireachtaí agus le linn múinteoireachta nó tréineála eile, pé acu an Cumann a sholáthrós sin nó nach ea, agus an cúrsa staidéir agus tréineála a bheas le déanamh ag na daoine sin,
(d) na trátha a bheas iarrthóirí cáilithe chun dul faoi na scrúduithe,
(e) ábhair na scrúduithe agus modh a stiúrtha,
(f) na caighdeáin éifeachtúlachta nach foláir a shroichint sna scrúduithe,
(g) trátha agus áiteanna na scrúduithe agus fógraí ina dtaobh,
(h) deimhnithe gur gnóthaíodh scrúduithe,
(i) rialú agus araíonacht phríntíseach,
(j) daoine a bhéarfas fianaise shásúil ar aird go bhfuil cáilíochtaí speisialta acu a shaoradh, faoi réir an Achta seo, ó scrúduithe, go hiomlán nó go páirteach.
(6) Ní ceapfar aon duine ina scrúdaitheoir Gaeilge faoin alt seo ach amháin le haontú an Aire Oideachais.
Saoirse ghinearálta ón réamhscrúdú.
41.—Ní bheidh gá le deimhniú gur ghnóthaigh sé réamhscrúdú an Chumainn—
(a) i gcás duine lena mbaineann mír 1 nó 4 den Dara Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo, ná
(b) i gcás duine a ghnóthaigh scrúdú ar dearbhaíodh le rialacháin é a bheith ar comhréir le réamhscrúdú an Chumainn.
Saoirse speisialta ón réamhscrúdú.
42.—Féadfaidh an Cumann, in imthosca speisialta, duine a shaoradh ó réamhscrúdú an Chumainn nó ó aon chuid áirithe dhe, gan coinníoll nó faoi réir pé coinníollacha is oiriúnach leo.
Saoirsí d'abhcóide a bheas cúig bliana ag cleachtadh.
43.—(1) Baineann an t-alt seo le duine—
(a) a bheartós bheith ina aturnae,
(b) a glaodh chun an bharra agus a bhí ag cleachtadh go leanúnach mar abhcóide ar feadh cúig bliana nó níos mó i rith na ndeich mblian dar críoch dáta scrúduithe dheiridh sin an Chumainn a mbeartóidh sé dul faoi,
(c) a chuir faoi deara é féin a dhíbharrú d'fhonn bheith ina aturnae, agus
(d) a fuair deimhniú ó bheirt de Bhinseoirí Chumann Onórach Ostaí an Rí, Baile Atha Cliath, faoi dháta nach luaithe ná sé mhí roimh dháta an scrúduithe dheiridh sin, á dheimhniú gur duine oiriúnach cuí é chun cleachtadh mar aturnae.
(2) Beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas maidir le duine lena mbaineann an t-alt seo:
(a) ní bheidh air deimhniú d'fháil gur ghnóthaigh sé aon scrúdú de chuid an Chumainn seachas an scrúdú deiridh agus (má bhíonn sin d'oblagáid air) an dara scrúdú sa Ghaeilge,
(b) beidh teideal aige, gan dul faoi cheangal ná seirbhís a thabhairt mar phríntíseach ag aturnae, a iarraidh go ligfear faoin scrúdú deiridh é,
(c) ar an scrúdú deiridh (ach amháin an méid den scrúdú sin a bhaineas le dintiúirí príntíseachta agus le seirbhís fúthu) agus (má bhíonn sin d'oblagáid air) an dara scrúdú sa Ghaeilge a ghnóthú, beidh teideal aige a iarraidh go nglacfar agus go gcuirfear ar an rolla mar aturnae é.
Saoirsí (forála cómalartacha).
44.—(1) San alt seo ciallaíonn “deimhniú comhréire” deimhniú ó Dhlí-Chumann Corpraithe Thuaisceart Éireann atá ar comhréir le deimhniú cleachta.
(2) Baineann an t-alt seo le duine—
(a) a bheartós bheith ina aturnae, agus
(b) a raibh deimhnithe comhréire aige ar feadh tréimhse trí mblian nó níos mó as a chéile.
(3) Beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas maidir le duine lena mbaineann an t-alt seo:—
(a) ní bheidh air deimhniú d'fháil gur ghnóthaigh sé aon scrúdú de chuid an Chumainn seachas scrúdú chun a fháil amach an bhfuil leor-eolas aige ar an reachtaíocht atá i bhfeidhm sa Stát agus (má bhíonn sin d'oblagáid air) an dara scrúdú sa Ghaeilge;
(b) ionas go bhféadfaidh sé dul faoin scrúdú chun a fháil amach an bhfuil leor-eolas aige ar an reachtaíocht atá i bhfeidhm sa Stát, beidh air deimhniú comhréire a bheith aige, ach beidh teideal aige dul faoin scrúdú sin gan dul faoi cheangal ná seirbhís a thabhairt mar phríntíseach;
(c) ar an scrúdú sin agus (má bhíonn sin d'oblagáid air) an dara scrúdú sa Ghaeilge a ghnóthú, beidh teideal aige a iarraidh go nglacfar agus go gcuirfear ar an rolla mar aturnae é.
(4) Féadfaidh an Rialtas, le hordú, lá a cheapadh chun forála an ailt seo a theacht i ngníomh, agus is lá a bheas ann ar deimhin leis an Rialtas go mbeidh forála cómalartacha i ngníomh air maidir le haturnaethe ag a bhfuil deimhnithe cleachta.
Achomhairc faoi Chuid IV.
45.—Féadfar achomharc a dhéanamh chun an Phríomh-Bhreithimh i gcás ina ndéanfar nó ina ndiúltófar cumhacht d'fheidhmiú a bheirtear don Chumann le fo-alt (3) d'alt 28, fo-alt (5) d'alt 29, fo-alt (2) nó (3) d'alt 31, alt 33, fo-alt (1) d'alt 34, alt 35, alt 38, alt 39 nó alt 42 den Acht seo.
CUID V.
Deimhnithe Cleachta.
Deimhnithe cleachta d'eisiúint.
46.—Eiseoidh an cláraitheoir do réir na Coda seo den Acht seo deimhnithe (dá ngairmtear deimhnithe cleachta san Acht seo) á dheimhniú go bhfuil teideal chun cleachtadh mar aturnaethe ag na haturnaethe a bheas ainmnithe iontu.
Iarratas ar dheimhniú cleachta.
47.—(1) Seachadfaidh aturnae a bheas ag iarraidh deimhniú cleachta dearbhú, i bpearsain nó trína ghníomhaire, don chláraitheoir—
(a) a bheas sa bhfoirm atá leagtha amach sa Tríú Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo nó i bhfoirm chomhbhríoch lena n-aontóidh an Cumann, agus
(b) a bheas comhlánaithe agus sínithe ag an iarratasóir féin.
(2) D'ainneoin fo-ailt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh an cláraitheoir, gan coinníoll ar bith nó faoi réir coinníollacha, ar an bhforas go bhfuil an t-iarratasóir tinn nó amuigh as an Stát nó ar aon fhoras eile is leor leis an gcláraitheoir, síniú dearbhuithe faoin alt seo ag an iarratasóir féin a ligean thar ceal agus glacadh le dearbhú i bhfoirm chomhbhríoch a chomhlánaigh agus a shínigh comhpháirtí leis an iarratasóir nó duine eile lena n-aontóidh an cláraitheoir.
(3) Taifeadfaidh an cláraitheoir i gclár (dá ngairmtear clár na n-aturnaethe cleachtacha san Acht seo) na sonraí seo a leanas a bheas i ndearbhú faoin alt seo, is é sin le rá:
(a) ainm iomlán agus sloinneadh an aturnae,
(b) a áit ghnótha nó a áiteanna gnótha, agus
(c) dáta a ghlactha.
(4) Coimeádfar clár na n-aturnaethe cleachtacha ar fáil lena iniúchadh in aisce ag an bpobal le linn uaireanna oifige.
(5) Más deimhin leis an gcláraitheoir go bhfuil ainm iarratasóra faoin alt seo ar an rolla, déanfaidh sé, faoi réir forál an Achta seo, deimhniú cleachta sa bhfoirm atá leagtha amach sa Cheathrú Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo nó i bhfoirm chomhbhríoch a sheachadadh, má héilítear sin air, don iarratasóir nó dá ghníomhaire údaraithe laistigh de cheithre lá déag tar éis an dearbhú a sheachadadh dhó.
(6) Má dhiúltaíonn an cláraitheoir go héagórach nó má fhaillíonn sé deimhniú cleachta d'eisiúint, féadfaidh an t-iarratasóir faoiseamh d'iarraidh ar an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh agus féadfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh pé ordú is cóir leis a dhéanamh maidir leis an ábhar.
Dáta agus tréimhse bhailíochta dheimhnithe chleachta.
48.—(1) Is é an 6ú lá d'Eanáir an dáta a bheas ar aon deimhniú cleachta a heiseofar i rith na tréimhse dar tosach an 6ú lá sin d'Eanáir in aon bhliain agus dar críoch an 5ú lá d'Fheabhra ina dhiaidh sin, agus is é lá a eisithe an dáta a bheas ar aon deimhniú cleachta nach n-eiseofar amhlaidh.
(2) Faoi réir fo-ailt (3) den alt seo, beidh feidhm ag deimhniú cleachta amhail ar an lá agus ón lá a mbeidh a dháta air.
(3) Féadfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh, ar é d'fháil iarratais chuige sin, a ordú, má íocann an t-iarratasóir leis an gCumann suim a shocrós an Príomh-Bhreitheamh, go mbeidh deimhniú cleachta faoi dháta is déanaí ná an 5ú lá d'Fheabhra in aon bhliain chleachta i bhfeidhm, gan coinníoll nó faoi réir coinníollacha sonraithe, amhail ar dháta agus ó dháta sonraithe is luaithe ná an dáta a bheas ar an deimhniú agus nach luaithe ná an chéad lá den bhliain chleachta sin.
(4) Beidh teideal ag an gCumann láithriú agus éisteacht d'fháil le linn iarratas faoi fho-alt (3) den alt seo a bheith á éisteacht agus cuirfear toradh an iarratais in iúl don chláraitheoir.
(5) Taifeadfaidh an cláraitheoir i gclár na n-aturnaethe cleachtacha nóta i dtaobh an dáta a bheas ar dheimhniú cleachta agus, i gcás ina n-ordóidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh go mbeidh an deimhniú i bhfeidhm amhail ar dháta agus ó dháta is luaithe ná an dáta a bheas ar an deimhniú, nóta i dtaobh an dáta sin is luaithe.
(6) Leanfaidh deimhniú cleachta a bheas i bhfeidhm de bheith i bhfeidhm go dtí deireadh na bliana cleachta inar heisíodh é agus raghaidh in éag ansin.
Ordú chun deimhniú cleachta a dhiúltú.
49.—(1) Baineann an t-alt seo leis na cásanna seo a leanas ina n-iarrfaidh aturnae deimhniú cleachta:
(a) dhá mhí dhéag nó níos mó a bheith caite ó bhí deimhniú cleachta aige a bhí i bhfeidhm (gan cásanna d'áireamh ina raibh an t-iarratasóir ag cleachtadh mar aturnae i seirbhís lánaimsire an Stáit laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag roimh dháta a iarratais),
(b) é a bheith arna fhionraí ó chleachtadh agus deireadh a bheith tagtha le tréimhse na fionraí,
(c) é a bheith arna scrios den rolla agus a ainm a bheith curtha ar ais ar an rolla,
(d) gan deimhniú cleachta a bhí i bhfeidhm a bheith aige laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag tar éis an dáta a cuireadh a ainm ar an rolla,
(e) é a bheith ina dhuine a mbeidh feidhm maidir lena phearsa nó lena mhaoin ag aon cheann de an cumhachta agus na forála den Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871, nó d'aon Acht ag leasú nó ag leathnú an Achta sin, a bhaineas le bainistí agus riaradh maoine,
(f) oifig nó áit ghnótha a bheith aige i níos mó ná áit amháin san am amháin (gan áireamh a dhéanamh, má tá gníomhaire aige i mBaile Átha Cliath, ar oifig nó áit ghnótha an ghníomhaire sin) agus é a bheith iarrtha air ag an gCumann cruthú a thabhairt dóibh go ndéanann sé leor-mhaoirseacht phearsanta ar gach oifig nó áit ghnótha agus gan an cruthú sin a bheith tugtha aige don Chumann agus fógra i scríbhinn a bheith tugtha dhó ag an gCumann nár thug sé an cruthú sin,
(g) é a bheith iarrtha ag an gCumann air míniú a thabhairt ar aon ní a bhaineas lena iompar agus gan míniú is leor agus is sásúil leis an gCumann a bheith tugtha aige don Chumann ar an ní sin agus fógra i scríbhinn a bheith tugtha dhó ag an gCumann nár thug sé an míniú sin,
(h) ordú astuithe a bheith déanta ina choinne,
(i) breithiúnas nó foraithne a bheith tugtha ina choinne—
(i) faoina raibh airgead seachas costais le híoc, agus
(ii) nach breithiúnas nó foraithne a bhfuil teideal aige ina leith chun slánaíochta nó faoisimh ó aon duine eile maidir le hiomlán éifeacht an bhreithiúnais nó na foraithne air,
agus gan fianaise a bheith tugtha ar aird aige don chláraitheoir gur tugadh sásamh sa bhreithiúnas nó sa bhforaithne sin,
(j) é a bheith breithnithe ina fhéimheach,
(k) imshocraíocht lena chreidiúnaithe nó gníomhas comhshocraíochta ar mhaithe lena chreidiúnaithe a bheith déanta aige,
(l) sárú a bheith déanta aige ar ordú ón gCoiste Araíonachta á ordú dhó aon íocaíocht a dhéanamh.
(2) Nuair a iarrfas aturnae deimhniú cleachta i gcás lena mbaineann an t-alt seo—
(a) bhéarfaidh sé, mura n-ordóidh an Cumann a mhalairt, fógra go bhfuil ar intinn aige an t-iarratas a dhéanamh don chláraitheoir trí seachtaine ar a laghad sara ndéanfaidh sé an t-iarratas,
(b) féadfaidh an Cumann a ordú don chláraitheoir—
(i) diúltú deimhniú d'eisiúint,
(ii) deimhniú d'eisiúint gan coinníoll, nó
(iii) deimhniú d'eisiúint faoi réir pé téarmaí agus coinníollacha is oiriúnach leis an gCumann,
(c) má ordaíonn an Cumann don chláraitheoir diúltú deimhniú d'eisiúint nó deimhniú d'eisiúint faoi réir téarmaí agus coinníollacha, cuirfear an t-ordú agus na forais ar ar tugadh é in iúl i scríbhinn don aturnae.
(3) I gcás—
(a) ina mbeidh an Cumann tar éis a ordú don chláraitheoir faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo diúltú deimhniú cleachta d'eisiúint, agus
(b) ina gcruthóidh an t-iarratasóir don Chumann go bhfuil sé tar éis achomharc a dhéanamh chun an Phríomh-Bhreithimh faoi fho-alt (5) den alt seo i gcoinne an orduithe,
beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas:
(i) d'ainneoin an t-ordú a bheith tugtha cheana féin acu, cuirfidh an Cumann faoi deara don chláraitheoir deimhniú cleachta d'eisiúint chun an iarratasóra, agus
(ii) má chruthaíonn an Cumann aon tráth don Phríomh-Bhreitheamh gur mhoilligh an t-iarratasóir go míchuí dul ar aghaidh lena achomharc, féadfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh an t-achomharc a dhíbhe agus an deimhniú cleachta d'fhionraí.
(4) Má déantar, i gcás dá dtagartar i mír (h) nó i mír (i) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo, achomharc chun na cúirte iomchuí i gcoinne an orduithe astuithe, an bhreithiúnais nó na foraithne (do réir mar bheas), ní diúltófar don iarratas ar dheimhniú cleachta go dtí go gcinnfear an t-achomharc, mura rud é gur dóigh leis an gCumann gur chuir an t-achomharcóir fad míchuí leis na himeachta san achomharc.
(5) Laistigh de mhí tar éis ordú ón gCumann a chur in iúl dó faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo, féadfaidh an t-iarratasóir achomharc a dhéanamh chun an Phríomh-Bhreithimh i gcoinne an orduithe chun an deimhniú a dhiúltú nó i gcoinne na dtéarmaí agus na gcoinníollacha (do réir mar bheas), agus féadfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh—
(a) más achomharc i gcoinne orduithe chun deimhniú a dhiúltú an t-achomharc—
(i) diúltú don achomharc agus aon deimhniú cleachta a bheas eisithe cheana féin d'fhionraí, nó
(ii) an t-ordú d'urscaoileadh gan aon ordú a thabhairt maidir le haon deimhniú cleachta a bheas eisithe cheana féin nó a bheas le heisiúint, nó
(iii) an t-ordú d'urscaoileadh agus a ordú go mbeidh aon deimhniú cleachta a bheas eisithe cheana féin, nó aon deimhniú cleachta a bheas le heisiúint, faoi réir pé téarmaí agus coinníollacha is cuí leis an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh, nó
(b) más achomharc i gcoinne téarmaí agus coinníollacha an t-achomharc, diúltú don achomharc nó na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha d'athrú nó d'urscaoileadh.
(6) Leanfaidh fionraí faoi fho-alt (5) den alt seo ar dheimhniú cleachta de bheith i bhfeidhm go dtí go raghaidh an deimhniú in éag.
(7) Cuirfidh an cláraitheoir faoi deara go dtaifeadfar i gcoinne ainme an aturnae i gclár na n-aturnaethe cleachtacha nóta i dtaobh fionraí faoi fho-alt (5) den alt seo ar dheimhniú cleachta.
(8) Más rud é, ag féachaint d'fhíorais cháis lena mbaineann an t-alt seo—
(a) go mbeidh an Cumann tar éis a ordú don chláraitheoir faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo deimhniú cleachta d'eisiúint gan coinníoll, nó
(b) go n-urscaoilfidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh, de thoradh achomhairc faoi fho-alt (5) den alt seo, ordú chun deimhniú cleachta a dhiúltú gan aon ordú a thabhairt maidir le haon deimhniú cleachta a bheas eisithe cheana féin nó a bheas le heisiúint, nó go n-urscaoilfidh sé téarmaí nó coinníollacha,
scoirfidh an t-alt seo d'fheidhm a bheith aige maidir leis an gcás de dhroim na bhfíoras sin.
Deimhniú cleachta d'fhionraí ar aturnae a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach.
50.—(1) Má breithnítear aturnae ina fhéimheach oibreoidh sin láithreach chun a dheimhniú cleachta (más ann) d'fhionraí go dtí—
(a) go raghaidh an deimhniú in éag, nó
(b) go gcuirfear an breithniú féimheachta ar neamhní agus go seirbheálfar ar an gcláraitheoir cóip oifige den ordú a chuir an breithniú féimheachta ar neamhní, nó
(c) go gcuirfear deireadh leis an bhfionraí le hordú faoi alt 51 den Acht seo,
pé acu sin is túisce a tharlós.
(2) Cuirfidh an cláraitheoir faoi deara nóta i dtaobh deimhniú cleachta d'fhionraí faoin alt seo a thaifeadadh i gcoinne ainme an aturnae i gclár na n-aturnaethe cleachtacha.
Deireadh a chur le fionraí dheimhnithe chleachta.
51.—(1) I gcás ina bhfionrofar deimhniú cleachta de bhuaidh ailt 50 den Acht seo, féadfaidh an t-aturnae, aon tráth sara raghaidh an deimhniú in éag agus sara gcuirfear an breithniú féimheachta ar neamhní, a iarraidh ar an gCumann deireadh a chur leis an bhfionraí agus féadfaidh an Cumann, le hordú, deireadh a chur leis an bhfionraí, gan coinníoll nó faoi réir pé téarmaí agus coinníollacha is oiriúnach leo, nó diúltú don iarratas.
(2) Más rud é, ar iarratas d'fháil faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, go ndiúltóidh an Cumann don iarratas nó go gcuirfid deireadh leis an bhfionraí faoi réir aon téarmaí nó coinníollacha, féadfaidh an t-aturnae achomharc a dhéanamh chun an Phríomh-Bhreithimh, agus féadfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh deireadh a chur leis an bhfionraí, gan coinníoll nó faoi réir pé téarmaí agus coinníollacha is oiriúnach leis, nó aon téarmaí nó coinníollacha ar cuireadh deireadh leis an bhfionraí faoina réir d'athrú, nó diúltú don achomharc.
(3) I gcás deireadh a chur le fionraí dheimhnithe chleachta aturnae, trí bhreithniú féimheachta an aturnae a chur ar neamhní agus cóip oifige den ordú a chuir an breithniú ar neamhní a sheirbheáil ar an gcláraitheoir, nó le hordú ón gCumann nó ón bPríomh-Bhreitheamh faoin alt seo, cuirfidh an cláraitheoir faoi deara láithreach nóta i dtaobh deireadh a chur leis an bhfionraí a thaifeadadh i gcoinne ainme an aturnae i gclár na n-aturnaethe cleachtacha agus, má iarrann an t-aturnae i scríbhinn air é, cuirfidh faoi deara fógra ina thaobh d'fhoilsiú, ar chostas an aturnae, san Iris Oifigiúil.
An éifeacht a bheas ag fionraí dheimhnithe chleachta.
52.—An fhad a bheas deimhniú cleachta ar fionraí, measfar d'ainneoin aon fhorála eile san Acht seo, an deimhniú a bheith gan feidhm chun críocha ailt 54 den Acht seo.
Fianaise ar dheimhniú cleachta a bheith ag aturnae nó gan a bheith aige.
53.—(1) Beidh liosta a airbheartós a bheith arna fhoilsiú le húdarás an Chumainn, agus ainmneacha na n-aturnaethe a fuair deimhnithe cleachta don bhliain chleachta reatha roimh an 6ú lá d'Fheabhra sa bhliain sin a bheith ann, ina fhianaise, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, gur aturnaethe ag a bhfuil na deimhnithe sin na daoine a mbeidh a n-ainmneacha ar an liosta.
(2) Mura bhfuil ainm duine ar liosta dá dtagartar i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo, is fianaise é sin, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, nach bhfuil deimhniú cleachta don bhliain chleachta reatha ag an duine sin, ach i gcás aon duine den tsórt sin beidh doiciméad a airbheartós gur sliocht é as clár na n-aturnaethe cleachtacha, agus gur dheimhnigh an cláraitheoir é a bheith ceart, ina fhianaise ar na fíorais sa sliocht.
CUID VI.
Cleachtadh.
Cáilíochtaí chun gníomhú mar aturnae.
54.—(1) Féadfaidh aturnae ag a bhfuil na cáilíochtaí a sonraítear i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo gníomhú mar aturnae agus gairmtear de san Acht seo aturnae atá cáilithe chun cleachtadh.
(2) Is iad na cáilíochtaí dá dtagartar i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo:—
(a) ainm an aturnae a bheith ar an rolla;
(b) gan é a bheith ar fionraí ó chleachtadh; agus
(c) é a bheith ina aturnae i seirbhís lánaimsire an Stáit nó deimhniú cleachta ina leith a bheith i bhfeidhm.
(3) Measfar aturnae a bheith ina aturnae i seirbhís lánaimsire an Stáit má bhíonn agus an fhad a bheas sé faoi cheangal a chuid ama go léir a thabhairt do sheirbhís an Stáit mar aturnae agus luach saothair á fháil aige go hiomlán i leith na seirbhíse sin as airgead a sholáthraíos an tOireachtas.
Toirmeasc ar dhuine neamhcháilithe do ghníomhú mar aturnae.
55.—(1) Ní ghníomhóidh duine neamhcháilithe mar aturnae.
(2) Aon duine a shárós fo-alt (1) den alt seo, beidh sé, gan dochar d'aon dliteanas nó míchumas eile a mbeidh sé faoina réir, ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus dlífear—
(a) ar a chiontú ann ar díotáil, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná dhá bhliain a chur air nó, de rogha na Cúirte, fíneáil nach mó ná dhá chéad punt nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht sin le chéile, nó
(b) ar a chiontú ann go hachomair, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná sé mhí a chur air nó, de rogha na Cúirte, fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht sin le chéile.
(3) Aon duine a shárós fo-alt (1) den alt seo maidir le cúirt bhreithiúnais, beidh sé ciontach freisin i ndísbeagadh na cúirte sin agus beidh sé inphionóis dá réir sin.
Toirmeasc ar dhuine a ligean air gur aturnae é.
56.—(1) Ní ligfidh duine ar bith nach bhfuil ina aturnae air féin gur aturnae é ná ní ghlacfaidh ná ní úsáidfidh aon ainm, teideal, fuilleamh ná tuairisc ná ní dhéanfaidh aon uiríoll ná éileamh a bhéarfas le tuiscint gur aturnae é.
(2) Aon duine a shárós fo-alt (1) den alt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air.
Gan costais a bheith inghnóthuithe má ghníomhaíonn aturnae nuair nach bhfuil sé cáilithe chun cleachtadh.
57.—(1) Má ghníomhaíonn aturnae mar aturnae aon uair nach bhfuil sé ina aturnae atá cáilithe chun cleachtadh, ní bheidh costais i leith aon ní a dhéanfas an t-aturnae sin agus é ag gníomhú amhlaidh inghnóthuithe in aon chaingean, agra ná ábhar ag an aturnae sin ná ag aon duine a bheas ag éileamh tríd nó faoi.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo difir d'aon tslánaíocht a bheas ag cliant aturnae faoi ordú ó aon chúirt i leith costas a dámhadh faoin ordú, a mhéid (más ann) a bheas na costais sin íoctha ag an gcliant leis an aturnae ar dháta an orduithe.
Srian le doiciméid a tharraingt, etc.
58.—(1) Baineann an t-alt seo leis na gníomhartha seo a leanas:
(a) doiciméad a tharraingt nó d'ullmhú a bhaineas le heastát réadach nó pearsanta nó le haon imeacht dlí,
(b) doiciméad a chur, nó iarracht a dhéanamh ar é a chur, dá fhorghníomhú ag saoránach Éireannach, más doiciméad é a bhaineas—
(i) le heastát réadach nó pearsanta, nó le maoin so-chorraithe nó do-chorraithe, atá lasmuigh den Stát agus den Ríocht Aontaithe, nó
(ii) le haon imeacht dlí, iarbhír nó beartaithe, arb é is ábhar di aon eastát nó maoin den tsórt sin,
(c) iarratas a dhéanamh, nó doiciméad a thaisceadh lena chlárú, faoin Registration of Title Act, 1891, nó faoi aon Acht ag leasú an Achta sin, i gClárlann na Talún nó chuig údarás cláraitheachta áitiúil nó le húdarás den tsórt sin,
(d) teagasc a ghlacadh le haghaidh doiciméad, nó doiciméid a tharraingt nó d'ullmhú, chun deonadh probháide nó litreacha riaracháin d'fháil nó chun cur ina choinne sin.
(2) Aon duine neamhcháilithe a dhéanfas aon ghníomh lena mbaineann an t-alt seo, beidh sé, faoi réir fo-ailt (3) den alt seo agus gan dochar d'aon dliteanas nó míchumas eile a mbeidh sé faoina réir, ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air
(3) Beidh na gníomhartha seo a leanas eiscithe ó na forála sin roimhe seo den alt seo—
(a) gníomh nach ndéantar go díreach ná go neamhdhíreach ar son ná de shúil aon táille, sochair nó luach saothair,
(b) gníomh a dhéanas abhcóide cleachtach,
(c) gníomh a dhéanas aon oifigeach poiblí i gcúrsa a dhualgais,
(d) gníomh a dhéanas oifigeach taidhleoireachta nó consalachta cuí-chreidiúnaithe Stáit eile i gcúrsa a dhualgais,
(e) gníomh a dhéanas nótaire poiblí i gcáil nótaire phoiblí,
(f) gníomh nach bhfuil ann ach doiciméad a léirscríobh,
(g) gníomh a dhéanas duine i bhfostaíocht abhcóide chleachtaigh nó aturnae atá cáilithe chun cleachtadh le linn dó bheith ag gníomhú i gcúrsa na fostaíochta sin faoi threoir agus faoi mhaoirseacht a fhostóra.
(4) San alt seo, folaíonn an focal “doiciméad” doiciméad faoi shéala agus doiciméad nach bhfuil faoi shéala, ach ní fholaíonn sé—
(a) litir nó cumhacht aturnae chun stoic, scaireanna, bannaí, bintiúirí nó urrúis eile stoc-mhargaidh a dhíol nó d'aistriú, agus chuige sin amháin,
(b) aistriú ar stoic, scaireanna, bannaí, bintiúirí nó urrúis eile stoc-mhargaidh gan aon iontaobhas ná tórainn,
(c) doiciméad nach bhfuil ann ach doiciméad baincéireachta, ná
(d) doiciméad nach bhfuil ann ach doiciméad tráchtála nó ceannaíochta.
Toirmeasc ar aturnae gníomhú mar ghníomhaire do dhuine neamhcháilithe.
59.—(1) Ní dhéanfaidh aturnae go toiliúil aon ní acu seo a leanas—
(a) gníomhú, i ngnó a bheas ar siúl aige mar aturnae, mar ghníomhaire do dhuine neamhcháilithe ionas go gcuirfidh sé ar chumas an duine sin gníomhú mar aturnae,
(b) a cheadú úsáid a dhéanamh dá ainm, i ngnó a bheas ar siúl aige mar aturnae, ar cuntas ná chun sochair duine neamhcháilithe, nó
(c) gníomh a dhéanamh a chuirfeas ar chumas duine neamhcháilithe gníomhú mar aturnae.
(2) Beidh éifeacht ag an alt seo faoi réir forál an Achta seo agus faoi réir aon eisceacht a déanfar le rialacháin faoi alt 71 den Acht seo.
Srian le duine atá scriosta den rolla nó ar fionraí d'fhostú.
60.—(1) Ní thabharfaidh aturnae, ach amháin faoi réim agus do réir ceada scríofa faoin alt seo, fostaíocht ná luach saothair, i ndáil lena chleachtadh mar aturnae, do dhuine is feasach dó a bheith ina dhuine neamhcháilithe toisc ainm an duine sin a scrios den rolla nó an duine sin d'fhionraí ó chleachtadh nó a dheimhniú cleachta d'fhionraí.
(2) Féadfaidh an Cumann cead chun críocha fo-ailt (1) den alt seo a thabhairt go ceann pé tréimhse agus faoi réir pé coinníollacha is oiriúnach leo.
(3) Aon aturnae ar cúis mhíshásaimh leis an Cumann do dhiúltú cead a thabhairt faoin alt seo nó aon choinníollacha a bheas curtha ag an gCumann leis an gcead, féadfaidh sé achomharc a dhéanamh chun an Phríomh-Bhreithimh, agus féadfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh an diúltú nó na coinníollacha, do réir mar bheas, a dhaingniú nó an cead a thabhairt go ceann pé tréimhse agus faoi réir pé coinníollacha is oiriúnach leis.
Cleachtadh a choimeád ar siúl i gcás báis nó míchumais.
61.—(1) Nuair a gheobhas aturnae bás, féadfaidh a ionadaithe pearsanta aturnae a cheapadh chun cleachtadh an aturnae mhairbh a choimeád ar siúl go ceann pé tréimhse agus ar pé téarmaí lena n-aontóidh an Cumann.
(2) I gcás aturnae d'éirí mí-mheabhrach nó neamhinniúil ar a ghnó féin a bhainistí, féadfaidh Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, ar iarratas ón gCumann nó ó chúramaí a eastáit, aturnae a cheapadh chun cleachtadh an aturnae a choimeád ar siúl go ceann pé tréimhse agus ar pé téarmaí lena n-aontóidh Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte.
(3) I gcás aturnae a bhreithniú ina fhéimheach, féadfaidh an chúirt a bhreithnigh ina fhéimheach é aturnae a cheapadh chun cleachtadh an aturnae a choimeád ar siúl go ceann pé tréimhse agus ar pé téarmaí lena n-aontóidh an chúirt sin.
Toirmeasc maidir le gnó a thabhairt isteach.
62.—(1) Ní thabharfaidh aturnae luaíocht, ná ní chomhaontóidh sé í a thabhairt, do dhuine neamhcháilithe as gnó dlíthiúil a bhéarfas an duine sin isteach chun an aturnae.
(2) Beidh comhaontú a shárés an t-alt seo ar neamhní.
(3) Beidh éifeacht ag an alt seo faoi réir forál an Achta seo agus faoi réir aon eisceacht a déanfar le rialacháin faoi alt 71 den Acht seo.
Duine dá insint gur scriosadh a ainm den rolla, etc.
63.—(1) Ní dhéanfaidh duine atá ina dhuine neamhcháilithe toisc a ainm a scrios den rolla, nó é d'fhionraí ó chleachtadh nó a dheimhniú cleachta d'fhionraí, fostaíocht ag aturnae i ndáil le cleachtadh an aturnae a lorg ná a ghlacadh gan a chur in iúl roimh ré don aturnae gur duine neamhcháilithe den tsórt sin é.
(2) Aon duine a shárós fo-alt (1) den alt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air.
Comhluchta corpraithe.
64.—(1) Ní dhéanfaidh comhlucht corpraithe, ná stiúrthóir, oifigeach ná seirbhíseach dó, aon ghníomh de shaghas ná i slí a bhéarfas le tuiscint go bhfuil an comhlucht corpraithe cáilithe, nó go n-aithníonn an dlí a bheith cáilithe, chun gníomhú mar aturnae.
(2) I gcás sárú a dhéanamh ar fho-alt (1) den alt seo beidh an comhlucht corpraithe ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air agus, más stiúrthóir, oifigeach nó seirbhíseach don chomhlucht corpraithe a rinne an gníomh, beidh seisean freisin ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná cúig puint fhichead a chur air.
(3) In ailt 55, 58 agus 59 den Acht seo folaíonn tagairtí do dhaoine neamhcháilithe, agus tagairtí do dhaoine, tagairtí do chomhluchta corpraithe.
Ceart éisteachta i gcásanna áirithe.
65.—I gcás ina dtaifeadfaidh aturnae láithreas nó ina mbeidh sé ag gníomhú go ginearálta do pháirtí i gcaingean, agra, ábhar nó imeachta coiriúla, beidh ceart éisteachta ina leith sin in aon chúirt nó binse ina mbeidh ceart éisteachta ag an aturnae sin ag aturnae atá cáilithe chun cleachtadh agus atá ag gníomhú mar chúntóir dó.
CUID VII.
Cuntais Aturnaethe.
Rialacháin i dtaobh cuntas.
66.—(1) Beidh forála maidir leis na nithe seo a leanas i rialacháin a déanfar le comhthoiliú an Phríomh-Bhreithimh:
(a) aturnaethe d'oscailt agus do choimeád cuntas i mbainc le haghaidh airgid chliant agus le haghaidh airgid aon iontaobhais arb aturnae a aon-iontaobhaí, nó arb aturnae, maraon le comhpháirtí leis nó le cléireach nó seirbhíseach dó nó maraon le níos mó ná duine amháin den tsórt sin, a iontaobhaithe;
(b) aturnaethe do choimeád cuntas ina mbeidh sonraí agus eolas i dtaobh airgid a bheas faighte nó ar seilbh nó íoctha acu ar son nó ar cuntas cliant;
(c) aturnaethe do choimeád cuntas ina mbeidh sonraí agus eolas i dtaobh airgid a bheas faighte nó ar seilbh nó íoctha acu ar son nó ar cuntas aon iontaobhais arb aturnae a aon-iontaobhaí, nó arb aturnae, maraon le comhpháirtí leis nó cléireach nó seirbhíseach dó nó maraon le níos mó ná duine amháin den tsórt sin, a iontaobhaithe;
(d) comhlíonadh na rialachán a chur i bhfeidhm;
(e) cinntiú d'fháil ar chomhlíonadh na rialachán;
(f) an Cumann do thairmligean aon chumhachta den tsórt sin chun comhlíonadh na rialachán a chur i bhfeidhm nó a chinntiú chun an Choiste Araíonachta.
(2) Sna forála a bheas i rialacháin chun críocha an ailt seo chun cinntiú d'fháil ar chomhlíonadh na rialachán féadfar, go sonrach, forála a chur a cheanglós ar aturnaethe deimhnithe ó chuntasóirí cuí-cháilithe a thabhairt á dheimhniú gur comhlíonadh na rialacháin.
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm ag rialacháin chun críocha an ailt seo—
(a) maidir le haturnae i seirbhís lánaimsire an Stáit, ná
(b) maidir le haon aturnae i seirbhís pháirtaimsire an Stáit, a mhéid a bhaineas le hairgead a bheas faighte nó ar seilbh nó íoctha aige i gcúrsa na seirbhíse sin.
Forála maidir le cuideachtana baincéireachta.
67.—(1) Ní raghaidh cuideachta bhaincéireachta, i ndáil le haon idirbheart ar chuntas a bheas aturnae a choimead leis an gcuideachta sin nó le cuideachta bhaincéireachta eile (seachas cuntas a bheas aturnae a choimeád mar iontaobhaí do thairbhí sonraithe), faoi dhliteanas, ná ní bheid faoi oblagáid fiosrú a dhéanamh, ná ní measfar eolas a bheith acu ar cheart chun airgid a híocadh leis an gcuntas nó a creidiúnaíodh don chuntas, nach raghaidís nó nach mbeidís faoi nó nach measfaí a bheith acu i gcás cuntais a bheadh á choimeád ag duine a mbeadh teideal iomlán aige chun an airgid a híocadh leis an gcuntas nó a creidiúnaíodh don chuntas.
Ní bhainfidh aon ní sa bhfo-alt seo de chuideachta bhaincéireachta aon dliteanas ná oblagáid a bheadh orthu d'éagmais an Achta seo.
(2) D'ainneoin fo-ailt (1) den alt seo, aon chuideachta bhaincéireachta a bheas ag coimeád cuntais aturnae i leith airgid chliant, nó i leith airgid aon iontaobhais arb aturnae a aon-iontaobhaí, nó arb aturnae maraon le comhpháirtí leis nó cléireach nó seirbhíseach dó, nó maraon le duine nó daoine den tsórt sin, a iontaobhaithe, ní bheidh acu ná ní bhfaighid, i leith dliteanais a bheas ar an aturnae don chuideachta bhaincéireachta, nach dliteanas i ndáil leis an gcuntas sin, aon leigheas ná ceart, trí fhritháireamh, frithéileamh, muirear ná eile, i gcoinne airgid a bheas chun creidmheasa an chuntais sin.
Ní bhainfidh aon ní sa bhfo-alt seo de chuideachta bhaincéireachta aon cheart, a bheas ann ar theacht i ngníomh do na chéad rialacháin a déanfar chun críocha ailt 66 den Acht seo, i leith airgid a bheas taiscthe roimhe sin leis an gCuideachta bhaincéireachta sin.
Tosaíocht éilimh ar airgead cliant.
68.—I gcás ina mbeidh cuntas á choimeád i mbanc ag aturnae i leith airgid chliant nó i leith airgid aon iontaobhais arb aturnae a aon-iontaobhaí, nó arb aturnae maraon le comhpháirtí leis nó cléireach nó seirbhíseach dó, nó maraon le níos mó ná duine amháin den tsórt sin, a iontaobhaithe, ní bheidh ag an Stát ná ag aon duine, ná ní bhfaighidh an Stát ná aon duine, aon leigheas ná ceart i gcoinne airgid a bheas chun creidmheasa an chuntais sin i leith éilimh nó cirt i gcoinne an aturnae go dtí go sásófar go hiomlán gach éileamh cuí a dhéanfas na cliaint, nó na daoine ag a mbeidh leas san iontaobhas, i gcoinne an airgid sin.
CUID VIII.
An Ciste Cúitimh.
An Ciste Cúitimh.
69.—(1) Bunóidh agus cothabhálfaidh an Cumann ciste ar a dtabharfar an Ciste Cúitimh.
(2) Féadfaidh an Cumann deontais a thabhairt as an gCiste Cúitimh chun caillteanais de dheasca mí-ionraicis aturnaethe a mhaolú nó a laghdú.
(3) Beidh éifeacht maidir leis an gCiste Cúitimh ag na forála atá sa Chúigiú Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo.
(4) Déanfar tagairt san alt seo nó sa Chúigiú Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo do mhí-ionraiceas aturnae d'fhorléiriú mar thagairt do mhí-ionraiceas aturnae, nó cléirigh nó seirbhísigh aturnae, maidir le cleachtadh an aturnae sin nó maidir le hiontaobhas arb iontaobhaí dó an t-aturnae sin.
Ranníoca chun an Chiste Chúitimh.
70.—(1) Sara n-eiseofar deimhniú cleachta chun aturnae, íocfaidh sé leis an gcláraitheoir an ranníoc bliantúil chun an Chiste Chúitimh agus aon ranníoc breise is iomchuí agus—
(a) féadfaidh an cláraitheoir gan an deimhniú d'eisiúint go dtí go ndéanfar an íocaíocht, agus
(b) ar an íocaíocht a bheith déanta, íocfaidh an cláraitheoir isteach sa Chiste Cúitimh í.
(2) Is é ranníoc bliantúil a bheas iníoctha ag aturnae leis an gCiste Cúitimh—
(a) más é deimhniú cleachta a n-íocfar ina leith é an ceathrú deimhniú a heisíodh chun an aturnae ó glacadh é nó aon deimhniú ina dhiaidh sin—cúig puint nó pé suim is lú ná sin a sonrófar le rialacháin a déanfar le comhthoiliú an Aire Dhlí agus Cirt,
(b) más é deimhniú cleachta é an chéad, an dara nó an tríú deimhniú a heisíodh chun an aturnae ó glacadh é— leath na suime dob iníoctha i gcás deimhnithe dá dtagartar sa mhír sin roimhe seo.
(3) Aon tráth nach déanaí ná an 30ú lá de Shamhain in aon bhliain (arb í an bhliain 1960 nó aon bhliain dá éis sin í), féadfaidh an Cumann a shocrú le rún go bhfuil sé oiriúnach, chun cobhsaíocht airgeadais an Chiste Chúitimh d'áirithiú, go ndéanfadh gach aturnae a thógfas amach deimhniú cleachta in aghaidh na chéad bhliana cleachta dá éis sin (arb é an ceathrú deimhniú é a heisíodh chuige ó glacadh é nó aon deimhniú dá éis sin) ranníoc breise de mhéid shonraithe nach mó ná cúig puint d'íoc leis an gCiste Cúitimh.
CUID IX.
Cleachtadh, Iompar agus Araíonacht Ghairmiúil.
Rialacháin maidir le cleachtadh, iompar agus araíonacht ghairmiúil.
71.—Féadfar rialacháin a dhéanamh maidir le cleachtadh, iompar agus araíonacht ghairmiúil aturnaethe.
CUID X.
Ilghnéitheach.
Dleachta stampa.
72.—(1) Ní bheidh dleacht stampa le n-íoc ar dhuine a ghlacadh mar aturnae ná ar dheimhniú cleachta.
(2) Cuirfear tagairt do £14 in ionad na tagairte do £80 atá sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Stamp Act, 1891, faoin gcéad cheann de na mírchinn “ARTICLES OF CLERKSHIP.”
Coistí den Chomhairle.
73.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle coiste a cheapadh chun aon chríche ar dóigh leis an gComhairle gur trí choiste is fearr a cuirfí in éifeacht í agus féadfaid feidhmiú aon fheidhmeanna de chuid na Comhairle a tharmligean chun an choiste, le tórainn nó gan tórainn.
(2) Socróidh an Chomhairle an líon comhaltaí a bheas ar choiste faoin alt seo agus téarma oifige na gcomhaltaí sin.
(3) Is cead daoine nach comhaltaí den Chomhairle a bheith ar choiste faoin alt seo, ach—
(a) beidh dhá dtrian ar a laghad de chomhaltaí an choiste ina gcomhaltaí den Chomhairle, agus
(b) más feidhmeanna de chuid an Chumainn atá le comhlíonadh ag an gComhairle a tarmligfear chun an choiste, ní bheidh ar an gcoiste ach comhaltaí den Chomhairle.
(4) Más feidhmeanna de chuid an Chumainn atá le comhlíonadh ag an gComhairle a tarmligfear chun coiste faoin alt seo, is triúr is córam don choiste.
(5) Déanfaidh an Chomhairle deimhin de nach ngníomhóidh aon chomhalta den Choiste Araíonachta mar chomhalta d'aon choiste faoin alt seo a bheas ag plé le gearáin i gcoinne aturnaethe.
Comhad imeachta féimheachta aturnae d'iniúchadh.
74.—Beidh teideal ag an gCumann, gan aon táille d'íoc, iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar an gcomhad imeachta féimheachta a bhaineas le haturnae ar tionscnadh imeachta féimheachta ina choinne agus cóipeanna oifige de na himeachta d'fháil ar an ngnáth-tháille d'íoc a híoctar ar chóipeanna den tsórt sin.
Cáilíocht duine a bhí ina abhcóide chun oifig a shealbhú.
75.—Chun críocha forála reachtúla nó nóis trínar ghá, chun go mbeadh aturnae cáilithe chun oifig a shealbhú, go mbeadh sé glactha agus a ainm ar an rolla ar feadh tréimhse sonraithe, ríomhfar an tréimhse sin, i gcás aturnae a bhí ina abhcóide roimh é a ghlacadh, amhail is dá mba ar an dáta a glaodh chun an bharra é a glacadh é agus a cuireadh a ainm ar an rolla.
Deireadh a bheith leis an tórainn le luach talún.
76.—Scoirfidh an tórainn atá i gCairteacha an Chumainn le luach na talún a shealbhós an Cumann d'éifeacht a bheith aici.
Inchúiseamh i leith cionta.
77.—(1) Féadfaidh an Cumann inchúiseamh a dhéanamh i leith ciona faoin Acht seo.
(2) D'ainneoin aon fhorála in aon Acht a shonraíos an tréimhse chun imeachta achomaire a thionscnamh, féadfar imeachta i leith ciona faoin Acht seo a thionscnamh aon am laistigh de thréimhse trí mhí ón dáta a gheobhas an Cumann eolas ar fhianaise is leor dar leo le haghaidh inchúisimh, nó laistigh de thréimhse dhá mhí dhéag tar éis an cion a dhéanamh, pé tréimhse acu is déanaí a chríochnós.
(3) Chun críocha fo-ailt (2) den alt seo, beidh deimhniú a eiseos an Cumann i dtaobh an dáta a fuaireadar eolas ar an bhfianaise sin ina fhianaise dochloíte i dtaobh an dáta sin.
Leasú ar fhodhlithe ionas go mbeid ar comhréir leis an Acht seo agus le rialacháin faoin Acht seo.
78.—D'ainneoin forál a gCairteacha, déanfaidh an Cumann pé leasuithe i bhfo-dhlithe an Chumainn is gá lena gcur ar comhréir leis an Acht seo agus leis na rialacháin a déanfar faoin Acht seo.
Fíordheimhniú rialachán agus doiciméad eile agus fianaise orthu.
79.—(1) Féadfaidh uachtarán an Chumainn, rúnaí an Chumainn, nó an cláraitheoir, nó aon oifigeach don Chumann a ainmneos an Chomhairle chuige sin, aon rialachán, deimhniú, fógra nó doiciméad eile a dhéanfas nó a eiseos an Cumann, a shíniú thar ceann an Chumainn.
(2) Féadfar fianaise prima facie ar rialachán, deimhniú, fógra nó doiciméad eile a dhéanfas nó a eiseos an Cumann, a thabhairt trí dhoiciméad a thabhairt ar aird a airbheartós bheith ina chóip de agus a bheith sínithe mar sonraítear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo.
Seirbheáil doiciméad.
80.—Féadfar, gan dochar d'aon mhodh eile seirbheála, fógra nó doiciméad eile a gceanglaítear nó a n-údaraítear leis an Acht seo nó faoi é a sheirbheáil ar dhuine ar bith, a sheirbheáil trína chur leis an bpost cláraithe i gclúdach faoi sheoladh an duine sin ag an áit ghnótha nó chónaithe is déanaí is eol a bheith aige.
Aturnae cleachtach do chur athrú ar a áit ghnótha in iúl.
81.—Bhéarfaidh aturnae cleachtach fógra don chláraitheoir i dtaobh aon athruithe ar a áit ghnótha, nó ar a áiteanna gnótha, laistigh de cheithre lá dhéag tar éis an t-athrú a dhéanamh, agus taifeadfaidh an cláraitheoir an t-athrú tríd an taifead is déanaí a bhaineas leis an aturnae i gclár na n-aturnaethe cleachtacha a leasú.
Táillí is iníoctha leis an gCumann.
82.—(1) Íocfar leis an gCumann, i leith na n-iarratas a luaitear sa Séú Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo, pé táillí a forordófar le haghaidh na n-iarratas sin faoi seach.
(2) Beidh comhthoiliú an Phríomh-Bhreitheamh ag teastáil leis na rialacháin ag forordú táillí le haghaidh na n-iarratas dá dtagartar i míreanna 1 go 6 den Séú Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo.
(3) Féadfar táillí éagsúla d'fhorordú de bhun an ailt seo le haghaidh an chéad iarratais chun bheith i láthair ag scrúdú agus le haghaidh aon iarratais ina dhiaidh sin ón iarratasóir céanna chun bheith i láthair ag an scrúdú sin.
(4) I gcás ina mbeidh táille forordaithe de bhun an ailt seo i leith iarratais, beidh íoc na táille sin ina choinníoll nach foláir a chomhlíonadh sara dtabharfar aird ar an iarratas.
Rialacha Cúirte agus costais.
83.—(1) Féadfaidh Coiste Rialacha na nUascúirteanna rialacha cúirte a dhéanamh chun críocha na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) iarratais agus achomhairc faoin Acht seo chun an Phríomh-Bhreithimh, agus
(b) iarratais faoin Acht seo chun Uachtaráin na hArd-Chúirte.
(2) Féadfaidh pé forála maidir le costais is cuí leis an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh nó le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte (pé acu é) a bheith in ordú a déanfar ar aon iarratas nó achomharc den tsórt sin.
Forléiriú tagairtí áirithe.
84.—(1) Déanfar tagairt in aon achtachán d'aturnae nó prócadóir d'fhorléiriú mar thagairt d'aturnae do réir bhrí an Achta seo.
(2) Déanfar tagairt in aon achtachán don chláraitheoir aturnaethe d'fhorléiriú mar thagairt don chláraitheoir do réir bhrí an Achta seo.
Feidhm an Attorneys' and Solicitors' Act, 1870.
85.—D'fhonn amhras a sheachaint dearbhaítear leis seo go bhfuil, agus go raibh riamh, feidhm sa Stát ag an Attorneys' and Solicitors' Act, 1870.
Cosaint d'aturnaethe na gCoimisinéirí Ioncaim agus do dhaoine eile.
86.—Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní san Acht seo difir d'aon chearta nó pribhléidí atá ag daoine is aturnaethe nó aturnaethe cúnta do na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim ná ní chuirfidh sé de cheangal ar aon duine den tsórt sin, ná ar aon chléireach ná oifigeach a bheas ag gníomhú dhó, a bheith glactha ná a ainm a bheith ar an rolla ná deimhniú cleachta a bheith aige.
Cosaint d'údarás chun caingean a stiúradh, etc.
87.—Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní san Acht seo difir d'aon fhoráil a rinneadh le reacht nó faoi reacht, nó do réir an dlí choitinn, trína n-údaraítear do dhuine neamhcháilithe aon chaingean, agra nó ábhar a stiúradh nó a chosaint nó gníomhú thairis sin maidir leis.
Forála idirlinne.
88.—(1) Measfar an scrúdú comhréire faoin Acht seo a bheith gnóthaithe ag duine nach aturnae ach a ghnóthaigh aon scrúdú faoin Solicitors (Ireland), Act, 1898, nó faoi alt 4 d'Acht Lucht Cleachtuithe Dlí (Cáilíocht), 1929 (Uimh. 16 de 1929).
(2) Má bhíonn beirt phríntíseach ag aturnae ar dháta thosach feidhme an ailt seo, féadfaidh sé iad a choimeád go dtí deireadh téarma a ndintiúirí amhail is dá mbeadh toiliú an Chumainn faoi fho-alt (2) d'alt 36 den Acht seo faighte aige.
(3) Déanfar aon ghlacadh, ceapachán, aontú, táille, fógra, deimhniú, ionstraim, ordú, riail, rialachán, achomharc nó imeacht faoi réim nó chun críocha aon achtacháin a hathghairmtear leis an Acht seo d'áireamh amhail is dá mba faoi réim nó chun críocha an achtacháin chomhréire den Acht seo dhó, agus—
(a) leanfaidh aon ordú, riail nó rialachán den tsórt sin i bhfeidhm go dtí go ndéanfar foráil chomhréire faoin Acht seo, agus
(b) aon imeacht den tsórt sin a tugadh os comhair an choiste a bunaíodh faoi alt 34 den Solicitors (Ireland) Act, 1898, agus a bhí gan críochnú díreach roimh thosach feidhme an ailt seo, críochnóidh an Coiste Araíonachta í amhail is nár ritheadh an tAcht seo.
(4) O dháta thosach feidhme an ailt seo go dtí go ndéanfar an chéad cheapachán faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 13 den Acht seo, is iad a bheas ar an gCoiste Araíonachta na daoine arbh iad, díreach roimh dháta thosach feidhme an ailt seo, comhaltaí an choiste a bunaíodh faoi alt 34 den Solicitors (Ireland) Act, 1898, iad.
AN CHEAD SCEIDEAL.
Achtacháin a hAthghairmtear.
Siosón agus Caibidil nó Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAthghairme |
14 & 15 Vict., c. 88. | Solicitors Act, 1851. | An tAcht iomlán. |
27 & 28 Vict., c. 8. | Conveyancers (Ireland) Act, 1864. | An tAcht iomlán. |
54 & 55 Vict., c. 39. | Stamp Act, 1891. | Na focail “part of” in alt 28; na focail “solicitor or” i bhfo-alt (1) d'alt 43; alt 44.
|
61 & 62 Vict., c. 17. | Solicitors (Ireland) Act, 1898. | An tAcht iomlán. |
62 & 63 Vict., c. 4. | Solicitors Act, 1899. | An tAcht iomlán. |
63 & 64 Vict., c. 14. | Colonial Solicitors Act, 1900. | An tAcht iomlán. |
8 Edw. 7, c. 38. | Irish Universities Act, 1908. | Alt 12. |
11 & 12 Geo. 5, c. 32. | Finance Act, 1921. | Alt 60. |
An tAcht chun Acht na Aturnaethe (Éireann), 1898, a Leasú, 1923. | An tAcht iomlán. | |
Alt 4. | ||
An tAcht iomlán. | ||
An tAcht iomlán. |
AN DARA SCEIDEAL.
Téarma Dintiúirí Príntíseachta.
1. Trí bliana an téarma do dhuine a bheas, sara raghaidh sé faoi cheangal dintiúirí, tar éis céim bhaitsiléir ealaíon nó bhaitsiléir dlithe, nó céim eile a mheasfas an Cumann a bheith comhionann léi, a ghnóthú in aon cheann d'ollscoileanna na hÉireann, Shasana, na hAlban nó na Breataine Bige.
2. Ceithre bliana an téarma do dhuine a ghnóthós, tar éis dá phríntíseacht tosnú agus sara nglacfar mar aturnae é, céim bhaitsiléir ealaíon, nó céim eile a mheasfas an Cumann a bheith comhionann léi, in Ollscoil Bhaile Atha Cliath nó in Ollscoil na hÉireann.
3. Ceithre bliana an téarma do dhuine a fhreastalós ar feadh dhá bliain ollscoile mar mhac léinn máithreánaithe nó neamh-mháithreánaithe d'ollscoil fhorordaithe, nó de chomh-choláiste den ollscoil sin, ar na léachtaí forordaithe agus a ghnóthós scrúduithe forordaithe ollúna dhámh an dlí san ollscoil sin.
4. Trí bliana an téarma do dhuine a glaodh chun an bharra agus a bheas, sara raghaidh sé faoi cheangal dintiúirí, tar éis a chur faoi deara é féin a dhíbharrú.
5. Trí bliana an téarma do dhuine—
(a) a bhí, roimh é a dhul faoi cheangal dintiúirí, ina chléireach bona fide d'aturnae ar feadh tréimhse seacht mblian,
(b) a bhí, i gcaitheamh na tréimhse sin, ag gabháil bona fide, faoi threorú agus maoirseacht an aturnae, do ghnó dlíthiúil de shaghas ar deimhin leis an gCumann gur ghnó é a raibh leor-fhreagarthacht ag baint leis, agus
(c) a bhéarfas fianaise shásúil don Chumann gur thug sé seirbhís dhílis, ionraic, dhúthrachtach mar chléireach den tsórt sin.
6. Cúig bliana an téarma d'aon duine eile.
AN TRIU SCEIDEAL.
Foirm an Dearbhuithe Bhliantúil chun Deimhniú Cleachta D'Fháil.
Uimh. | |
Déanaimse, | , leis seo an dearbhú |
seo a leanas:—
(1) Glacadh mé mar Aturnae do na Cúirteanna Breithiúnais le linn suíonna sa bhliain
agus is é/iad seo a leanas (a) m'áit ghnótha/m'áiteanna gnótha (a)
..............................................................................................................
(2) (b) ní bhaineann forála ailt 49 den Acht Aturnaethe, 1954, liom.
(nó)
(b) baineann forála ailt 49 den Acht Aturnaethe, 1954, liom agus thugas go cuí an fógra is gá do réir an ailt sin.
(3) (c) Chomh fada lem eolas agus lem thuairim, tá na Rialacháin um Chuntais Aturnaethe (d) comhlíonta agam.
(nó)
(c) Níl na Rialacháin um Chuntais Aturnaethe (d) comhlíonta agam sna pointí seo a leanas:—(e)
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
Arna dhátú an | lá | d | ,19 |
(Síniú)............................................................
Don Chláraitheoir.
(a) Ní mór gach áit ghnótha a lua má tá níos mó ná áit ghnótha amháin ag an aturnae, agus a rá cé acu an phríomh-áit ghnótha. Má rinneadh aon athrú ó dháta an deimhnithe chleachta dheiridh, ní mór sonraí a thabhairt.
(b) Scrios an mhír nach n-oireann.
(c) Scrios an mhír nach n-oireann.
(d) Tá cóip de na Rialacháin um Chuntais Aturnaethe mar atá i bhfeidhm anois, clóbhuailte go hiomlán ar chúl na foirme seo.
(e) Luaigh na pointí maidir leis na Rialacháin um Chuntais Aturnaethe nach bhfuil comhlíonta.
AN CEATHRU SCEIDEAL.
Foirm an Deimhnithe Chleachta.
Uimh. Don bhliain chleachta dar críoch an 5ú lá d'Eanáir, 19.
De bhun an Achta Aturnaethe, 1954, deimhníonn Cláraitheoir na nAturnaethe leis seo go bhfuil
aturnae, a bhfuil a aon-áit nó a phríomh-áit ghnótha i
..............................................................................................................
tar éis dearbhú i scríbhinn de bhun an Achta sin a sheachadadh do Chláraitheoir na nAturnaethe, agus deimhníonn freisin leis seo go bhfuil an t-aturnae sin curtha ar an rolla go cuí mar aturnae do na Cúirteanna Breithiúnais agus go bhfuil teideal aige cleachtadh mar aturnae den tsórt sin.
Arna thabhairt faoi láimh Chláraitheora na nAturnaethe
an................................lá | seo | d........................................ |
19.... | ||
Cláraitheoir. | ||
NÓTA.
Níl feidhm ag deimhniú cleachta ach amháin amhail ar an lá agus ón lá a bhfuil a dháta air, mura bhfaightear a mhalairt d'ordú faoin Acht Aturnaethe, 1954.
AN CUIGIU SCEIDEAL.
Forála Maidir leis an gCiste Cuitimh.
1. Sa Sceideal seo ciallaíonn “a Ciste” an Ciste Cúitimh.
2. (a) Maidir le caillteanais is dóigh leis an gCumann a tharla, i rith na tréimhse dar tosach an 6ú lá d'Eanáir, 1955, agus dar críoch an 5ú lá d'Eanáir, 1960, beidh sé faoina rogha ag an gCumann deontais a thabhairt as an gCiste agus méideanna na ndeontas sin a shocrú.
(b) Maidir le caillteanais is dóigh leis an gCumann a tharla an 6ú lá d'Eanáir, 1960, nó dá éis sin—
(i) beidh sé faoina rogha ag an gCumann deontais a thabhairt as an gCiste agus méideanna na ndeontas sin a shocrú i gcásanna inar dóigh leis an gCumann go ndearna an caillteoir, nó aon duine a raibh sé freagrach ina leith, faillí a bhí ar cheann de chúiseanna an chaillteanais;
(ii) i ngach cás eile bhéarfar deontas as an gCiste más dóigh leis an gCumann gur cruthaíodh an caillteanas a tharlachtain agus beidh an deontas de mhéid is dóigh leis an gCumann a bhéarfas lántslánaíocht ar an gcaillteanas.
(c) Ní dhéanann an mhír seo dochar d'aon fhorála eile den Sceideal seo ná d'aon fhorála eile a déanfar faoi na forála ina dhiaidh seo den Sceideal seo.
3. Féadfar deontas a thabhairt as an gCiste d'ainneoin gur tharla, i ndiaidh an ghnímh mhí-ionraicis, an t-aturnae d'fháil bháis, a ainm a bhaint nó a scríos den rolla, é do scor de bheith ag cleachtadh, é d'fhionraí ó chleachtadh nó a dheimhniú cleachta d'fhionraí.
4. Féadfar deontas a thabhairt as an gCiste pé acu bhí nó nach raibh ag an aturnae deimhniú cleachta a bhí i bhfeidhm nuair a rinneadh an gníomh mí-ionraicis.
5. Ní tabharfar deontas as an gCiste mura bhfaighidh an Cumann fógra i dtaobh an chaillteanais—
(a) sa tslí fhorordaithe, agus
(b) laistigh den tréimhse fhorordaithe tar éis don chaillteoir fios d'fháil ar an gcaillteanas.
6. Ní tabharfar deontas as an gCiste i leith caillteanais is dóigh leis an gCumann a tharla roimh an 6ú lá d'Eanáir, 1955.
7. (a) Féadfar deontas as an gCiste d'íoc, de rogha an Chumainn, in aon tsuim amháin nó ina thráthchoda.
(b) Féadfaidh an Cumann, más dóigh leo gur gá sin ar mhaithe le cobhsaíocht airgeadais an Chiste, íoc aon deontais as an gCiste is iníoctha in aon tsuim amháin, nó íoc aon tráthchóda de dheontas as an gCiste a chur siar.
8. (1) Féadfaidh an Cumann airgead a thógaint ar iasacht le haghaidh an Chiste agus, chun urrús a thabhairt i leith na hiasachta sin, infheistíochtaí de chuid an Chiste a chur faoi mhuirear.
(2) Ní mó ná deich míle punt an méid iomlán a bheas tógtha ar iasacht aon tráth áirithe faoin mír seo.
9. Féadfaidh an Cumann airgead an Chiste d'infheistiú in urrúis a bhfuil iontaobhaithe údaraithe le dlí cistí iontaobhais d'infheistiú iontu.
10. Féadfaidh an Cumann dul faoi árachas i gcoinne fiontair a bhaineas leis an gCiste.
11. Íocfar isteach sa Chiste:
(a) ús, díbhinní agus ioncam eile agus biseach ar chaipiteal de thairbhe infheistíochtaí an Chiste,
(b) an fáltas as infheistíochtaí de chuid an Chiste a réadú,
(c) airgead a tógfar ar iasacht le haghaidh an Chiste,
(d) suimeanna a gheobhas an Cumann faoi aon árachas faoina raghaidh an Cumann maidir leis an gCiste,
(e) airgead eile de chuid an Chiste nó a fhaibhreos chun an Chiste nó a gheobhas an Cumann i leith an Chiste.
12. Íocfar amach as an gCiste:
(a) caiteachais faoina raghfar ag bunú, ag cothabháil nó ag riaradh an Chiste,
(b) préimheanna i leith árachais faoina raghaidh an Cumann maidir leis an gCiste,
(c) aisíocaíochtaí i leith airgid a thóg an Cumann ar iasacht le haghaidh an Chiste agus íocaíochtaí úis ar airgead den tsórt sin,
(d) caiteachais faoina raghaidh an Cumann faoi réim, nó i bhfeidhmiú, cumhacht a bheirtear leis an Sceideal seo nó faoi,
(e) suimeanna eile is iníoctha go cuí as an gCiste.
13. Féadfaidh an Cumann, chun fiosrú a dhéanamh i dtaobh aon nithe a dhéanfadh difir maidir le deontas as an gCiste a thabhairt nó a dhiúltú, fianaise a ghlacadh faoi mhionn, agus údaraítear leis seo daoine a chur faoi mhionn chuige sin.
14. I gcás ina dtabharfar deontas as an gCiste—
(a) beidh seachaíocht ag an gCumann, go dtí méid an deontais—
(i) maidir le haon chearta nó leigheasanna a raibh teideal chucu ag an deontaí, mar gheall ar an gcaillteanas, i gcoinne an aturnae nó aon duine eile nó i gcoinne eastáit an aturnae sin nó an duine eile sin,
(ii) maidir le haon chearta nó leigheasanna a raibh teideal chucu ag an aturnae, nó ag a chléireach nó ag a sheirbhíseach, mar gheall ar an gcaillteanas, i gcoinne aon duine eile nó i gcoinne eastáit an duine eile sin,
(iii) maidir le gach ceart agus leigheas eile (más ann) de chuid an deontaí nó an aturnae, an chléirigh nó an tseirbhísigh sin, i leith an chaillteanais,
(b) ní bheidh ag an deontaí, ná ag a ionadaithe, ceart, faoi imeachta féimheachta ná imeachta dlíthiúla eile, chun aon tsuim d'fháil as sócmhainní an aturnae nó an duine eile sin i leith an chaillteanais go dtí go mbeidh méid iomlán an deontais aisíoctha leis an gCumann.
15. (1) Má bhíonn cúis réasúnach ag an gCumann chun a chreidiúint aturnae a bheith tar éis beart mí-ionraicis a dhéanamh, féadfaid, trí fhógra, a cheangal go dtabharfar ar aird nó go seachadfar d'aon duine a cheapfas an Cumann gach doiciméad nó aon doiciméad i seilbh nó faoi urláimh an aturnae sin nó a ghnóluchta nó a bhaineas le haon iontaobhas arb é an t-aturnae sin a aon-iontaobhaí nó arb iad an t-aturnae sin maraon le comhpháirtí leis nó cléireach nó seirbhíseach dó, nó maraon le níos mó ná duine amháin den tsórt sin, a iontaobhaithe, agus féadfaidh an Cumann seilbh a ghlacadh ar na doiciméid sin.
(2) Aon duine a mbeidh ina sheilbh nó faoina urláimh doiciméid a gceanglófar air faoin mír seo iad a thabhairt ar aird nó a sheachadadh agus a dhiúltós nó a mhainneos iad a thabhairt ar aird nó a sheachadadh do réir an cheanglais sin—
(a) beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin mír seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air, agus
(b) féadfaidh an Cumann iarratas a dhéanamh chun na hArd-Chúirte agus féadfaidh an Chúirt sin, le hordú, a cheangal ar an duine sin na doiciméid a thabhairt ar aird nó a sheachadadh.
(3) Má ghlacann an Cumann seilbh ar dhoiciméid a bhéarfar ar aird nó a seachadfar faoi cheanglas faoin mír seo, seirbheálfaid, ar an aturnae agus ar gach duine eile óna bhfuarthas na doiciméid, fógra ina mbeidh sonraí na ndoiciméad agus an dáta a glacadh seilbh orthu.
(4) Féadfaídh aturnae nó duine eile, laistigh de cheithre lá dhéag tar éis fógra faoi fho-mhír (3) den mhír seo a sheirbheáil air, ordú d'iarraidh ar an Ard-Chúirt á ordú don Chumann na doiciméid a fuair an Cumann a thabhairt ar ais don duine nó do na daoine óna bhfuarthas iad nó do pé duine dó daoine eile a luafas an t-iarratasóir, agus féadfaidh an Ard-Chúirt an t-ordú sin a dhéanamh nó pé ordú eile is oiriúnach leis an gCúirt.
(5) Mura ndéantar iarratas do réir fo-mhíre (4) den mhír seo nó má ordaíonn an Ard-Chúirt, ar an iarratas sin d'fháil, na doiciméid d'fhanúint i seilbh nó faoi urláimh an Chumainn, féadfaidh an Cumann fiosrú a dhéanamh chun a fháil amach cé hé an duine ar leis, nó cé hiad na daoine ar leo, na doiciméid, agus féadfaid pé ní a ordós an duine nó na daoine sin a dhéanamh leis na doiciméid.
(6) Sa mhír seo, folaíonn an focal “doiciméid” gníomhais, uachta, páipéir, leabhair chuntais, taifid, deimhnithe agus doiciméid a bheir teideal, nó a bheir fianaise ar theideal, chun aon mhaoine.
16. Beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas chun críocha fomhíre (5) de mhír 15 den Sceideal seo:
(a) féadfaidh an Cumann, ar iad d'fháil iarratais doiciméid a sheachadadh ó dhuine a bheas á éileamh go bhfuil teideal aige na doiciméid sin a bheith ina sheilbh nó faoina choimeád—
(i) éileamh an duine sin ar sheilbh nó coimeád na ndoiciméad sin d'fhiosrú, nó
(ii) a cheangal ar an duine sin aturnae d'ainmniú chun seachadadh na ndoiciméad sin a ghlacadh thar a cheann,
(b) ní bheidh de cheangal ar an gCumann fiosrú a dhéanamh ar éileamh aon duine a iarrfas go seachadfar doiciméid a bheas i seilbh an Chumainn ná na doiciméid sin a chur ar sceideal nó ar liosta ach amháin ar chostas an duine sin, agus beidh íoc pé suime a iarrfas an Cumann mar éarlais i leith costas agus caiteachas an fhiosruithe nó an churtha ar sceideal nó ar liosta ina choinníoll nach foláir a chomhlíonadh sara raghaidh an Cumann i mbun an fhiosruithe nó sara seachadfaid na doiciméid sin don duine sin,
(c) féadfaidh an Cumann nó an duine a bhéarfas éarlais mar adúradh a cheangal, tar éis an t-éileamh d'fhiosrú, na costais agus na caiteachais lena mbaineann an éarlais a chur dá bfómhas ag Máistir Fómhais don Ard-Chúirt (faoi réir achomhairc chun na hArd-Chúirte), agus beidh an tsuim a cinnfear sa bhfómhas a sin bheith dlite, tar éis na creidmheasa córa uile a cheadú, ina fiach conartha shimplí ar an duine sin ag an gCumann nó ar an gCumann ag an duine sin (do réir mar bheas) agus féadfar í a ghnóthú in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla,
(d) más rud é, in ionad fiosrú a dhéanamh ar éileamh duine a iarrfas go seachadfar doiciméid, go gceanglóidh an Cumann ar an duine sin aturnae d'ainmniú chun seachadadh na ndoiciméad sin a ghlacadh thar a cheann, féadfaidh an Cumann na doiciméid a choimeád go dtí go ndéanfar an t-ainmniú go cuí,
(e) ar aturnae d'ainmniú chun seachadadh doiciméad a ghlacadh, féadfaidh an Cumann na doiciméid a sheachadadh don aturnae mar mhalairt—
(i) ar admháil i leith na ndoiciméad,
(ii) ar dhearbhú reachtúil ón aturnae go bhfuil, chomh fada lena eolas agus lena thuairim, teideal dleathach chun na doiciméid sin a bheith ina sheilbh ag an duine ar ar a ainmniú atá sé ag gníomhú agus nach bhfuil aon teideal tosaíochta chun na ndoiciméad sin ná aon éileamh orthu i bhfoirm morgáiste, muirir, liain ná eile ag aon duine eile,
(iii) ar dhearbhú reachtúil sa chéill chéanna ón duine a bheas ag iarraidh go seachadfar na doiciméid, agus
(iv) ar gheallúint ón aturnae na doiciméid a thabhairt ar ais don Chumann má gheibhtear amach, le linn na doiciméid a bheith ina sheilbh, nach raibh an teideal sin ag a chliant ar dháta an dearbhuithe,
agus is urscaoileadh iomlán don Chumann ar na doiciméid an admháil, na dearbhuithe agus an gheallúint sin,
(f) ní bheidh aon ábhar caingin ná éileamh i gcoinne an Chumainn ag duine ar bith a éileos teideal a bheith aige chun doiciméad nó chun aon mhaoine lena mbainid, nó chun aon mhorgáiste, muirir nó liain i leith na ndoiciméad nó na maoine sin, mar gheall ar aon chaillteanas nó díobháil a tharla toisc an Cumann do ghlacadh seilbhe ar na doiciméid nó toisc an Cumann do sheachadadh na ndoiciméad do réir na míre seo,
(g) beidh lian ag an gCumann ar dhoiciméid i leith aon chostas agus caiteachas faoina raghaidh an Cumann i ndáil leis na doiciméid sin (lena n-áirítear, más iomchuí, na costais agus na caiteachais a bhainfeas le fiosrú éilimh ó aon duine a éileos teideal a bheith aige chun na ndoiciméad sin).
17. Más deimhin leis an gCumann beart mí-ionraicis a bheith déanta ag aturnae, féadfaid ordú d'iarraidh ar an Ard-Chúirt, agus féadfaidh an Ard-Chúirt ordú a dhéanamh, á ordú—
(a) nach ndéanfaidh aon chuideachta bhaincéireachta, gan cead na hArd-Chúirte, aon íocaíocht as cuntas baincéireachta in ainm an aturnae nó a ghnóluchta, nó
(b) nach ndéanfaidh cuideachta bhaincéireachta áirithe, gan cead na hArd-Chúirte, aon íocaíocht as cuntas baincéireachta a bheas á choimeád ag an gcuideachta sin in ainm an aturnae nó a ghnóluchta.
18. (1) Sa mhír seo—
ciallaíonn “an cumann comhréire” Dlí-Chumann Corpraithe Thuaisceart Éireann,
ciallaíonn “deimhniú comhréire” deimhniú d'eisigh an cumann comhréire agus atá ar comhréir le deimhniú cleachta,
ciallaíonn “cleachtóirí comhréire” daoine ag a bhfuil deimhnithe comhréire.
(2) I gcás ina gceanglaíonn scéim a oibríos an cumann comhréire ar chleachtóirí comhréire atá faoi rialú an chumainn sin ranníoc a dhéanamh le haon chiste nó polasaí árachais, nó aon pholasaí árachais a thógaint amach, chun cúiteamh nó slánaíocht a thabhairt do chliaint i leith nó i gcoinne caillteanais de dheasca na cleachtóirí sin, a gcléirigh nó a seirbhísigh, do dhéanamh cúblála, féadfaidh an Cumann comhshocraíochtaí agus comhaontuithe a dhéanamh leis an gcumann comhréire maidir le daoine a bhfuil teideal acu deimhnithe cleachta maraon le deimhnithe comhréire a thógaint amach, agus féadfar le haon chomhshocraíocht nó comhaontú den tsórt sin foráil a dhéanamh—
(a) chun go n-íocfaidh gach duine acu sin an t-aon chomhranníoc bliantúil amháin agus i dtaobh an mhodha ar a n-úsáidfear an comh-ranníoc chun críocha an Chiste agus chun críocha aon chiste nó polasaí árachais a bheas á chothabháil chun críocha na scéime sin,
(b) i dtaobh an mhodha ar a ndéileálfar le héilimh i leith cúblála ag aon duine acu sin, nó ag a chléireach nó a sheirbhíseach, agus an méid, más aon mhéid é, de na héilimh sin a íocfas an Cumann agus an cumann comhréire faoi seach,
(c) i dtaobh aon nithe iarmartacha nó teagmhasacha.
19. Féadfaidh rialacháin a déanfar le comhthoiliú an Phríomh-Bhreithimh—
(a) foráil a dhéanamh i dtaobh an nós imeachta (seachas nós imeachta cúirte) is inleanta chun éifeacht a thabhairt d'fhorála ailt 69 den Acht seo agus an Sceidil seo,
(b) forála a dhéanamh a bheas fo-ghabhálach le forála an Sceidil seo nó a bhainfeas lena bhforlíonadh,
(c) forála a dhéanamh a bhéarfas éifeacht d'aon comhsocraíocht nó comhaontú a déanfar de bhun míre 18 den Sceideal seo nó a bheas fo-ghabhálach leis sin nó a bhainfeas lena fhorlíonadh.
AN SEU SCEIDEAL.
Iarratais a bhFéadfar Táillí d'Fhorordú ina Leith.
1. Iarratas ar thoiliú an Chumainn chun dul faoi dhintiúirí.
2. Iarratas á iarraidh ar an gcláraitheoir dintiúirí príntíseachta a thaifeadadh.
3. Iarratas ar bheith i láthair ag aon scrúdú.
4. Iarratas ar chead chun freastal ar aon chúrsa léachtaí.
5. Iarratas ar chead chun fógra mall a thabhairt go bhfuiltear chun bheith i láthair ag aon scrúdú nó chun freastal ar aon chúrsa léachtaí.
6. Iarratas á iarraidh ainm a thaifeadadh ar rolla na n-aturnaethe.
7. Iarratas ar dheimhniú cleachta.
8. Iarratas faoi alt 21 den Acht seo ar chóip de thaifead i gComhad A nó i gComhad B.
Number 36 of 1954.
SOLICITORS ACT, 1954.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General.
Section | |
The Registrar of Solicitors and the Roll of Solicitors.
Limitation of time for certain applications to strike off roll. | |
The Disciplinary Committee.
Qualifying for Admission as Solicitor.
Practising Certificates.
Suspension of practising certificate on adjudication in bankruptcy. | |
Practice.
Accounts for Solicitors.
The Compensation Fund.
Professional Practice, Conduct and Discipline.
Regulations for professional practice, conduct and discipline. |
Miscellaneous.
Acts Referred to | |
No. 38 of 1937 | |
No. 16 of 1929 | |
Number 36 of 1954.
SOLICITORS ACT, 1954.
PART I.
Preliminary and General.
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Solicitors Act, 1954.
Commencement.
2.—This Act shall come into operation as follows:
(a) the portions of the Act relating to the making of regulations and rules and to the issue of notices and other proceedings preliminary to holding examinations shall come into operation on the passing of the Act,
(b) section 44 of this Act shall come into operation as provided for in that section,
(c) the remainder of the Act shall come into operation on the 6th day of January, 1955.
Interpretation.
3.—(1) In this Act—
“the Council” means the Council of the Society;
“the Disciplinary Committee” has the meaning assigned to it in section 13;
“functions” includes powers and duties;
“practice year” means any year ending on the 5th day of January;
“practising certificate” has the meaning assigned to it in section 46;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Society;
“the register of practising solicitors” has the meaning assigned to it in section 47;
“registrar” has the meaning assigned to it in section 8;
“the roll” has the meaning assigned to it in section 9;
“the Society” means the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland;
“solicitor” means a solicitor of the Courts of Justice;
“solicitor in the full-time service of the State” has the meaning assigned to it in subsection (3) of section 54;
“solicitor qualified to practise” has the meaning assigned to it in subsection (1) of section 54;
“trust” and “trustee” extend to implied or constructive trusts and to cases where the trustee has a beneficial interest in the trust property, and to the duties incident to the office of a personal representative, and “trustee”, where the context admits, includes a personal representative;
“unqualified person” means—
(a) a solicitor who is not a solicitor qualified to practise, or
(b) a person who is not a solicitor.
(2) A reference in this Act to performance of functions includes, as respects powers, a reference to exercise of those powers.
(3) A reference in this Act to contravention of a provision includes, where appropriate, a reference to refusal or failure to comply with that provision.
(4) A reference in this Act to the Chief Justice shall, where the function in question stands delegated under section 6 of this Act to a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court, be construed as a reference to that judge.
Performance of functions of Society.
4.—The functions vested in the Society by or under this Act shall be performed by the Council.
Regulations generally.
5.—(1) The Society may make regulations in relation to any matter or thing referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed or as being the subject of regulations.
(2) The Society may make regulations for the purpose of the execution of the provisions of this Act.
(3) Every regulation made under this Act shall be laid by the Society before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made.
Delegation by Chief Justice.
6.—(1) The Chief Justice may delegate any of his functions under this Act to any judge of the Supreme Court or High Court.
(2) The Chief Justice may revoke any delegation which he has made under subsection (1) of this section.
Repeals.
7.—(1) The enactments mentioned in the First Schedule to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
(2) A reference in a document to an Act or portion of an Act repealed by this Act shall be construed as a reference to this Act or the corresponding portion of this Act and a register, roll or list under an Act repealed by this Act shall be deemed part of the corresponding register, roll or list under this Act.
(3) Nothing in this Act shall affect the general application of the Interpretation Act, 1937 (No. 38 of 1937), with regard to the effect of repeals.
PART II.
The Registrar of Solicitors and the Roll of Solicitors.
Registrar of solicitors.
8.—(1) There shall be a registrar of solicitors (in this Act referred to as the registrar).
(2) The Society shall appoint their secretary or some other suitable person to be the registrar.
(3) The registrar shall be appointed on such terms and conditions, and with such emoluments (if any) payable out of the funds of the Society, as the Society determines.
(4) The Society may remove the registrar from office.
(5) The Society may appoint a deputy to act as the registrar for a period and the functions of the registrar shall be performed by the deputy during that period.
Roll of solicitors.
9.—(1) The registrar shall maintain an alphabetical list of solicitors (in this Act referred to as the roll).
(2) The registrar shall keep the roll available for public inspection during office hours without payment.
Admission and enrolment.
10.—(1) A person who has fulfilled such of the requirements of Part IV of this Act as apply in relation to him may apply to the Chief Justice to be admitted as a solicitor.
(2) On receiving an application in accordance with subsection (1) of this section, the Chief Justice, unless cause to the contrary is shown to his satisfaction, shall, by instrument in writing, admit the applicant as a solicitor.
(3) A person admitted as a solicitor may apply to the registrar to have his name entered on the roll and the registrar, on production of the instrument by which he was admitted, shall enter the name of such person on the roll.
Limitation of time for certain applications to strike off roll.
11.—(1) A solicitor shall not be liable to have his name struck off the roll on account of a defect in his indentures of apprenticeship, or in the registration thereof or his service thereunder, or in his admission and enrolment, unless the application to strike his name off the roll is made within twelve months after the date of his enrolment.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply where fraud is proved to have been committed in connection with the indentures, registration, service, admission or enrolment.
Notification of death.
12.—A registrar of deaths shall, where an entry is made in the register of deaths concerning a person whose name is on the roll, forthwith send by post to the registrar a certified copy of the entry, and may charge the cost of the certificate and of the sending thereof to the registrar as an expense of his office of registrar of deaths.
PART III.
The Disciplinary Committee.
Disciplinary Committee.
13.—(1) The Society shall appoint annually, from among members of the Council and such former members of the Council as are practising as solicitors, a disciplinary committee (in this Act referred to as the Disciplinary Committee) consisting of not less than seven and not more than ten persons.
(2) The Society may remove a member of the Disciplinary Committee, may fill a vacancy therein and, subject to the limits stated in subsection (1) of this section, may increase or reduce the number of persons thereon.
(3) The members of the Disciplinary Committee shall go out of office on their successors being appointed under subsection (1) of this section, but any such member shall be eligible for reappointment.
(4) The Disciplinary Committee may act notwithstanding one or more than one vacancy in their membership.
(5) The quorum of the Disciplinary Committee shall be five.
(6) An appointment or removal under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall not be made save with the approval of the Chief Justice.
Applications to Disciplinary Committee.
14.—(1) The following applications shall be made to the Disciplinary Committee:
(a) an application by a solicitor to procure the removal of his name from the roll,
(b) an application by another person or the Society to strike the name of a solicitor off the roll on any of the following grounds:
(i) that the solicitor has been guilty of misconduct, including conduct tending to bring the solicitors' profession into disrepute,
(ii) that the solicitor has contravened a provision of this Act or of an order or regulation made under this Act,
(iii) that the solicitor has been convicted of treason or of a felony or misdemeanour or has been convicted outside the State of a crime or offence which would be a felony or misdemeanour if committed in the State,
(c) an application to require a solicitor to answer allegations contained in an affidavit,
(d) an application for replacement on the roll of a name which has been removed from or struck off the roll.
(2) An application under this section shall be in writing, shall be signed by the applicant and shall be sent to the Disciplinary Committee together with—
(a) an affidavit by the applicant setting forth the matters relied on in support of the application, and
(b) the documents relied on in support of the application or copies of those documents.
(3) The Chief Justice or any judge of the High Court may, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, exercise any jurisdiction over solicitors which he might have exercised if this Act had not been passed.
Procedure where solicitor applies for removal of his name from roll.
15.—Where an application under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 14 of this Act is duly made, the Disciplinary Committee shall consider the application and supporting affidavit and documents and—
(a) if they decide that the applicant is entitled to have his name removed from the roll without further inquiry, they shall order accordingly,
(b) if they decide that there is cause for inquiry, they shall hold an inquiry.
Procedure where charge is made against solicitor.
16.—(1) Where an application under paragraph (b) or (c) of subsection (1) of section 14 of this Act is duly made, the Disciplinary Committee shall consider the application and supporting affidavit and documents and—
(a) if they decide that a prima facie case has not been shown, they shall so notify the applicant and the solicitor and shall take no further action,
(b) if they decide that a prima facie case has been shown, they shall serve on the solicitor—
(i) a copy of the application,
(ii) a copy of the affidavit,
(iii) copies of the documents or, at the discretion of the registrar, a list of the documents, and
(iv) a notice requiring the solicitor to send to the Disciplinary Committee, within a specified period, an affidavit by him in answer to the application, together with any documents, or copies thereof, which he relies on in support of his answer.
(2) Where a notice under subsection (1) of this section is served, either party may inspect the documents furnished by the other.
(3) After the expiration of the period specified in a notice under subsection (1) of this section, the Disciplinary Committee shall consider the application and the supporting affidavit and documents and such (if any) affidavit and documents as have been furnished by the solicitor and—
(a) if they decide that there is no cause for further inquiry, they shall so notify the applicant and the solicitor and shall take no further action,
(b) if they decide that there is cause for inquiry, they shall hold an inquiry.
(4) Where an applicant has been notified under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) or paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of this section, the Disciplinary Committee shall, if so required by the applicant, make a formal order embodying their decision.
Procedure where application is made for replacement on roll.
17.—Where an application under paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section 14 of this Act is duly made, the Disciplinary Committee shall consider the application and supporting affidavit and documents and shall by order either refuse the application or direct that the name in question be replaced on the roll.
Orders by Disciplinary Committee on inquiry.
18.—(1) Where the Disciplinary Committee hold an inquiry, they may make an order providing for one or more of the following:
(a) the dismissal of the application,
(b) the admonishment of the solicitor,
(c) the suspension of the solicitor from practice,
(d) the removal from or striking off the roll of the name of the solicitor,
(e) the payment by any party to the inquiry of costs, or of a stated sum as a contribution towards costs,
(f) the making by the solicitor of such restitution or satisfaction to any aggrieved party as the Disciplinary Committee think fit.
(2) The Disciplinary Committee may postpone the making of an order under this section.
(3) Where the making of an order under this section is postponed, the Disciplinary Committee may, on request made to them in that behalf when the matter is considered after the postponement, allow the application to be withdrawn without any order being made under this section.
(4) The Disciplinary Committee may, on the application of the solicitor to whom an order under this section relates, suspend the operation of the order pending an appeal under subsection (1) of section 23 of this Act.
(5) An order under this section shall not, while suspended, be filed or enforceable under subsection (1) of section 21 of this Act.
Powers of Disciplinary Committee as to taking evidence etc.
19.—(1) The Disciplinary Committee shall, on an inquiry held by them, have the powers, rights and privileges, vested in the High Court or a judge thereof on the occasion of an action, in respect of—
(a) the enforcement of the attendance of witnesses and their examination on oath or otherwise, and
(b) the compelling of the production of documents,
and a summons signed by a member of the Disciplinary Committee may be substituted for and shall be equivalent to any formal process capable of being issued in an action for enforcing the attendance of witnesses and compelling the production of documents.
(2) Where the Disciplinary Committee hold an inquiry and a person—
(a) on being duly summoned as a witness at the inquiry makes default in attending,
(b) being in attendance as a witness at the inquiry refuses to take an oath legally required by the Disciplinary Committee to be taken, or to produce any document in his power or control legally required by the Disciplinary Committee to be produced by him or to answer any question to which the Disciplinary Committee may legally require an answer, or
(c) does any other thing which, if the Disciplinary Committee were a court of law having power to commit for contempt, would be contempt of the court,
the offence of that person may, by certificate signed by two members of the Disciplinary Committee, be certified to the High Court and the High Court may thereupon inquire into the alleged offence and, after hearing any witnesses who may be produced against or on behalf of the person charged with the offence and any statement that may be offered in defence, punish or take steps for the punishment of that person in like manner as if he had been guilty of contempt of the High Court.
(3) A witness at an inquiry held by the Disciplinary Committee shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he were a witness before the High Court.
Rules regulating applications to Disciplinary Committee and inquiries.
20.—(1) The Disciplinary Committee, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice, may make rules regulating applications to the Disciplinary Committee and the hearing, conduct and determination of such applications and of inquiries held by the Disciplinary Committee.
(2) Rules under this section may provide, in particular, for extending the period for the furnishing of any affidavit or document, or for receiving an application or affidavit notwithstanding any irregularity in its form, where it appears to the Disciplinary Committee to be just to do so.
(3) Rules under this section may provide for award of costs and for taxation thereof by a Taxing Master of the High Court (subject to appeal to the High Court) under the scale of costs applicable to High Court proceedings, and any costs so taxed shall be recoverable as if they had been taxed under an order of the High Court.
Filing, effect and notice of order made by Disciplinary Committee.
21.—(1) An order made by the Disciplinary Committee shall contain a statement of their findings and shall be signed by two of their members and filed with the registrar, and as soon as it has been so filed shall be acted upon by the registrar and be enforceable as if it were a judgement or order of the High Court.
(2) Where, by an order made by the Disciplinary Committee, the name of a solicitor is ordered to be removed from or struck off the roll or a solicitor is suspended from practice, the registrar shall, unless the Disciplinary Committee otherwise direct, forthwith cause a notice stating the effect of the operative part of the order to be published in Iris Oifigiúil and shall also cause the notice to be published in such other manner as the Disciplinary Committee may direct.
(3) The registrar shall maintain separate files on which all orders made by the Disciplinary Committee shall be entered in the following manner:
(a) on a file to be termed File A, there shall be entered, in alphabetical order of the names of the solicitors concerned, each order directing that the name of a solicitor is to be removed from or struck off the roll or that a solicitor be suspended from practice,
(b) on a file to be termed File B, there shall be entered, in order of date, all other orders.
(4) On receipt of a copy of an order made on an appeal under section 23 of this Act, the registrar shall enter the order on File A or File B (as may be appropriate).
(5) The registrar shall furnish a copy of an entry on File A or File B to a person who applies in writing for such copy.
(6) Notwithstanding subsection (5) of this section, where—
(a) application is made for a copy of an entry on File B, being an entry under a date which is earlier than two years before the date of the application, or
(b) application is made for a copy of an entry on File A or File B, being an entry as respects which the Disciplinary Committee have directed the insertion of a note that the furnishing of a copy thereof might cause injustice,
a copy of the entry shall (save where the copy is furnished under an order of a court) be furnished only by permission in writing of the Society.
Application of Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879.
22.—An application to or an inquiry or other proceeding before the Disciplinary Committee shall be a legal proceeding within the meaning of that expression as used in the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879.
Appeal against order of Disciplinary Committee.
23.—(1) An appeal against an order made by the Disciplinary Committee shall lie to the Chief Justice at the instance either of the applicant to the Disciplinary Committee or of the solicitor to whom the order relates.
(2) An appeal shall also lie to the Chief Justice against the refusal of the Disciplinary Committee to suspend the operation of an order under section 18.
(3) The Society shall be entitled to appear and to be heard upon the hearing of an appeal under this section.
(4) A copy of an order made on an appeal under this section shall be sent to the registrar.
PART IV.
Qualifying for Admission as Solicitor.
Requirements for admission as solicitor.
24.—Subject to this Part of this Act, a person shall not be admitted as a solicitor unless—
(a) he has attained the age of 21 years,
(b) he has been bound by indentures of apprenticeship to serve as an apprentice to a practising solicitor for the appropriate term and has satisfied the Society that he has duly served under such indentures,
(c) he has obtained from the Society a certificate or certificates certifying that he has passed the appropriate prescribed examinations, and
(d) he has complied with any prescribed requirements as to service under indentures of apprenticeship and admission of persons to be solicitors or compliance therewith has been waived by the Society.
Requirements for admission to apprenticeship.
25.—Subject to this Part of this Act, a person shall not be capable of being bound by indentures of apprenticeship to serve as an apprentice to a solicitor unless—
(a) he has attained the age of 17 years,
(b) he has obtained from the Society a certificate or certificates certifying that he has passed the appropriate prescribed examinations,
(c) he has obtained the consent of the Society provided for by section 27 of this Act, and
(d) he has fulfilled any prescribed requirements as to admission to apprenticeship or compliance therewith has been waived by the Society.
Term of indentures.
26.—The term of indentures of apprenticeship to a practising solicitor shall be determined in accordance with the provisions contained in the Second Schedule to this Act.
Evidence of good character.
27.—(1) Not less than six weeks 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 the prescribed evidence of his character.
(2) Where the Society are satisfied with the evidence furnished pursuant to this section by a person and with the information obtained from any inquiries that they think proper to make, they shall issue their written consent to the entry of such person into indentures of apprenticeship.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
Registration of indentures.
28.—(1) Indentures of apprenticeship shall be produced to the registrar for registration and the registrar, on being satisfied by statutory declaration or such other evidence as he considers sufficient of the due execution of the indentures, shall enter in a register the names and addresses of the parties to the indentures, the date thereof and the date of the making of the entry.
(2) The register under this section shall be kept available for public inspection during office hours without payment.
(3) Where the indentures of apprenticeship of an apprentice are not produced to the registrar for registration within six months from the date thereof, the service of the apprentice shall, unless the Society otherwise direct, be reckoned as commencing only upon the date of the production of the indentures.
(4) The provisions of this section with respect to the production and entry of indentures shall apply in the case of fresh indentures, and in the case of an assignment or transfer of indentures under section 32 or under an order under section 34 or 35 of this Act, in the same manner as they apply in the case of original indentures.
Restriction on solicitor taking or retaining apprentice.
29.—(1) A solicitor shall not take any apprentice after such solicitor has ceased to practise or to be a solicitor qualified to practise, or while such solicitor is employed as an assistant or clerk by another solicitor.
(2) A solicitor who has not at some time been in continuous practice as a solicitor for a period of seven years shall not, without special leave of the Society, take any apprentice.
(3) Regulations may restrict the taking of apprentices by solicitors who are in the whole time employment of bodies corporate.
(4) Where a solicitor who is retaining an apprentice ceases to practise or to be a solicitor qualified to practise or becomes employed as an assistant or clerk to another solicitor, he shall not retain the apprentice for longer than six months thereafter.
(5) Service by an apprentice to a solicitor who has taken him in contravention of subsection (1), subsection (2) or regulations made for the purposes of subsection (3) of this section or service by an apprentice to a solicitor during any period when such solicitor retained him in contravention of subsection (4) of this section shall, unless the Society direct otherwise, be deemed not to be good service by the apprentice under his indentures of apprenticeship.
Saver for service of apprentice where solicitor disqualified.
30.—A person shall not be disqualified for admission as a solicitor or be liable to be struck off the roll—
(a) by reason of a solicitor, whom he served under indentures of apprenticeship for the whole or part of the term required by this Act, having neglected or omitted to take out a practising certificate, or
(b) by reason of a solicitor to whom he was bound by indentures of apprenticeship ceasing, after the termination of the period for which he was bound, to be a solicitor qualified to practise.
Prohibition on taking of apprentice.
31.—(1) In a case in which the Society have directed, or have power to direct, the registrar to refuse the application of a solicitor for a practising certificate, they may, by notice in writing served on the solicitor, prohibit him from taking any apprentice, and thereupon the solicitor shall not take any apprentice unless and until the Society withdraw the prohibition.
(2) Service by an apprentice to a solicitor who has taken him in contravention of a prohibition in force under this section shall, unless the Society direct otherwise, be deemed not to be good service by the apprentice under his indentures.
(3) Where under this section the Society prohibit a solicitor from taking any apprentice, they may, of their own motion, by order, discharge the indentures of any apprentice then already apprenticed to that solicitor upon such terms, including terms as to return of premium, as they think fit, and determine what period (if any) of service by the apprentice under the indentures shall be deemed good service.
Assignment of indentures or fresh indentures on death of solicitor, etc.
32.—Where, before the expiration of the term for which an apprentice is bound—
(a) the solicitor dies or ceases to practise as a solicitor,
(b) the indentures of apprenticeship are cancelled by mutual consent, or
(c) the indentures of apprenticeship are discharged by virtue of an order of the Society or of any court or otherwise,
the apprentice may be bound by an assignment of the indentures, or by fresh indentures, to another solicitor for the residue of the said term.
General power to discharge indentures.
33.—Where the Society are satisfied, on the application either of the solicitor or the apprentice, that indentures of apprenticeship ought to be discharged, they may by order discharge the indentures on such terms, including terms as to return of premium, as they chink fit, and determine what period (if any) of service by the apprentice under the indentures shall be deemed good service.
Discharge or assignment of indentures on removal from roll, etc.
34.—(1) Where, before the expiration of the term for which an apprentice is bound, the solicitor—
(a) is removed from or struck off the roll,
(b) becomes bankrupt,
(c) is imprisoned and remains in prison for a period of or exceeding twenty-one days,
(d) becomes of unsound mind, or
(e) has been absent from the State for a period exceeding six months, or for two or more periods which were within twelve consecutive months and exceeded in the aggregate six months, without the consent of the Society or without complying with such terms and conditions as the Society may have fixed in relation to such absence,
the Society, on the application of the apprentice, may by order discharge the indentures of apprenticeship or, with the consent of another solicitor, by order direct that they shall be assigned to that solicitor on such terms and in such manner as the Society think fit.
(2) Nothing in this section shall affect any power of a court in relation to indentures of apprenticeship.
Order transferring indentures.
35.—Where—
(a) an apprentice to a solicitor requires an assignment of his indentures of apprenticeship to be made under section 32 or under an order under section 34 of this Act, and
(b) the Society, on the application of the apprentice, are satisfied that a difficulty exists in procuring the execution of the assignment,
the Society may, with the consent of another solicitor, by order transfer the indentures of apprenticeship to that solicitor.
Number of apprentices.
36.—(1) A solicitor shall not have more than one apprentice at the same time.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a solicitor may have two apprentices at the same time under a written consent of the Society, but the Society shall not grant any such consent except in special circumstances. Such consent shall not be withheld where the two apprentices are the children of the solicitor or where the second apprentice is the child of the solicitor and the first apprentice has been apprenticed with the solicitor for not less than two years.
Obligation to serve bona fide apprenticeship.
37.—An apprentice shall, during the whole term of his indentures, serve a bona fide apprenticeship to the solicitor to whom he is bound.
Holding of office or engaging in employment during apprenticeship.
38.—(1) An apprentice shall not hold any office or engage in any employment other than employment under his apprenticeship unless, before doing so, he obtains the consent in writing of the solicitor to whom he is bound and the consent of the Society.
(2) The following provisions shall have effect with respect to a consent by the Society for the purposes of this section:
(a) the consent shall be by order of the Society,
(b) before making the order, the Society shall be satisfied that the holding of the office or the engagement in the employment will not prejudice the applicant's work as an apprentice,
(c) the order may impose on the applicant such terms and conditions regarding the office or employment and the applicant's service as an apprentice as the Society think fit,
(d) where terms or conditions are so imposed, the applicant shall, before being admitted as a solicitor, satisfy the Society that he has fulfilled those terms or conditions.
Relief against irregularity with respect to service of apprentice.
39.—(1) The Society may grant relief to an apprentice against an irregularity with respect to his service under indentures of apprenticeship to such extent and on such terms as the Society think fit.
(2) In this section, the word “irregularity” includes a contravention of a provision made by or under this or any other Act.
Education and examinations.
40.—(1) The Society may—
(a) provide educational facilities, including lectures, classes and other teaching,
(b) hold examinations,
(c) appoint professors, lecturers and examiners.
(2) Provision may be made by regulations for ascertaining—
(a) the fitness and capacity of solicitors proposing to take apprentices to teach such apprentices,
(b) the progress made by apprentices in acquiring knowledge of the theory and practice of the law.
(3) Regulations for the purposes of this section shall provide—
(a) for the holding by the Society at least once in every year of—
(i) a first examination in the Irish language, that is to say, an examination in that language of persons seeking to be bound under indentures of apprenticeship, and
(ii) a second examination in the Irish language, that is to say, an examination in that language of persons seeking to be admitted as solicitors,
(b) for both of such examinations being obligatory except for persons who were over the age of fifteen years on the 1st day of October, 1929,
(c) for such second examination being so conducted and of such nature as to secure that persons who pass it have a competent knowledge of the Irish language, that is to say, such a degree of oral and written proficiency in the use of the language as is sufficient to enable a solicitor efficiently to receive instructions, to advise clients, to examine witnesses and to follow proceedings in the Irish language,
(d) for requiring that such second examination shall be passed within two years before the expiration of the term of apprenticeship or within two years before admission as a solicitor.
(4) Regulations for the purposes of this section shall provide for the holding by the Society at least once in every year of—
(a) a preliminary examination, that is to say, an examination of persons seeking to be bound under indentures of apprenticeship, and
(b) a final examination, that is to say, an examination of persons seeking to be admitted as solicitors, which may be divided, if the Society so think fit, into two or more parts.
(5) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing subsections, regulations for the purposes of this section may provide for—
(a) the holding by the Society, in addition to the examinations mentioned in the foregoing subsections, of other examinations to ascertain the progress of apprentices and of persons seeking to be admitted as solicitors,
(b) restricting the taking of apprentices to solicitors whose fitness and capacity to teach apprentices is satisfactory,
(c) attendance of apprentices or intending apprentices at lectures, classes, debates and other teaching or training, whether provided by the Society or otherwise, and the course of study and training to be followed by those persons,
(d) times when candidates will be eligible to take examinations,
(e) subjects for and the mode of conducting examinations,
(f) standards of efficiency to be obtained at examinations,
(g) times, places and notices of examinations,
(h) certificates of having passed examinations,
(i) the control and discipline of apprentices,
(j) the exemption, subject to this Act, from examinations in whole or in part of persons who produce satisfactory evidence that they have acquired special qualifications.
(6) A person shall not be appointed under this section as examiner in the Irish language save with the approval of the Minister for Education.
General exemption from preliminary examination.
41.—A certificate of his having passed the preliminary examination of the Society shall not be required—
(a) from a person to whom paragraph 1 or 4 of the Second Schedule to this Act applies, or
(b) from a person who has passed an examination declared by regulations to be equivalent to the preliminary examination of the Society.
Special exemption from preliminary examination.
42.—The Society may, in special circumstances, exempt a person from the preliminary examination of the Society, or any part thereof, either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as they think fit.
Exemptions for practising barrister of five years' standing.
43.—(1) This section applies to a person—
(a) who proposes to become a solicitor,
(b) who has been called to the bar and practised continuously as a barrister for five years or longer during the ten years ending on the date of the final examination of the Society for which he proposes to sit,
(c) who has procured himself to be disbarred with a view to becoming a solicitor, and
(d) who has obtained from two of the Benchers of the Honourable Society of the King's Inns, Dublin, a certificate, dated not earlier than six months before the date of the said final examination, of his being a fit and proper person to practise as a solicitor.
(2) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to a person to whom this section applies:
(a) he shall not be required to obtain a certificate of his having passed any examination of the Society other than the final examination and (if obligatory on him) the second examination in the Irish language,
(b) he shall be entitled, without being bound or serving as an apprentice to a solicitor, to apply to present himself for the final examination,
(c) on passing the final examination (except so much of that examination as relates to indentures of apprenticeship and service thereunder) and (if obligatory on him) the second examination in the Irish language, he shall be entitled to apply to be admitted and enrolled as a solicitor.
Exemptions (reciprocal provisions.).
44.—(1) In this section “corresponding certificate” means a certificate issued by the Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland and corresponding to a practising certificate.
(2) This section applies to a person—
(a) who proposes to become a solicitor, and
(b) who, during a continuous period of three years or longer, has held corresponding certificates.
(3) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to a person to whom this section applies:—
(a) he shall not be required to obtain a certificate of his having passed any examination of the Society other than an examination to ascertain whether he has an adequate knowledge of the legislation in force in the State and (if obligatory on him) the second examination in the Irish language;
(b) in order to present himself for the examination to ascertain whether he has an adequate knowledge of the legislation in force in the State, it shall be necessary for him to be the holder of a corresponding certificate, but he shall be entitled to present himself for that examination without being bound or serving as an apprentice;
(c) on passing that examination and (if obligatory on him) the second examination in the Irish language, he shall be entitled to apply to be admitted and enrolled as a solicitor.
(4) The Government may by order appoint a day for the coming into operation of the provisions of this section, being a day on which the Government are satisfied that reciprocal provisions will be in operation in relation to solicitors holding practising certificates.
Appeals under Part IV.
45.—An appeal shall lie to the Chief Justice in the case of the exercise or refusal of exercise of a power conferred on the Society by subsection (3) of section 28, subsection (5) of section 29, subsection (2) or (3) of section 31, section 33, subsection (1) of section 34, section 35, section 38, section 39 or section 42 of this Act.
PART V.
Practising Certificates.
Issue of practising certificates.
46.—The registrar shall issue in accordance with this Part of this Act certificates (in this Act referred to as practising certificates) certifying that the solicitors named therein are entitled to practise as solicitors.
Application for practising certificate.
47.—(1) A solicitor applying for a practising certificate shall, in person or by his agent, deliver to the registrar a declaration which—
(a) shall be in the form set out in the Third Schedule to this Act or in a form to the like effect approved of by the Society, and
(b) shall be completed and signed by the applicant personally.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the registrar, on the ground of illness or absence abroad of the applicant or on any other ground considered by the registrar sufficient, may, either unconditionally or subject to conditions, dispense with signature of a declaration under this section by the applicant personally and may accept a declaration in a form to the like effect which has been completed and signed by a partner of the applicant or by some other person approved of by the registrar.
(3) The registrar shall enter in a register (in this Act referred to as the register of practising solicitors) the following particulars contained in a declaration under this section, that is to say:
(a) the full name of the solicitor,
(b) his place or places of business, and
(c) the date of his admission.
(4) The register of practising solicitors shall be kept available for public inspection during office hours without payment.
(5) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the registrar, if satisfied that the name of an applicant under this section is on the roll, shall, within fourteen days after the delivery to him of the declaration, deliver to the applicant or his authorised agent on demand a practising certificate in the form set out in the Fourth Schedule to this Act or in a form to the like effect.
(6) Where the registrar wrongly refuses or neglects to issue a practising certificate, the applicant may apply to the Chief Justice for relief and the Chief Justice may make such order in the matter as he considers just.
Date and period of validity of practising certificate.
48.—(1) A practising certificate issued during the period beginning on the 6th day of January in any year and ending on the next following 5th day of February shall bear the date of the said 6th day of January and a practising certificate not so issued shall bear the date of the day on which it is issued.
(2) A practising certificate shall, subject to subsection (3) of this section, be in force as on and from the day of which it bears the date.
(3) The Chief Justice may, on application made to him in that behalf, direct that, on payment by the applicant to the Society of such amount as may be fixed by the Chief Justice, a practising certificate which bears a date later than the 5th day of February in any practice year shall, either unconditionally or subject to specified conditions, be in force as on and from a specified date which is earlier than the date borne by the certificate and not earlier than the first day of that practice year.
(4) The Society shall be entitled to appear and to be heard upon the hearing of an application under subsection (3) of this section and the registrar shall be notified of the result of the application.
(5) The registrar shall enter in the register of practising solicitors a note of the date borne by a practising certificate and, where the Chief Justice directs that the certificate shall be in force as on and from a date earlier than the date borne by the certificate, a note of the earlier date.
(6) A practising certificate which is in force shall continue in force until the end of the practice year during which it was issued and shall then expire.
Direction to refuse practising certificate.
49.—(1) This section applies to the following cases where a solicitor applies for a practising certificate:
(a) having, for twelve months or more, ceased to hold a practising certificate in force (exclusive of cases in which the applicant has practised as a solicitor in the full-time service of the State within twelve months before his application),
(b) having been suspended from practice, the period of the suspension has expired,
(c) having been struck off the roll, his name has been restored thereto,
(d) not having held a practising certificate in force within twelve months following the date of his admission to the roll,
(e) being a person in respect of whose person or property any of the powers and provisions of the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871, or any Act amending or extending that Act, relating to management and administration of property apply,
(f) having an office or place of business in more than one place at any one time (disregarding, where he has a Dublin agent, the office or place of business of such agent) and having been invited by the Society to satisfy them that he exercises adequate personal supervision over each office or place of business, he has failed to satisfy the Society as aforesaid and has been notified in writing by the Society that he has so failed,
(g) having been invited by the Society to give an explanation in respect of any matter affecting his conduct, he has failed to give to the Society an explanation in respect of that matter which the Society regard as sufficient and satisfactory, and has been notified in writing by the Society that he has so failed,
(h) an order of attachment having been made against him,
(i) a judgment or decree having been given against him which—
(i) involves the payment of moneys other than costs, and
(ii) is not a judgment or decree in relation to which he is entitled, as respects the whole effect of the judgment or decree upon him, to indemnity or relief from any other person, he has not produced to the registrar evidence of the satisfaction of such judgment or decree,
(j) having been adjudicated a bankrupt,
(k) having entered into a composition with his creditors or a deed of arrangement for the benefit of his creditors,
(l) having contravened an order of the Disciplinary Committee directing any payment to be made by him.
(2) Where a solicitor applies for a practising certificate in a case to which this section applies—
(a) he shall, unless the Society otherwise order, give to the registrar, at least three weeks before the application is made, notice of his intention to make the application,
(b) the Society may direct the registrar—
(i) to refuse to issue a certificate,
(ii) to issue a certificate unconditionally, or
(iii) to issue a certificate subject to such terms and conditions as the Society think fit,
(c) if the Society direct the registrar to refuse to issue a certificate or to issue a certificate subject to terms and conditions, the solicitor shall be notified in writing of the direction and the grounds on which it was given.
(3) Where—
(a) the Society have directed the registrar under subsection (2) of this section to refuse to issue a practising certificate, and
(b) the applicant satisfies the Society that he has appealed to the Chief Justice under subsection (5) of this section against the direction,
the following provisions shall have effect:
(i) the Society, notwithstanding that they have already given the direction, shall cause the registrar to issue a practising certificate to the applicant and
(ii) if at any time the Society satisfy the Chief Justice that the applicant has delayed unduly in proceeding with his appeal, the Chief Justice may dismiss the appeal and suspend the practising certificate.
(4) Where, in a case referred to in paragraph (h) or paragraph (i) of subsection (1) of this section, an appeal has been made to the appropriate court against the order of attachment, judgment or decree (as the case may be), the application for a practising certificate shall not be refused pending the determination of the appeal unless, in the opinion of the Society, the proceedings on the appeal have been unduly protracted by the appellant.
(5) Within one month after being notified of a direction of the Society under subsection (2) of this section, the applicant may appeal against the direction to refuse or against the terms and conditions (as the case may be) to the Chief Justice, and the Chief Justice may—
(a) in case the appeal is against a direction to refuse—
(i) refuse the appeal and suspend any practising certificate already issued, or
(ii) discharge the direction without giving any direction as to any practising certificate already issued or to be issued, or
(iii) discharge the direction and direct that any practising certificate already issued, or any practising certificate to be issued, shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Chief Justice considers proper, or
(b) in case the appeal is against terms and conditions, refuse the appeal or vary or discharge the terms and conditions.
(6) A suspension under subsection (5) of this section of a practising certificate shall continue until the certificate expires.
(7) The registrar shall cause a note of a suspension under subsection (5) of this section of a practising certificate to be entered against the name of the solicitor in the register of practising solicitors.
(8) Where, having regard to the facts of a case to which this section applies—
(a) the Society have directed the registrar under subsection (2) of this section to issue a practising certificate unconditionally, or
(b) the Chief Justice, on an appeal under subsection (5) of this section, discharges a direction to refuse a practising certificate without giving any direction as to any practising certificate already issued or to be issued or discharges terms or conditions,
this section shall cease to apply to the case by reason of those facts.
Suspension of practising certificate on adjudication in bankruptcy.
50.—(1) Adjudication in bankruptcy of a solicitor shall operate immediately to suspend his practising certificate (if any) until—
(a) the certificate expires, or
(b) the adjudication in bankruptcy is annulled and an office copy of the order annulling the adjudication is served on the registrar, or
(c) the suspension is terminated by order under section 51 of this Act,
whichever first occurs.
(2) The registrar shall cause a note of the suspension under this section of a practising certificate to be entered against the name of the solicitor in the register of practising solicitors.
Termination of suspension of practising certificate.
51.—(1) Where a practising certificate is suspended by virtue of section 50 of this Act, the solicitor may, at any time before the certificate expires and the adjudication in bankruptcy is annulled, apply to the Society to terminate the suspension and the Society may by order terminate the suspension unconditionally or subject to such terms and conditions as they think fit or refuse the application.
(2) Where the Society, on an application under subsection (1) of this section, refuse the application or terminate the suspension subject to any terms or conditions, the solicitor may appeal to the Chief Justice, and the Chief Justice may terminate the suspension unconditionally or subject to such terms and conditions as he thinks fit, vary any terms or conditions to which the termination of the suspension has been made subject or refuse the appeal.
(3) Where the suspension of the practising certificate of a solicitor is terminated by annulment of the adjudication in bankruptcy of the solicitor and service on the registrar of an office copy of the order annulling the adjudication, or by order of the Society or the Chief Justice under this section, the registrar shall forthwith cause a note of the termination of the suspension to be entered against the name of the solicitor in the register of practising solicitors and, if so requested in writing by the solicitor, cause a notice thereof to be published, at the expense of the solicitor, in Iris Oifigiúil.
Effect of suspension of practising certificate.
52.—So long as the suspension of a practising certificate continues, the certificate shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, be regarded for the purposes of section 54 of this Act as being not in force.
Evidence of holding or not holding practising certificate.
53.—(1) A list purporting to be published by the authority of the Society and to contain the names of the solicitors who have obtained practising certificates for the current practice year before the 6th day of February in that year shall, until the contrary is proved, be evidence that the persons named on the list are solicitors holding those certificates.
(2) The absence from a list referred to in subsection (1) of this section of the name of a person shall, until the contrary is proved, be evidence that that person is not the holder of a practising certificate for the current practice year, but in the case of any such person, a document, purporting to be an extract from the register of practising solicitors and to be certified as correct by the registrar shall be evidence of the facts appearing in the extract.
PART VI.
Practice.
Qualifications for acting as solicitor.
54.—(1) A solicitor who has the qualifications specified in subsection (2) of this section may act as a solicitor and is referred to in this Act as a solicitor qualified to practise.
(2) The qualifications referred to in subsection (1) of this section are:—
(a) that the name of the solicitor is on the roll;
(b) that he does not stand suspended from practice; and
(c) that either he is a solicitor in the full-time service of the State or a practising certificate in respect of him is in force.
(3) A solicitor shall be regarded as a solicitor in the full-time service of the State if and while he is required to devote the whole of his time to the service of the State as solicitor and is remunerated in respect of such service wholly out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Prohibition on unqualified person acting as solicitor.
55.—(1) An unqualified person shall not act as a solicitor.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section shall, without prejudice to any other liability or disability to which he may be subject, be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable—
(a) on conviction thereof on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or, at the discretion of the Court, to a fine not exceeding two hundred pounds or to both such fine and such imprisonment, or
(b) on summary conviction thereof, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or, at the discretion of the Court, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section in relation to a court of justice shall also be guilty of contempt of that court and shall be punishable accordingly.
Prohibition on pretending to be solicitor.
56.—(1) A person who is not a solicitor shall not pretend to be a solicitor or take or use any name, title, addition or description or make any representation or demand implying that he is a solicitor.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
Costs not recoverable where solicitor acts while not qualified to practise.
57.—(1) Where a solicitor acts as a solicitor while he is not a solicitor qualified to practise, costs in respect of anything done by such solicitor so acting shall not be recoverable in any action, suit or matter by such solicitor or any person claiming through or under him.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall affect any indemnity which a client of a solicitor has under an order of any court in respect of costs awarded under the order, to the extent (if any) to which the client may have paid such costs to the solicitor at the date of the order.
Restriction on drawing documents, etc.
58.—(1) This section applies to the following acts:
(a) the drawing or preparing of a document relating to real or personal estate or any legal proceeding,
(b) the procuring or attempting to procure the execution by an Irish citizen of a document relating to—
(i) real or personal estate, or movable or immovable property, situate or being outside the State and the United Kingdom, or
(ii) any legal proceeding, actual or in contemplation, of which the subject-matter is any such estate or property,
(c) the making of an application, or the lodging of a document for registration, under the Registration of Title Act, 1891, or any Act amending that Act, at the Land Registry or to or with a local registering authority,
(d) the taking of instructions for, or drawing or preparing of, documents on which to found or oppose a grant of probate or letters of administration.
(2) An unqualified person who does an act to which this section applies shall, subject to subsection (3) of this section and without prejudice to any other liability or disability to which he may be subject, be guilty of an offence under this section and be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
(3) The following acts shall be excepted from the foregoing provisions of this section—
(a) an act not done either directly or indirectly for or in expectation of any fee, gain or reward,
(b) an act done by a practising barrister,
(c) an act done by any public officer in the course of his duty,
(d) an act done by a duly accredited diplomatic or consular officer of another State in the course of his duty,
(e) an act done by a notary public as such,
(f) an act consisting merely of engrossing a document,
(g) an act done by a person in the employment of a practising barrister or a solicitor qualified to practise and while acting in the course of such employment by the direction and under the supervision of his employer.
(4) In this section, the word “document” includes a document under seal and a document not under seal, but does not include—
(a) a letter or power of attorney exclusively for the sale or transfer of stocks, shares, bonds, debentures or other stock exchange securities,
(b) a transfer of stocks, shares, bonds, debentures or other stock exchange securities containing no trust or limitation thereof,
(c) a purely banking document, or
(d) a purely commercial or mercantile document.
Prohibition on solicitor acting as agent for unqualified person.
59.—(1) A solicitor shall not wilfully—
(a) act, in business carried on by him as a solicitor, as agent for an unqualified person so as to enable that person to act as a solicitor,
(b) permit his name to be made use of, in business carried on by him as a solicitor, upon the account, or for the profit of, an unqualified person, or
(c) do an act enabling an unqualified person to act as a solicitor.
(2) This section shall have effect subject to the provisions of this Act and to any exceptions that may be made by regulations under section 71 of this Act.
Restriction on employment of person struck off roll or suspended.
60.—(1) A solicitor shall not, save under and in accordance with a written permission under this section, employ or remunerate, in connection with his practice as a solicitor, a person who to his knowledge is an unqualified person by reason of the striking off the roll of such person's name, the suspension of such person from practice or the suspension of his practising certificate.
(2) The Society may grant a permission for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section for such period and subject to such conditions as they think fit.
(3) A solicitor aggrieved by the refusal of the Society to grant a permission under this section, or by any conditions attached by the Society to the grant thereof, may appeal to the Chief Justice, and the Chief Justice may confirm the refusal or conditions, as the case may be, or may grant the permission for such period and subject to such conditions as he thinks fit.
Carrying on of practice in case of death or disability.
61.—(1) Where a solicitor dies, his personal representatives may appoint a solicitor to carry on the practice of the deceased solicitor for such period and on such terms as the Society may approve of.
(2) Where a solicitor becomes of unsound mind or incapable of managing his own affairs, the President of the High Court may, on the application of the Society or the committee of his estate, appoint a solicitor to carry on the practice of the solicitor for such period and on such terms as the President of the High Court may approve of.
(3) Where a solicitor is adjudicated a bankrupt, the court by whom he is adjudicated a bankrupt may appoint a solicitor to carry on the practice of the solicitor for such period and on such terms as that court may approve of.
Prohibition with respect to introduction of business.
62.—(1) A solicitor shall not reward, or agree to reward, an unqualified person for legal business introduced by such person to the solicitor.
(2) An agreement in contravention of this section shall be void.
(3) This section shall have effect subject to the provisions of this Act and to any exceptions that may be made by regulations under section 71 of this Act.
Disclosure of having been struck off roll, etc.
63.—(1) A person who is an unqualified person, by reason of the striking off the roll of his name, his suspension from practice or the suspension of his practising certificate, shall not seek or accept employment by a solicitor in connection with the solicitor's practice without previously informing the solicitor that he is such an unqualified person.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
Bodies corporate.
64.—(1) A body corporate or director, officer or servant thereof shall not do any act of such nature or in such manner as to imply that the body corporate is qualified, or recognised by law as qualified, to act as a solicitor.
(2) Where there is a contravention of subsection (1) of this section, the body corporate shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds and, where the act was done by a director, officer or servant of the body corporate, he also shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds.
(3) In sections 55, 58 and 59 of this Act, references to unqualified persons, and references to persons, include references to bodies corporate.
Right of audience in certain cases.
65.—Where a solicitor enters an appearance or is acting generally for a party in an action, suit, matter or criminal proceedings, a solicitor qualified to practise who is acting as his assistant shall have a right of audience therein in any court or tribunal in which the first-mentioned solicitor has a right of audience.
PART VII.
Accounts of Solicitors.
Regulations for accounts.
66.—(1) Regulations made with the concurrence of the Chief Justice shall make provision with respect to the following matters:
(a) the opening and keeping by solicitors of accounts at banks for clients' moneys and for moneys of any trust of which the sole trustee is a solicitor or the trustees are a solicitor with a partner, clerk or servant of his or with more than one of such persons;
(b) the keeping by solicitors of accounts containing particulars of and information as to moneys received, held or paid by them for or on account of clients;
(c) the keeping by solicitors of accounts containing particulars of and information as to moneys received, held or paid by them for or on account of any trust of which the sole trustee is a solicitor or the trustees are a solicitor with a partner, clerk or servant of his or with more than one of such persons;
(d) enforcing compliance with the regulations;
(e) ascertaining whether the regulations have been complied with;
(f) the delegation by the Society to the Disciplinary Committee of any such power of enforcement or ascertainment.
(2) The provisions contained in regulations for the purposes of this section for ascertaining whether the regulations have been complied with may include, in particular, provisions requiring solicitors to furnish certificates by duly qualified accountants that the regulations have been complied with.
(3) Regulations for the purposes of this section shall not apply in relation to—
(a) a solicitor in the full-time service of the State, or
(b) any solicitor who is in the part-time service of the State, so far as regards moneys received, held or paid by him in the course of such service.
Provisions with respect to banking companies.
67.—(1) A banking company shall not, in connection with any transaction on an account of a solicitor kept with them or with another banking company (other than an account kept by a solicitor as trustee for a specified beneficiary), incur a liability or be under an obligation to make inquiry or be deemed to have knowledge of a right to money paid or credited to the account which they would not incur, be under or be deemed to have in the case of an account kept by a person entitled absolutely to the money paid or credited thereto.
Nothing in this subsection shall relieve a banking company from any liability or obligation which they would be under apart from this Act.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a banking company which keeps an account of a solicitor for moneys of clients, or of any trust of which the sole trustee is a solicitor or the trustees are a solicitor with a partner, clerk or servant of his or with one or more of such persons, shall not, in respect of a liability of the solicitor to the banking company, not being a liability in connection with that account, have or obtain any recourse or right, whether by way of set-off, counter-claim, charge or otherwise, against moneys standing to the credit of that account.
Nothing in this subsection shall deprive a banking company of a right, existing at the time when the first regulations made for the purposes of section 66 of this Act come into operation, in respect of moneys previously deposited with such banking company.
Priority of claims to clients' moneys.
68.—Where a solicitor keeps in a bank an account for moneys of clients or of any trust of which the sole trustee is a solicitor or the trustees are a solicitor with a partner, clerk or servant of his or with more than one of such persons, neither the State nor any person shall have or obtain any recourse or right against moneys standing to the credit of that account in respect of a claim or right against the solicitor until all proper claims of the clients, or of the persons interested in the trust, against those moneys have been fully satisfied.
PART VIII.
The Compensation Fund.
Compensation Fund.
69.—(1) The Society shall establish and maintain a fund to be known as the Compensation Fund.
(2) The Society may make grants out of the Compensation Fund to relieve or mitigate losses sustained in consequence of dishonesty of solicitors.
(3) The provisions contained in the Fifth Schedule to this Act shall have effect in relation to the Compensation Fund.
(4) A reference in this section or in the Fifth Schedule to this Act to dishonesty of a solicitor shall be construed as a reference to dishonesty of a solicitor, or a clerk or servant of a solicitor, in connection with such solicitor's practice or with a trust of which such solicitor is a trustee.
Contributions to Compensation Fund.
70.—(1) Before a practising certificate is issued to a solicitor, he shall pay to the registrar the annual contribution to the Compensation Fund and any additional contribution that may be appropriate and—
(a) the registrar may withhold issue of the certificate until the payment is made, and
(b) on the payment being made, the registrar shall pay it into the Compensation Fund.
(2) The annual contribution payable by a solicitor to the Compensation Fund shall be—
(a) in case the practising certificate with respect to which it is paid is the fourth certificate issued to the solicitor since his admission or is any subsequent certificate—five pounds or such less amount as may be specified by regulations made with the concurrence of the Minister for Justice,
(b) in case such practising certificate is the first, second or third certificate issued to the solicitor since his admission—one-half of the amount that would be payable in the case of a certificate referred to in the foregoing paragraph.
(3) At any time not later than the 30th day of November in any year (being the year 1960 or any later year) the Society may resolve that it is expedient in order to secure the financial stability of the Compensation Fund that every solicitor taking out a practising certificate in respect of the next following practice year (being the fourth certificate issued to him since his admission or any subsequent certificate) shall pay an additional contribution of a specified amount not exceeding five pounds to the Compensation Fund.
PART IX.
Professional Practice, Conduct and Discipline.
Regulations for professional practice, conduct and discipline.
71.—Regulations may be made with respect to the professional practice, conduct and discipline of solicitors.
PART X.
Miscellaneous.
Stamp duties.
72.—(1) Stamp duty shall not be charged on the admission of a person as a solicitor or on a practising certificate.
(2) For the reference to £80 contained in the First Schedule to the Stamp Act, 1891, under the first of the headings “ARTICLES OF CLERKSHIP” there shall be substituted a reference to £14.
Committees of the Council.
73.—(1) The Council may appoint a committee for any purpose which the Council consider would be better effected by means of a committee and may delegate to the committee, with or without restrictions, the exercise of any functions of the Council.
(2) The number of members of a committee under this section and their term of office shall be fixed by the Council.
(3) A committee under this section may include persons who are not members of the Council, but—
(a) at least two-thirds of the members of the committee shall be members of the Council, and
(b) where functions of the Society which are performable by the Council are delegated to the committee, the committee shall consist wholly of members of the Council.
(4) Where functions of the Society which are performable by the Council are delegated to a committee under this section, the quorum of the committee shall be three.
(5) The Council shall ensure that no member of the Disciplinary any Committee shall act as a member of any committee under this section concerned with complaints against solicitors.
Inspection of file of proceedings in bankruptcy of solicitor.
74.—The Society shall be entitled, without payment of any fee, to inspect the file of proceedings in bankruptcy relating to a solicitor against whom proceedings in bankruptcy have been taken and to be supplied with office copies of the proceedings on payment of the usual charge for such copies.
Qualification for holding office of former barrister.
75.—For the purposes of a statutory provision or custom whereby the qualification of a solicitor for holding an office depends on his having been admitted and enrolled for a particular period, that period shall, in the case of a solicitor who before admission was a barrister, be reckoned as if he had been admitted and enrolled on the date on which he was called to the bar.
Cesser of limitation on value of land.
76.—The limitation in the Charters of the Society on the value of land to be held by the Society shall cease to have effect.
Prosecution of offences.
77.—(1) An offence under this Act may be prosecuted by the Society.
(2) Notwithstanding any provision in any Act specifying the period within which summary proceedings may be commenced, proceedings in respect of an offence under this Act may be commenced at any time within the period of three months from the date on which evidence, sufficient in the opinion of the Society to justify a prosecution, comes to their knowledge, or within the period of twelve months after the commission of the offence, whichever period last expires.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) of this section, a certificate issued by the Society as to the date on which such evidence as aforesaid came to their knowledge shall be conclusive evidence thereof.
Amendment of bye-laws so as to conform with this Act and regulations thereunder.
78.—Notwithstanding the provisions of their Charters, the Society shall make any amendments in the bye-laws of the Society that are necessary to bring them into conformity with this Act and the regulations made thereunder.
Authentication and evidence of regulations and other documents.
79.—(1) A regulation, certificate, notice or other document made or issued by the Society may be signed on behalf of the Society by the president of the Society, the secretary of the Society, or the registrar, or by any officer of the Society nominated for that purpose by the Council.
(2) Prima facie evidence of a regulation, certificate, notice or other document made or issued by the Society may be given by production of a document purporting to be a copy thereof and to be signed as specified in subsection (1) of this section.
Service of documents.
80.—A notice or other document which is required or authorised by or under this Act to be served on any person may, without prejudice to any other method of service, be served by sending it by registered post in an envelope addressed to the person at his last known place of business or residence.
Notification by practising solicitor of change in place of business.
81.—A practising solicitor shall give notice to the registrar of any change in his place of business or places of business within fourteen days after the change is made, and the registrar shall record the change by amending the latest entry relating to the solicitor in the register of practising solicitors.
Fees payable to the Society.
82.—(1) There shall be paid to the Society, in respect of the applications mentioned in the Sixth Schedule to this Act, such fees as may be prescribed for those applications respectively.
(2) Regulations prescribing fees for the applications referred to in paragraphs 1 to 6 of the Sixth Schedule to this Act shall require the concurrence of the Chief Justice.
(3) Different fees may be prescribed pursuant to this section for a first application to attend an examination and any subsequent application by the same applicant to attend that examination.
(4) Where a fee is prescribed pursuant to this section in respect of an application, payment thereof shall be a condition precedent to the entertainment of the application.
Rules of Court and costs.
83.—(1) The Superior Court Rules Committee may make rules of court for the purposes of—
(a) applications and appeals under this Act to the Chief Justice, and
(b) applications under this Act to the President of the High Court.
(2) An order made on any such application or appeal may contain such provisions with respect to costs as the Chief Justice or the President of the High Court (as the case may be) considers proper.
Construction of certain references.
84.—(1) A reference in any enactment to a solicitor, attorney or proctor shall be construed as a reference to a solicitor within the meaning of this Act.
(2) A reference in any enactment to the registrar of attorneys and solicitors shall be construed as a reference to the registrar within the meaning of this Act.
Application of Attorneys' and Solicitors' Act, 1870.
85.—To remove doubt, it is hereby declared that the Attorneys' and Solicitors' Act, 1870, applies, and always applied, in the State.
Saver for solicitors to the Revenue Commissioners and other persons.
86.—Nothing in this Act shall affect any rights or privileges of persons who are solicitors or assistant solicitors to the Revenue Commissioners or require any such person, or any clerk or officer acting for him, to be admitted or enrolled or to hold a practising certificate.
Saver for authorisation to conduct action, etc.
87.—Nothing in this Act shall affect any provision made by or under statute or by common law by which an unqualified person is authorised to conduct, defend or otherwise act in relation to any action, suit or matter.
Transitional provisions.
88.—(1) A person who is not a solicitor and who has passed any examination under the Solicitors (Ireland) Act, 1898, or under section 4 of the Legal Practitioners (Qualification) Act, 1929 (No. 16 of 1929), shall be deemed to have passed the corresponding examination under this Act.
(2) Where at the commencement of this section, a solicitor has two apprentices, he may retain them until the expiration of their indentures as if he had obtained the consent of the Society under subsection (2) of section 36 of this Act.
(3) Any admission, appointment, approval, fee, notice, certificate, instrument, order, rule, regulation, direction, appeal or proceeding under or for the purposes of an enactment repealed by this Act shall be treated as being under or for the purposes of the corresponding enactment of this Act, and—
(a) any such order, rule or regulation shall remain in force until corresponding provision is made under this Act, and
(b) any such proceeding which was brought before the committee established under section 34 of the Solicitors (Ireland) Act, 1898, and which stood not completed immediately before the commencement of this section shall be completed by the Disciplinary Committee in like manner as if this Act had not been passed.
(4) From the commencement of this section until the first appointment under subsection (1) of section 13 of this Act, the Disciplinary Committee shall consist of the persons who immediately before the commencement of this section were the members of the committee established under section 34 of the Solicitors (Ireland) Act, 1898.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
Enactments Repealed.
Session and Chapter or Number and Year | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
14 & 15 Vict., c. 88. | Solicitors Act, 1851. | The whole Act. |
27 & 28 Vict., c. 8. | Conveyancers (Ireland) Act, 1864. | The whole Act. |
54 & 55 Vict., c. 39. | Stamp Act, 1891. | The words “part of” in section 28; the words “solicitor or” in subsection (1) of section 43; section 44. |
61 & 62 Vict., c. 17. | Solicitors (Ireland) Act, 1898. | The whole Act. |
62 & 63 Vict., c. 4. | Solicitors Act, 1899. | The whole Act. |
63 & 64 Vict., c. 14. | Colonial Solicitors Act, 1900. | The whole Act. |
8 Edw. 7, c. 38. | Irish Universities Act, 1908. | Section 12. |
11 & 12 Geo. 5, c. 32. | Finance Act, 1921. | Section 60. |
No. 10 of 1923. | The whole Act. | |
No. 16 of 1929. | ||
No. 12 of 1943. | The whole Act. | |
No. 36 of 1947. | The whole Act. |
SECOND SCHEDULE.
Term of Indentures of Apprenticeship.
1. The term shall be three years for a person who, before being bound, has taken the degree of bachelor of arts or bachelor of laws, or other degree which in the opinion of the Society is equivalent thereto, in any of the universities of Ireland, England, Scotland or Wales.
2. The term shall be four years for a person who, after the commencement of his apprenticeship and before his admission as a solicitor, takes the degree of bachelor of arts, or other degree which in the opinion of the Society is equivalent thereto, in the University of Dublin, or in the National University of Ireland.
3. The term shall be four years for a person who, as a matriculated or non-matriculated student of a prescribed university, or a constituent college thereof, attends the prescribed lectures and passes the prescribed examinations of the professors of the faculty of law in that university for a period of two collegiate years.
4. The term shall be three years for a person who, having been called to the bar, has, before being bound, procured himself to be disbarred.
5. The term shall be three years for a person—
(a) who, before being bound, has for the period of seven years been a bona fide clerk to a solicitor,
(b) who, during that period, has been bona fide engaged in the transaction and performance under the direction and superintendence of the solicitor of such legal business as the Society are satisfied was of a sufficiently responsible nature, and
(c) who produces to the Society satisfactory evidence that the has faithfully, honestly and diligently served as such clerk.
6. The term shall be five years for any other person.
THIRD SCHEDULE.
Form of Annual Declaration for obtaining Practising Certificate.
No.
I , hereby make the following declaration:—
(1) I was admitted a Solicitor of the Courts of Justice in the sittings in the year and my place (s) (a) of business is/are as follows (a):—
_______________.
(2) (b) the provisions of section 49 of the Solicitors Act, 1954, do not apply to me.
(or)
(b) the provisions of section 49 of the Solicitors Act, 1954, apply to me and I have duly given the notice required by that section.
(3) (c) I have, to the best of my knowledge and belief, complied with the Solicitors' Accounts Regulations (d).
(or)
(c) I have not complied with the Solicitors' Accounts Regulations (d) in the following respects:—(e)
_______________
_______________
_______________
Dated the day of , 19
(Signature)_______
To the Registrar.
(a) All places of business if more than one must be stated with an indication as to which of them is the principal place of business. If any changes have taken place since last practising certificate, particulars should be given.
(b) Strike out whichever of the alternative paragraphs does not apply.
(c) Strike out whichever of the alternative paragraphs does not apply.
(d) A copy of the Solicitors' Accounts Regulations now in force is printed in full on the back of this form.
(e) State the respects in which the Solicitors' Accounts Regulations have not been complied with.
FOURTH SCHEDULE.
Form of Practising Certificate.
No. For the practice year ending the 5th day of January, 19 .
Pursuant to the Solicitors Act, 1954, the Registrar of Solicitors hereby certifies that
solicitor, whose sole or principal place of business is at
_______________
has delivered to the Registrar of Solicitors a declaration in writing pursuant to the said Act, and hereby further certifies that the said solicitor is duly enrolled as a solicitor of the Courts of Justice, and is entitled to practise as such solicitor.
Given under the hand of the Registrar of Solicitors
this_______ day of_______
19_____
Registrar.
Note.
A practising certificate is in force only as on and from the day of which it bears the date unless an order directing otherwise has been obtained under the Solicitors Act, 1954.
FIFTH SCHEDULE.
Provisions relating to the Compensation Fund.
1. In this Schedule “the Fund” means the Compensation Fund.
2. (a) As respects losses which, in the opinion of the Society, arose during the period beginning on the 6th day of January, 1955, and ending on the 5th day of January, 1960, the making of grants out of the Fund and the amounts of such grants shall be at the absolute discretion of the Society.
(b) As respects losses which, in the opinion of the Society, arose on or after the 6th day of January, 1960,—
(i) the making of grants out of the Fund and the amounts of such grants shall be at the absolute discretion of the Society in cases in which the Society are of opinion that there has been negligence on the part of the loser, or of any person for whom he is responsible, which has contributed to the loss in question;
(ii) in all other cases a grant shall be made out of the Fund if the Society are of opinion that the loss in question is established and the amount of the grant shall be such as represents in the opinion of the Society full indemnity for the loss.
(c) This paragraph is without prejudice to any other provisions of or made under the subsequent provisions of this Schedule.
3. A grant may be made out of the Fund notwithstanding that the solicitor has, after the act of dishonesty, died, had his name removed from or struck off the roll, ceased to practise, been suspended from practice, or had his practising certificate suspended.
4. A grant may be made out of the Fund whether or not the solicitor had a practising certificate in force when the act of dishonesty occurred.
5. A grant shall not be made out of the Fund unless notice of the loss is received by the Society—
(a) in the prescribed manner, and
(b) within the prescribed period after the loss came to the knowledge of the loser.
6. A grant shall not be made out of the Fund in respect of a loss which, in the opinion of the Society, arose before the 6th day of January, 1955.
7. (a) A grant out of the Fund may, at the discretion of the Society, be paid either in one sum or by instalments.
(b) The Society may, if they are of the opinion that the financial stability of the Fund so requires, postpone payment of any grant out of the Fund payable in one sum or payment of any instalment of a grant out of the Fund.
8. (1) The Society may borrow for the Fund and, for the purpose of giving security with respect to such borrowing, may charge investments of the Fund.
(2) The total amount which shall at any time stand borrowed under this paragraph shall not exceed ten thousand pounds.
9. The Society may invest moneys of the Fund in securities in which trustees are authorised by law to invest trust funds.
10. The Society may insure against a risk relating to the Fund.
11. The following shall be paid into the Fund:
(a) interest, dividends and other income and accretions of capital arising from investments of the Fund,
(b) the proceeds of the realisation of investments of the Fund,
(c) moneys borrowed for the Fund,
(d) sums received by the Society under any insurance effected by the Society in relation to the Fund,
(e) other moneys belonging to or accruing to the Fund or received by the Society in respect thereof.
12. The following shall be paid out of the Fund:
(a) expenses incurred in establishing, maintaining or administering the Fund,
(b) premiums on insurance effected by the Society in relation to the Fund,
(c) repayments of moneys borrowed by the Society for the Fund and payments of interest on such moneys,
(d) expenses incurred by the Society under or in exercise of powers conferred by or under this Schedule,
(e) other sums properly payable out of the Fund.
13. The Society, for the purposes of inquiry into any matters which may affect the making or refusal of a grant from the Fund, may take evidence on oath, and administration of such oath is hereby authorised.
14. Where a grant is made out of the Fund—
(a) the Society shall, to the amount of the grant, be subrogated—
(i) to any rights or remedies to which the grantee was entitled on account of the loss against the solicitor or any other person or against the estate of such solicitor or other person,
(ii) to any rights or remedies to which the solicitor, or his clerk or servant, was entitled on account of the loss against any other person or against the estate of such other person,
(iii) to all other rights and remedies (if any) of the grantee or such solicitor, clerk or servant in respect of the loss,
(b) the grantee or his representatives shall not have a right under bankruptcy or other legal proceedings to receive any sum out of the assets of such solicitor or other person in respect of the loss until the Society has been reimbursed for the full amount of the grant.
15. (1) Where the Society have reasonable cause to believe that dishonesty of a solicitor has occurred, they may by notice require the production or delivery to any person appointed by the Society, and may take possession of, all or any documents in the possession or control of such solicitor or his firm, or relating to any trust of which such solicitor is the sole trustee or of which the trustees are such solicitor with a partner, clerk or servant of his or with more than one of such persons.
(2) Where a person, having possession or control of documents which he has been required under this paragraph to produce or deliver, refuses or fails to produce or deliver them in accordance with the requirement—
(a) he shall be guilty of an offence under this paragraph and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds, and
(b) the Society may apply to the High Court and that Court may by order require such person to produce or deliver the documents.
(3) Where the Society take possession of documents produced or delivered under a requirement under this paragraph, they shall serve, on the solicitor and on every other person from whom the documents were received, a notice giving particulars of the documents and the date of taking possession thereof.
(4) Within fourteen days after service of a notice under subparagraph (3) of this paragraph on a solicitor or other person, he may apply to the High Court for an order directing the Society to return the documents received by the Society to the person or persons from whom they were received or to such other person or persons as the applicant may require and the High Court may make the order applied for or such other order as the Court thinks fit.
(5) Where an application is not made in accordance with subparagraph (4) of this paragraph or the High Court on such application directs that the documents shall remain in the custody or control of the Society, the Society may make inquiries to ascertain the person or persons to whom the documents belong and may deal with the documents in accordance with the directions of such person or persons.
(6) In this paragraph, the word “documents” includes deeds, wills, papers, books of account, records, vouchers and documents constituting or evidencing the title to any property.
16. The following provisions shall have effect for the purposes of subparagraph (5) of paragraph 15 of this Schedule:
(a) the Society, on receipt of an application for the delivery of documents from a person claiming to be entitled to the possession or custody thereof, may either—
(i) investigate the claim of such person to the possession or custody of the documents, or
(ii) require such person to nominate a solicitor to take delivery of the documents on his behalf,
(b) the Society shall not be bound to investigate the claim of any person who applies for delivery of documents in the possession of the Society or to schedule or list such documents save at the expense of such person, and payment of such sum as the Society may require as a deposit in respect of the costs and expenses of the investigation, scheduling or listing shall be a condition precedent to the undertaking of the investigation or to the delivery of such documents to such person by the Society,
(c) the Society or the person making a deposit as aforesaid may, after the claim has been investigated, require the costs and expenses to which the deposit relates to be taxed by a Taxing Master of the High Court (subject to appeal to the High Court), and the amount found due on such taxation after allowing all just credits shall be a simple contract debt due by such person to the Society or by the Society to such person (as the case may be) and recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction,
(d) if the Society, in lieu of investigating the claim of the person applying for delivery of documents, requires such person to nominate a solicitor to take delivery thereof on his behalf, the Society may retain the documents until the nomination is duly made,
(e) on the nomination of a solicitor to take delivery of documents, the Society may deliver the documents to the solicitor in exchange for—
(i) a receipt for the documents,
(ii) a statutory declaration by the solicitor that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the person on whose nomination he is acting is lawfully entitled to possession of the documents and that no other person has any prior title thereto or claim thereon by way of mortgage, charge, lien or otherwise,
(iii) a statutory declaration by the person applying for delivery of the documents to the same effect, and
(iv) an undertaking by the solicitor to return the documents to the Society if it should be ascertained, while the documents are in his possession, that his client was not so entitled at the date of the declaration,
and such receipt, declarations and undertaking shall constitute a full discharge to the Society for the documents,
(f) no action or claim shall lie against the Society by any person claiming to be entitled to documents or to any property to which they relate, or to any mortgage, charge or lien in respect of such documents or property, for any loss or injury occasioned by the taking of possession of the documents by the Society, or by the delivery of the documents by the Society in accordance with this paragraph,
(g) the Society shall have a lien over documents for all costs and expenses, if any, incurred by the Society in connection therewith (including, where appropriate, the costs and expenses of investigating the claim of any person claiming to be entitled thereto).
17. Where the Society are satisfied that dishonesty of a solicitor has occurred, they may apply to the High Court for, and the High Court may make, an order directing either—
(a) that no banking company shall, without leave of the High Court, make any payment out of a banking account in the name of the solicitor or his firm, or
(b) that a specified banking company shall not, without leave of the High Court, make any payment out of a banking account kept by such company in the name of the solicitor or his firm.
18. (1) In this paragraph—
“the corresponding society” means the Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland,
“corresponding certificate” means a certificate issued by the corresponding society and corresponding to a practising certificate,
“corresponding practitioners” means persons holding corresponding certificates.
(2) Where a scheme operated by the corresponding society requires corresponding practitioners controlled by that society to contribute to any fund or insurance policy, or to take out any insurance policy, for the compensation or indemnification of clients for or against losses due to defalcations of such practitioners or their clerks or servants, the Society may make arrangements and agreements with the corresponding society in regard to persons who are entitled both to take out practising certificates and to take out corresponding certificates, and any such arrangement or agreement may provide—
(a) for the payment by each such person of one combined annual contribution and the manner in which the combined contribution is to be applied for the purposes of the Fund and any fund or insurance policy maintained for the purposes of the said scheme,
(b) for the manner in which claims in respect of defalcations by any such person, or his clerk or servant, shall be treated and the extent, if any, to which those claims shall be paid by the Society and the corresponding society respectively,
(c) for any consequential or incidental matters.
19. Regulations made with the concurrence of the Chief Justice may—
(a) provide for procedure (other than court procedure) to be followed in giving effect to the provisions of section 69 of this Act and of this Schedule,
(b) make provisions ancillary or supplemental to the provisions of this Schedule,
(c) make provisions giving effect to any arrangement or agreement pursuant to paragraph 18 of this Schedule or ancillary or supplemental thereto.
SIXTH SCHEDULE.
Applications for which Fees may be prescribed.
1. Application for consent of the Society to entry into indentures.
2. Application for entry by the registrar of indentures of apprenticeship.
3. Application to attend any examination.
4. Application to attend any course of lectures.
5. Application for permission to give late notice of intention to attend any examination or course of lectures.
6. Application for entry of a name on the roll of solicitors.
7. Application for a practising certificate.
8. Application under section 21 of this Act for a copy of an entry in File A or File B.