THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16987, 9 November 1920, Page 6

THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

AMENDING BILL BEFORE HOUSE. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.) WELLINGTON, November 8. In the House of Representatives this afternoon the Hon. E. P. Lee moved the socond reading of tho Law Practitioners' Act Amendment Bill, which he said was intended to enable soldier solicitors to count the period of their service at tho war in tho five years which they must serve in order to qualify as a barrister. Yhero had been a suggestion that the same privilege should be oxtended to managing clerks, but he was unable to accept, that. The Bill as introduced repealed section 3 of the Law Practitioners' Amendment Act 1915, which prevented King's Counsel practising ae solicitors. "This clause had been struck out by the Statutes Revision Committee, nnd he proposed to ask the House to' restore it, hocause no one seemed willing to accept the status of K.C. if he was not allowed to practise as 'a solicitor.

Mr Sidey opposed the reinstatement of K.C.'s as solicitors. The change had not been asked for by the Law Societies; on the contrary, many branches were opposed to it. 'When the distinction of K.C. was first conferred it was thought to be merely a personal distinction, but it was soon found that ?it had a commercial-value, and tho Government wore now seeking to further enhance that value. This legislation was not boing introduced as the result of a f/eneral wish, but in the interests, of a few privileged persons. Ho asked Ministers to accept the decision of the Statutes Revision Committee .and tho remainder of tho. Hill would be accepted without (juestion. Mossrs Holland. MrG'nllnvn, Statham, and Hannn opposed the clause. The Bill wn.s rend a second time on the voices, but in Committee, when the Minister moved to reinstate the clause, it was rejected on tho voices. Mr Stathnjn moved an amendment t>«t the orivilego conferred on soldier snlHtors be also extended to managing clerks. The Minister said he could not accent tlio amendment, as it was opening tho dor.r too wide.. The amendment, was rejected on the voices. The J'ill -.ras subsequently pit through its final stages.