H R F TThe OfficialTThe OfficialH Journal Journale ofe the of IrishtheB IrishB Institute InstituteR of ie Legalof ieLegal Executives ExecutivesF 2011 Issue2015 IN THiS ISSue... IILEX PROFILE: The new Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence; MR ALAN SHATTER TD Plus... Remembering Christine Smith The Office of Notary Public in Ireland A History of the Women’s Refuge in Rathmines Spotlight on Cork City Hall ElementsIn this Issue of. Pro-active Plus . Diane Burleigh becomes a Patron The Innocence Project CriminalFrances Fitzgerald Justice Profile Brighwater Salary Scales The Companies Act Griffith College Conferring - Dublin & Cork A Day in the Life of a Legal ExecutiveIILEX | The Brief 2015 1 in the Public Service 2011 Brief.indd 1 13/08/2011 10:41:35 THe BRieF 2015 TThe OfficialH Journale of the IrishB InstituteR of ieLegal ExecutivesF 2011 Issue CONTENTS Page Page N MessageH S fromSS the President... 3 The Companies Act 2014 10 I TClosei Encounters I ue Down Under 3 Appointment of Patron of IILEX Mrs. Diane Burleigh O.B.E. 12 Frances Fitzgerald - Profile 4 IILEX PROFILE: Salary Survey 2015 13 My Experience at Studying Law in Griffith The newCollege Minister Dublin for 5 Why not qualify as a Mediator? 14 Justice,The AIBEquality Private Bankingand Irish Law Awards 2015 5 Cork Conferring Ceremony 15 Defence;Marie McSweeney, Legal Executive of the Criminalising Contagion 16 Year 2014 - Irish Law Awards 2014 7 MR ALAN SHATTER TD Irish Convict Garret Cotter 18 Eu Treaty Rights - (Free Movement Rights) 7 Irish Innocence Project 20 Commissioner... for Oaths 8 Plus Frank Crummey FIILEX - Brief Profile 23 RememberingGriffith College Conferring Ceremony 9 Christine Smith Legal Disclaimer EDITORIAL TEAM The Brief adopts an independent and inquiring We the Editorial team hereby extend many thanks approach towards the law and the legal profession. to all of those who contributed articles as well as The OfficeIt is published of forNotary the benefit ofPublic members of the Irish photographs for this Edition of the Official Journal of Institute of Legal Executives and therefore aims to IILEX – “The Brief”. in Irelandkeep them properly informed of developments in the law and legal practice. 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Mary O’Dwyer, FIILEX Criminal Justice Editor Front cover picture: Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice and Equality A Day2 IILEXin | Thethe Brief 2015 Life of a Legal Executive in the Public Service 2011 Brief.indd 1 13/08/2011 10:41:35 IILEX PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS Dear Members, Having just completed the year 2014 / 2015 as President I am pleased to advise that myself and my colleague directors have had a very productive year promoting and representing the Irish Institute of Legal Executives and making ourselves known as the organisation which represents Legal Executives within this Legal Jurisdiction. This year I have had the great pleasure in welcoming Mrs Diane Burleigh O.B.E. as our Patron. Mrs Burleigh the retired Chief Executive of CILEX. U.K. brings with her a wealth of knowledge to IILEX and how we can progress as a Legal Representative body. Mrs Burleigh was presented with her Patrons Medal at a C.P.D. presentation at Dublin City Hall. In March of this year myself and a delegation from IILEX had a very cordial meeting with the Minister for Justice & Equality Frances Fitzgerald at the Department of Justice & Equality St. Stephens Green and have now opened communications with the Minister regarding the Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011 and the possibility of having Legal Executives included in the legislation. I am very pleased that Griffith College Dublin and Cork continue to provide Legal Executive graduates. I congratulate all of those students who graduated this year and look forward to having them as full members of the institute in the future. Recently at The Irish Law Awards Jacci Fox of Holmes O’Malley Sexton was chosen as Legal Executive of the year, I would like to take this opportunity both on my own behalf and on behalf of my fellow directors of IILEX to congratulate Jacci on receiving this prestigious award. In the last twelve months membership has increased, I welcome all new members and would encourage all members to actively promote the Institute to their colleagues. May I remind you that the institute is here to assist you should you have any difficulties please do not hesitate to contact us directly. I acknowledge all the tireless work that my colleagues on the board of IILEX do for the institute and you the members and for this work I say a very big THANK YOU. Patrick J. Courtney President Close Encounters Down Under Whilst visiting family in Australia I decided to try to visit my friends in ILEX Victoria. Typical of Legal Executives everywhere once I made contact with Roz Curnow, C.E.O., the usual ‘can do’ attitude came into play. Unbelievably after a couple of emails we had ‘brunch’ near Melbourne and cemented our relationship which commenced many years ago by post, then email and now we were having a face to face meeting. It was a wonderful exchange of thoughts, challenges and ideas. We had much in common, the main one being the almost total voluntary nature of our Institutes being an obstacle towards real growth which we both found frustrating. They experience a very close relationship with the Law Society in Victoria who sponsors their website and various other ventures. I am so grateful for their long friendship and their hospitality to me last September. L-R Roz Curnow, CEO ILEX Victoria, Veronica Duffy Veronica Duffy, Vice-President IILEX and Vicki Askew, Secretary & Vice-President of IILEX Treasurer ILEX Victoria IILEX | The Brief 2015 3 Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice and Equality - a profile Frances Fitzgerald was appointed as Minister for Justice and As an opposition Parliamentarian, Frances served in six Equality on the 8th May 2014. different portfolios under three different Fine Gael leaders - John Bruton, Michael Noonan and Enda Kenny. On her Since taking office, the Minister has been actively involved first day in the Dáil Frances was appointed as Fine Gael in delivering the Government’s comprehensive programme Spokesperson on Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht and went of justice reform which includes the planned establishment on to serve as Spokesperson on Defence, Social Community of a new Independent Garda Authority; the appointments & Family Affairs, Equality & Family Affairs, and Social Welfare. of the Garda Commissioner by open competition and the She served as Spokesperson on Health and Children while introduction of new legislation to reform, strengthen and in the Senate. Frances has served on various Dáil and clarify the remit and operation of the Garda Síochána Seanad committees including Justice, the Committee on Ombudsman Commission. In addition, Frances has overseen the Constitution, the National and Economic Social Forum, the recommencement of training for new the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, Garda recruits. Social Affairs and Health. Frances was a member of the Joint Committee on the Frances is committed to bringing forward Constitutional Amendment on Children a referendum on marriage equality in and co-authored several Oireachtas 2015 and is working on a new system for Committee reports. She co-founded the Legal Services regulation. first ever Cross Party Group on Mental Health and worked closely with Amnesty Frances is also overseeing major reviews International to help break down the in areas including judicial appointments, stigmas associated with mental health firearms licensing, penal policy, legislation issues. pertaining to domestic violence; and Frances has campaigned strongly on the implementation of the EU Directive mental health, special needs, social on victims of crime. A key Government policy and equality issues and worked commitment was met when the Court of professionally in these areas. Appeal was established in October 2014. Frances has previously served as a Between March 2011 and May 2014, member of Dublin City Council. Frances served as Ireland’s first-ever senior Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. In this role Frances led Frances has held numerous senior positions in the Fine Gael a programme of comprehensive reform of child protection party, including as a member of the party’s Executive and welfare in Ireland including: the establishment of Council; and Director of Elections for the 2013 Meath East Ireland’s first-ever dedicated Child & Family Agency, the by-election.