Irish Law Times/Volume 1/Number 1/Current Topics
Current Topics.
At the inaugural dinner at the Mansion house on New Year's Day, the Right Hon. William L. Joynt, Lord Mayor, signalized the occasion by giving as a toast "The Attorneys and Solicitors of Ireland." We take the report of his remarks from Saunders:—
"He was sure it was not too much to ask them to drink the health of the honoured profession to which he belonged. Possibly, as they were unaccustomed to the toast, they were a little surprised at his audacity in proposing it. Any success that he himself had had in life he owed to that profession. Fifteen years ago he began in its humblest walks; and by patience, perseverance, and honourable attention to his duties, he had found himself able to realize the best and proudest hope that any man could have in this life, as far as worldly prosperity went—the proud privilege of being independent. He was very glad to see many distinguished gentlemen belonging to his profession in the room. He could not ask them all to respond; but he would join with the toast the name of one of them, Mr. Durdin, an alderman of the city, a gentleman of considerable attainments, of very high personal character, and, probably, whose proudest boast was that he did not share a single political principle in common with himself. He was all the prouder to see him there that night; and he called on them to drink prosperity to him, and to the solicitors, who on a late occasion had obtained a charter for themselves, and had escaped from the protecting care of a body who thought much more of themselves than they did of the solicitors."
It is, we understand, the intention of Sir Colman O'Loghlin, M.P., to re-introduce into Parliament at the earliest opportunity, a Bill for the abolition of arrest for debt on final process. By this measure the person of the debtor will be altogether freed from attack, but it is probable that his property, income, &c., will at the same time be rendered more assailable. We cannot but think, however, that the laws which should regulate the important relations between debtor and creditor ought not to be dealt with crudely, or by piecemeal, or, we may add, by private legislation. It is a matter requiring comprehensive treatment, and deserving the attention of the Government.
In the address of Mr. Vance, M.P. for the borough of Armagh, when returning thanks to the electors, the following observations occur with reference to the law of Bankruptcy in Ireland:—
"There are some other measures likely to engage the attention of Parliament in the next session, and one is upon the subject of bankruptcy. It is not generally known that we have different systems in the Three Kingdoms as regards bankruptcy. Besides which, there is a different law of debtor and creditor in each country (hear, hear.) It would be very desirable to assimilate them, and it is because I feel the necessity of such a measure that, as a mercantile man, I was particularly anxious to be placed in Parliament this session. In any measure that passes I trust the most tender consideration will be given to men who by sheer misfortune have been driven into the court. At the same time, I should be willing to see a severe punishment enacted for those who should be proved to have fradulently dissipated the property of their creditors. It is also extremely desirable that the assets should be promptly and inexpensively divided. At present they are generally frittered away in law courts and proceedings in which the creditors have no interest. I trust (with due regard, of course, to vested interests) that the creditors will be first consulted in any arrangement of the sort that may be made."