THE President of the High Court, Mr Justice Costello, said yesterday that he hoped agreement between the Law Society and Dublin solicitor Mr Denis Murnaghan could be reached before an action involving the parties is heard on January 23rd.
Mr Eoin Fannon, counsel for Mr Murnaghan, said he was quite happy that the matter could be finally disposed of on January 23rd, when he would be seeking an order to set aside the Law Society's application to suspend Mr Murnaghan's certificate to practise.
When the matter came up for mention yesterday, Mr Tom Fallon, counsel for the Law Society, asked for details and information relating to matters concerning the Revenue Commissioners, and said it would be seeking clarification on a number of points.
Mr Fallon said the society also wanted full information in relation to Mr Murnaghan's plans to end his practice from January.
The society's Compensation Fund Committee was due to meet on January 16th, during which the details and information received from Mr Murnaghan would be considered, said Mr Fallon. He would have to reserve his position until he received further instructions from the society.
Mr Fannon said Mr, Mumaghan's current certificate to practise expired on December 31st and he asked for it to be renewed for 1997 so that he could regularise his position
Mr Fallon said he had no difficulty with Mr Fannon's request. The issuing of the certificate, would be without prejudice to the society's right to proceed with its application to the court to have the certificate suspended.
Mr Justice Costello said it was not necessary for him to give a direction in relation to the certificate because the society could still proceed with its application to suspend it when the case was heard in January.
The judge put the matter in for mention on January 14th and for shearing on January 23rd.