LAW PRACTITIONERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15366, 10 November 1920, Page 7

LAW PRACTITIONERS.

WELL^GtON, last night, I In moving the.^|pphd reading, of. the Law Practitiojaert^Amendmeiit r ßlit, fae )ion. Mr. Lee said it was intended tq enable soldier spHcitors to count the period served- af the war in the five! years which they must serve in owteiv to qualify as barristers. There had been a suggestion that the same privilege be extended to managing clerks, but he r was unable to accept that. The Bill re-' pealed section 3 of the Law Practitioners' Amendment Act, 1915, which prevented King's Counsel practising as a solicitor: This has been struck out by the Statutes. Revision Committee, and he proposed to" ask the House to restore it because ho ■ one seemed willing to accept the status • of K-C. if not allowed to practice as asolicitor. , ■'■'■'■'■;■ | Mr. Sidey opposed the reinstatement of King's Counsel as solicitors. The" . change had not been asked' for by the(Law Society. on the contrary many branches were opposed to it. When th« distinction of K.C. was created it was thought it would be merely a personal distinction, but it was soon found it ha!d a commercial Value, and the Government were now seeking further to en-1 bande that value. This legislation was not being introduced as a result of a general wish, but in the interests of a few privileged persons. He asked the Minister to accept the decision of the Statutes .Revision Committee and the remainaer O f the Bill woujfj be accepted without question. ( In committee, when the Minister moved to reinstate the clause it was re-' jected on the voices. « Mr. Statham moved an amendment that the privilege conferred on soldiers solicitors be also extended to managing clerks. The Minister said he could not accept the amendment as it was open-, ing the door too wide, and it wa& rejected on the voices. . The Bill was, passed.— Press Assn. ■■ ;". - -v- 4''