Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 61b:

In page 71, line 24, to delete “persons” and substitute “individuals”.

This group of amendments tightens up the governance of the new legal practice models, namely, legal partnerships and multidisciplinary practices. This will be subject to public consultation under the amendment taken earlier today in this area. Amendment No. 61bprecludes corporate participation or investment in multidisciplinary practices, and although some believe it should be included now, it might be allowed at some later stage under the new authority. Amendments Nos. 66a, 66band 74astrengthen the regulation of legal partnerships, for example, regarding professional indemnity insurance notification of commencement or cessation while protecting the solicitors' compensation fund. Amendments Nos. 68aand 68bare drafting adjustments, while amendment No. 68c sets out a list of those who cannot be partners in a multidisciplinary practice. Amendment No. 69aensures that a managing legal partner in a multidisciplinary practice is not just an employee but a partner, and amendment No. 76asets out the policies and principles for the making of regulations on multidisciplinary practices and legal partnerships. Amendment No. 76ballows the new regulatory authority to maintain a public register of the new multidisciplinary practices and legal partnerships, which is very important. I commend these enhanced governance amendments to the House.

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