The same statute also contains the following regulations, among others of less gen eral information: That no attorney or solicitor shall have more than two clerks, bound by contract in writing, at one and the same time; nor any such clerk after lie shall have left off business. That all persons admitted as A. of one of the superior courts of law at Westminster may, upon production of a certificate thereof, be admitted in any other court of law in Ingland or Wales, upon signing the roll of the same; and that persons admitted as S. in the high court of chancery may in like manner obtain their admission iu all other courts of equity, and in the court of bankruptcy. That no attorney or solicitor, who shall be a prisoner in any jail or prison, may commence or defend any action, suit, or proceeding in law, equity, or bankruptcy; or maintain any action for fees for business done during such his confinement; and that. uo practicing attorney or solicitor shall be a justice of the peace in England or Wales, except in counties or towns corporate having justices by charter or otherwise. And that no attorney or solicitor shall commence an action or suit for his fees or charges in respect of any business what ever, until after the expiration of one calendar month after a bill of his costs and charges, signed by such attorney or solicitor, shall have been deliVered to the party to be charged; and such party may, on a proper application, obtain an order for referring such bill to be taxed; and for staying all proceedings to recover the amount thereof in the mean time. An order may also be obtained directing an attorney or solicitor to deliver his bill (when he has not done so); and also an order for his delivering up, upon payment of what is due, all deeds, papers, and documents in his possession or power touching the business in such bill comprised. Attorneys may now, under the act 33 and 34 Viet. c. 28, enter into special agreements with their clients as to their remuneration. But this
agreement, as regards suits and actions, must be deemed by the taxing officer or a court to be reasonable and fair. They may now also make it one of the stipulations that they shall not be liable for negligence. But they are still prohibited from stipulating for payment only in the event of success.
The position of A. and S. in Ireland, like the system of law and practice in that country generally, is so like that of the same profession in England, that it is unneces sary here to give any details respecting them.
The corresponding professional class in Scotland was, up to the year 1874, composed of several distinct bodies called writers to the signet, and solicitors before the supreme courts, who had the exclusive right to practice before the court of session; and of pro curators, whose practice was confined to their own sheriff courts. The unsatisfactory relations existing between these bodies led to a revision of the law, which was embodied in the law agents' act of 1873 (3G and 37 Viet. c. G3). No person was thereafter entitled to be admitted a law agent in Scotland except under the new regulations, and all enrolled law agents were to have the right, on payment of proper stamp-duties, to practice in any court of law in Scotland. Applicants for future admission are to be apprenticed for five years with a practicing law agent; but advocates, English barristers, and attorneys are to serve only three years, as also graduates of a university. The court of'session appoints examiners. Any enrolled law agent may be admitted to practice in the court of session. Law agents acting for the same 'client may lawfully agree to share profits and qualify their mutual liability. Existing societies of procurators may admit mem bers as they see fit, but any agent admitted under the act need not become a member of such society.