Law Society ‘progress’ on priorities in 2024
The Director General of the Law Society says that the organisation made “considerable progress” on several kay objectives for the profession during 2024.
Writing in the Law Society’s annual report, Mark Garrett described the inclusion of many of its policy priorities in the Programme for Government as “a significant achievement”, but added that this was “just the beginning”.
These included commitments to investing in the courts system, a review of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, developing a solicitor’s portal for enduring-power-of-attorney applications, the restoration of criminal legal-aid fees, reforming property law, and promoting diversity in the profession.
“We have been continuing to engage with ministers, senior officials, and members of the Oireachtas to secure implementation of these proposals,” the director general wrote.
During 2024, the Law Society made 27 submissions on proposed changes to policy or legislation, using insights from experts on the organisation’s committees.
Also writing in the report, Law Society President Eamon Harrington said that, while Ireland had much to be grateful for on access to justice, “we cannot be complacent”.
He said that the Law Society continued to do its part in promoting and supporting “a just and accessible legal system that works for all”, citing the organisation’s establishment of the Centre for Justice and Law Reform, which held its inaugural summer school in June this year.
Financial support for trainees
The report shows that the Law Society’s Professional Practice (PPC) welcomed 542 trainee solicitors, while 2,604 candidates took the FE-1 entrance exams.
Attendance at CPD courses and events increased during the year, with 26,412 registrations for 176 courses.
The report also shows that 65% of trainees who joined the PPC Hybrid course were based outside Dublin, while more than one-third were aged 30 or older, and 74% were female.
There are currently 203 individuals participating in the Law Society’s Access Scholarship Scheme, which aims to reduce barriers for those seeking to enter, return to, or progress within the solicitors’ profession.
During the year, 22 trainees qualified as solicitors with support from the Access programme.
In total, 113 people are receiving financial support for FE-1 exams, while 90 are being supported in respect of the full-time and hybrid PPC.
350 inspections
On regulation, the report shows that the Law Society’s Regulation of Practice Committee carried out 350 annual inspections, examined and processed 2,148 reporting accountants’ reports, and considered 775 items.
During 2024, there were 112 claim payments made from the Compensation Fund, totalling over €2.6 million.
The Law Society conducted anti-money-laundering (AML) inspections of 342 firms during 2024, of which 169 were fully compliant, 169 were partially compliant, and four were non-compliant.
Services for solicitors
The report shows that the Law Society Library handled just over 4,000 legal queries during 2024, while a dedicated solicitor-services email responded to an average of 300 queries a month.
The Law Society also published 15 new practice notes in areas such as business law, conveyancing, and probate, administration and trusts.
In December 2024, the organisation launched a new payment system that increased the rate of practising-certificate renewals, with 93% issued to solicitors within 48 hours and a 97% acceptance rate
During the year, there were 1.5 million visits to the Law Society website, while Gazette.ie recorded almost 1.27 million page views – a 25% increase on 2023.