S.I. No. 204/1984 - Solicitors' Accounts Regulations 1984

S.I. No. 204 of 1984.

SOLICITORS' ACCOUNTS REGULATIONS 1984.

The Incorporated Law Society of Ireland in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Sections 4, 5, 66 and 71 of the Solicitors' Act, 1954, and of every other power enabling it and with the concurrence of the President of the High Court hereby make the following Regulations:

PART I — Preliminary

1.

2.

"Accountants' Certificate" has the meaning given to it by Part V 21 (1) of these Regulations;

"Accounting Date" means the date in each year selected by a solicitor and notified by him to the Society pursuant to Part V 21 (2) of these Regulations;

"Accounting Period" means the period of one year ending on the accounting date;

"Associated Firm" shall mean where the two or more firms have one or more partners in common;

"Bank" shall mean a branch situated in the Republic of Ireland of a bank listed in the First Schedule or any other bank licensed under the Central Bank Acts as the Society may from time to time approve;

"Client" shall mean any person on whose account a solicitor holds or receives Client's money;

"Client Account" shall mean a current or deposit account in the name of the solicitor and in the title of which account the word "client" shall appear, at;

• (a) a bank; or

• (b) any other financial institution authorised by the client in writing.

"Client's Money" shall mean money held or received by a solicitor on account of a person for whom he is acting in relation to the holding or receipt of such money either as a solicitor or, in connection with his practice as a solicitor, as agent, stakeholder or in any other capacity; provided that the expression "Client's Money" shall not include—

• (a) money held or received on account of the trustees of a trust of which the solicitor is a solicitor-trustee; or

• (b) money to which the only person entitled is the solicitor himself or, in the case of a firm of solicitors, one or more of the partners in the firm;

• (c) monies placed on joint deposit receipt except where the payees are all members of the same practice.

"Reporting Date" shall mean (i) the date expiring six months after the commencement of the accounting period and (ii) the date of the last day of the accounting period;

"Solicitor" shall mean a solicitor of the Court of Justice and shall include a firm of solicitors;

"Solicitor-Trustee" shall mean a solicitor who is a sole trustee or executor or who is a co-trustee or co-executor only with a partner, clerk or servant of his or with more than one of such persons;

"Trust Bank Account" shall mean a current or deposit account in the title of which the word "trustee" or executor" appears, or which is otherwise clearly designated as a trust account, kept at a bank and kept solely for money subject to a particular trust of which the solicitor is a solicitor-trustee;

"Trust Money" shall mean money held or received by a solicitor which is not client's money and which is subject to a trust of which the solicitor is a trustee whether or not he is a solicitor-trustee of such trust.

• (2) Other expressions in these Regulations shall except where otherwise stated have the meanings assigned to them by the Solicitors Acts 1954 and 1960.

• (3) The Interpretation Act 1937 applies to these Regulations in the same manner as it applies to an act of the Oireachtas except in so far as it may be inconsistent with the Act or these Regulations.

PART II — Client Accounts

3.

4.

• (a) trust money;

• (b) such money belonging to the solicitor as may be necessary for the purpose of opening or maintaining the account;

• (c) money to replace any sum which for any reason may have been drawn from the account in contravention of paragraph (2) of Regulation 8 of these Regulations;

• (d) a cheque or draft received by the solicitor which under paragraph (b) of Regulation 5 of these Regulations he is entitled to split but which he does not split;

• (e) other money belonging to the solicitor.

5.

• (a) he may where practicable split such cheque or draft and, if he does so, he shall deal with each part thereof as if he had received a separate cheque or draft in respect of that part; or

• (b) if he does not split the cheque or draft, he shall, if any part thereof consists of client's money, and may, in any other case, pay the cheque or draft into a client account.

6.

( a ) which is received by him in the form of cash and is without delay paid in cash in the ordinary course of business to the client or on his behalf to a third party; or

( b ) which is received by him in the form of a cheque or draft which is endorsed over without delay in the ordinary course of business to the client or on his behalf to a third party and is not passed by the solicitor through a bank account; or

( c ) which he pays into a separate bank account in the name of the client or of some person designated by the client in writing.

• (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of these Regulations but subject to paragraph (3) a solicitor shall not pay into a client account money held or received by him which the client for his own convenience requests the solicitor to withold from such account, such request being in writing from the client.

• (3) Where a cheque or draft includes client's money other than money of the nature described in paragraph (2) as well as money of that nature such cheque or draft shall be dealt with in accordance with Regulation 5 of these Regulations.

• (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of these Regulations the Council may upon application made to them by a solicitor specifically authorise him in writing to withold any client's money from a client account.

7.

( a ) in the case of client's money—

• (i) money properly required for a payment to or on behalf of that client;

• (ii) money properly required for or towards payment of a debt due to the solicitor from the client whose money has been paid into that account or in reimbursement of money expended by the solicitor on behalf of the client;

• (iii) money drawn on the client's authority;

• (iv) money properly required for or towards payment of the solicitor's costs where there has been delivered to the client a bill of costs or other written intimation of the amount of the costs incurred and it has thereby or otherwise in writing been made clear to the client that money held for him is being or will be applied towards or in satisfaction of such costs; and

• (v) money which is thereby transferred into another client account;

( b ) in the case of trust money—

• (i) money properly required for a payment in the execution of the particular trust; and

• (ii) money to be transferred into a separate bank account kept solely for the money of the particular trust;

( c ) such money, not being money to which either paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this Regulation applies, as may have been paid into the account under paragraph (b) of Regulation 4 or paragraph (b) of Regulation 5 of these Regulations and

( d ) money which for any reason may have been paid into the account by mistake;

provided that in any case under paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this Regulation the money so drawn shall not exceed the total of the money held for the time being in such account on behalf of such client or trust.

8.

( a ) a cheque drawn in favour of the solicitor; or

( b ) a transfer to a bank account in the name of the solicitor not being a client account.

• (2) No money other than money permitted by Regulation 7 to be drawn from a client account shall be so drawn unless the Council upon an application made to them by the solicitor specifically authorise in writing its withdrawal.

9.

10.

( a ) to show all his dealings with—

• (i) clients' money received, held or paid by him; and

• (ii) any other money dealt with by him through a client account; and

( b ) to distinguish separately;

• (i) in respect of each client all money of the category specified in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph which is received, held or paid by him on account of that client; and

• (ii) all money of the said categories received, held or paid by him, from any other money received, held or paid by him.

• (2) ( a ) All dealings referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of Paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall be recorded as may be appropriate—

• (i) ( a ) either in a client's cash book, or a client's column of a cash book; or

( b ) in a record of sums transferred from the ledger account of one client to that of another; and in addition—

• (ii) in a client's ledger or a client's column of a ledger and

( b ) all dealings of the solicitor relating to his practice as a solicitor other than those referred to in Paragraph (1) (a) of this Regulation shall (subject to compliance with the Regulations contained in Part III hereof) be recorded in such cash book and ledger or such other columns of a cash book and ledger as the solicitor may maintain.

• (3) ( a ) In respect of every accounting period commencing on or after 1st January 1985 every solicitor shall at each reporting date cause the balance between the client bank lodged and drawn columns of his cash book or the balance on his client bank ledger account as the case may be to be agreed with his client bank statements and shall retain such reconciliation statements showing this agreement for a period of ten years from the dates they were respectively carried out; and

( b ) at the same date or dates extract from his clients' ledger a list of balances due by him to clients and prepare a statement comparing the total of the said balances with the reconciled balance in the client bank account and retain such lists of balances and statements for a period of ten years from the dates they were respectively carried out; and

( c ) at the same date or dates prepare a client (or total) control account containing the totals of all items posted in detail to the debit and credit columns of the clients' ledgers and reconcile the balance therein with:

• (i) the total of the balances of the individual client's ledger balances

• (ii) with the reconciled client bank balances.

• (4) Every solicitor shall preserve for at least ten years from the date of the last entry therein all accounts, books, ledgers, reconciliation statements and records kept by him under these Regulations.

PART III — Trust Accounts

11.

12.

13.

( a ) money subject to the particular trust;

( b ) such money belonging to the solicitor-trustee or to a co-trustee of his as may be necessary for the purpose of opening or maintaining the account; or

( c ) money to replace any sum which for any reason may have been drawn from the account in contravention of Regulation 18 of these Regulations.

14.

( a ) he shall where practicable split such cheque or draft and, if he does so, shall deal with each part thereof as if he had received a separate cheque or draft in respect of that part; or

( b ) if he does not split the cheque or draft, he may pay it into a client account as permitted by the Regulations contained in Part II hereof.

15.

( a ) if the money is received by him in the form of cash and is without delay paid in cash in the execution of the trust to a third party; or

( b ) if the money is received by him in the form of a cheque or draft which is without delay endorsed over in the execution of the trust to a third party and is not passed by the solicitor through a bank account.

16.

17.

( a ) money properly required for a payment in the execution of the particular trust;

( b ) money to be transferred to a client account;

( c ) A record of bank lodgements of monies received lar trust, as may have been paid into the account under paragraph (b) of Regulation 13 of these Regulations; or

( d ) money which may for any reason have been paid into the account by mistake or otherwise in contravention of Regulation 16 of these Regulations.

18.

19.

( a ) to show separately in respect of each trust of which he is solicitor-trustee all his dealings with money received, held or paid by him on account of that trust; and

( b ) to distinguish the same from money received, held or paid by him on any other account.

• (2) Every solicitor-trustee shall preserve for at least ten years from the date of the last entry therein all accounts kept by him under this Regulation.

PART IV — Books of Accounts

20.

( a ) A cash book, or books, showing monies received and paid, ruled with separate principal money columns on each side, one for transactions on office account and others for transactions on client account and, where appropriate, trust bank account or, alternatively, at the solicitor's option, separate cash books, one for transactions on office account, and others for transactions on client account and where appropriate transactions on trust client bank account and

( b ) A ledger or ledgers kept so as to distinguish clearly between transactions on client account and trust bank account and transactions on office account and

( c ) A record or bank lodgements of monies received by the solicitor in connection with his practice, distinguishing between lodgements made to client account or trust bank account and lodgements made to other accounts.

• (2) In addition to the books, ledgers and records referred to in paragraph (1) of this Regulation, every solicitor shall keep a record of all bills of costs (distinguishing between profit costs and disbursements) and of all written intimations under Regulation 7 (a) (ii) and (iv) of these Regulations delivered or made by the solicitor to his clients, which record shall be contained in a bills delivered book or a file of copies of such bills and intimations.

• (3) In this Regulation the expressions "accounts", "books", "ledgers" and "records" shall be deemed to include loose-leaf books and such cards or other permanent documents or records as are necessary for the operation of any system of book-keeping, mechanical or computerised.

PART V — Accountant's Reports.

21.

• (2) The accounting date shall be a fixed date in each practice year selected by a solicitor and the solicitor shall within three months from the date on which these Regulations apply to him, notify the Society of such date. The accounting date shall also be stated in the annual declaration made by a solicitor for the purpose of obtaining a practising certificate. In the case of existing practices the accounting year adopted prior to the implementation of these Regulations will continue to be the accounting date. The accounting date may not be changed without the written consent of the Society.

• (3) An Accountant (which shall where the context so admits or requires include a firm of accountants) shall be qualified to give an Accountant's Report on behalf of a solicitor if—

( a ) he is a member in practice of:

• (i) The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland; or

• (ii) The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales; or

• (iii) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland; or

• (iv) The Association of Certified Accountants; or

• (v) The Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland; and

( b ) he has neither been at any time during the accounting period to which the Report relates, nor subsequently, before giving the Report, become a partner, clerk or servant of such solicitor or of any partner of his; and

( c ) Any other persons (approved by the Society) who is considered by the Council to have adequate qualifications or experience in the auditing of accounts;

( d ) he is not subject to the notice of disqualification under paragraph (4) of this Regulation.

• (4) The Council may at any time in their absolute discretion withdraw approval of an accountant and may thereafter refuse to accept Accountant's Reports prepared by such accountant either generally or in any particular case. Notification of such withdrawal shall be sent by the Council to the accountant and to any solicitor affected by it but no reason need be assigned by the Council for the withdrawal of such approval.

22.

( a ) so examine the book-keeping system in every office of the solicitor as to enable the accountant to verify that such system complies with Regulations 10 and 20 and in the case of trust accounts Regulation 19 of these Regulations, and is so designed that—

• (i) an appropriate ledger account is kept for each client;

• (ii) such ledger accounts show separately from other information particulars of all clients money received held or paid on account of each client; and

• (iii) transactions relating to clients' money and any other money dealt with through a client account are recorded in the solicitor's books so as to distinguish such transactions from transactions relating to any other monies received, held or paid by the solicitor;

( b ) make test checks of postings to clients' ledger accounts from records of receipts and payments of clients' money and make test checks of the totals of such accounts and records;

( c ) compare a sample of lodgments into and payments from the client account as shown in bank statements with the solicitor's records of receipts and payments of clients' money;

( d ) enquire into and test check the system of recording costs and of making withdrawals in respect of costs from the client account;

( e ) make a test examination of such documents as he shall request the solicitor to produce to him with the object of ascertaining and confirming—

• (i) that the financial transactions (including those giving rise to transfers from one ledger account to another) evidenced by such documents, are in accordance with Part II of these Regulations; and

• (ii) that the entries in the clients' ledger accounts reflect those transactions in a manner complying with Part II of these Regulations;

( f ) check extractions of balances on the clients' ledger accounts at the last day of the accounting period under review and at such date—

• (i) compare the total as shown by such ledger accounts of the liabilities to the clients, including those for whom trust money is held in the client account, with the cash book balance on client account; and

• (ii) reconcile the cash book balance with the client account balance as confirmed direct to the accountant by the bank;

• (iii) satisfy himself as to the arithmetical accuracy of the books of account by ensuring that the closing balance of the client control account for the accounting period covered by the Accountant's Report is reconciled with the total of the individual client's ledger balances.

( g ) make a test examination of the client's ledger accounts in order to ascertain whether payments from the client account have been made on any individual account in excess of money held on behalf of that client;

( h ) examine such office ledger and cash accounts and bank statements as the solicitor maintains with a view to ascertaining whether any client's money has not been paid into a client account;

( i ) satisfy himself that the reconciliations and lists of balances referred to in Regulation 10 (3) of these Regulations have been regularly prepared during the accounting period covered by the Report;

( j ) make test checks of postings to the client's ledger control account;

( k ) Ask for such information and explanations as he may require arising out of sub-paragraphs (a) to (j);

( l ) Regarding trust bank accounts—

Perform such audit tests as may be considered appropriate. Such tests comprising as a minimum the following procedures;

• (i) obtain listing of all trust bank accounts

• (ii) test check transactions through the clients' or trusts' bank accounts with the related accounts and files.

• (2) Nothing in paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall require the accountant—

( a ) to extend his enquiries beyond the information contained in the relevant documents relating to any client's matter produced to him supplemented by such information and explanations as he may obtain from the solicitor;

( b ) to enquire into the stocks, shares, other securities or documents of title held by the solicitor on behalf of his clients; or

• (3) If, after making an examination in accordance with paragraph (1) and (2) of this Regulation, it appears to the accountant that there is evidence that these Regulations have not been complied with, he shall make such further examination as he considers necessary in order to complete his Report with or without qualification.

23.

24.

• (1) ( a ) having held a practising certificate has delivered an Accountant's Report covering the accounting period ended on the date upon which he ceased to practise and to hold or receive client's money; or

( b ) is in the whole time service of the State; or

( c ) is in the part time service of the State so far as regards monies received, held or paid by him in the course of such service; or

( d ) has satisfied the Society that he has at no time during the accounting period held or received client's money or trust money.

• (2) holds a current practising certificate—

( a ) for the first time; or

( b ) for the first time, after having for 12 months or more, ceased so to do; or

( c ) has satisfied the Council that either—

• (i) these Regulations are not applicable to him because he is employed only as an assistant solicitor by another solicitor or firm of solicitors and has not, during the period to which the said application relates, practised alone or in partnership or been held out to the public as a partner or held or received client's money; or

• (ii) these Regulations are not applicable to him because during the period to which the said application relates he has either (a) not practised as a solicitor alone or as a partner or been held out to the public as a partner or (b) not held or received client's money.

25.

( a ) comes under an obligation to deliver his first Accountant's Report; or

( b ) having been exempt under Regulation 24 of these Regulations from delivering an Accountant's Report in the preceding practice year, comes under obligation to deliver an Accountant's Report,

the accounting period shall begin on the date upon which he first held or received client's money or, after such exemption, began again to hold or receive client's money, and may cover less than twelve months, and shall in all other respects comply with the requirements of Section 31 (1) of the Solicitors Acts 1954/60.

• (2) In the case of a solicitor retiring from practice who, having ceased to hold or receive client's money, is under an obligation to deliver his final Accountant's Report, the accounting period shall end on the date upon which he ceased to hold or receive client's money, and may cover less than twelve months, and shall in all other respects comply with the requirements of Section 31 (1) of the Solicitors Acts 1954/60.

26.

( a ) was not exempt under Regulation 24 of these Regulations from delivering an Accountant's Report in the preceeding practice year; and

( b ) since the expiry of the accounting period covered by such Accountant's Report has become, or ceased to be, a member of a firm of solicitors; or

( c ) as a result or in anticipation of a change in the normal date to which his or his firm's accounts are made up, has sought and obtained permission from the Council,

the accounting period may cover more/less than twelve months and shall in all other respects comply with the requirements of Section 31(1) of the Solicitors' Acts 1954/60.

• (2) In the case of a solicitor who has two or more places of business—

( a ) the Accountant's Report delivered by him to the Society in each practice year should cover all client's money and trust money held or received by him including all monies received by him in the capacity of solicitor-trustee;

( b ) each place of business shall have the same accounting date.

• (3) In the case of "Associated Firms"—

( a ) The Accountant's Report delivered by them to the Society in each practice year should cover all clients' money held or received by them;

( b ) Each firm's Accountant's Report shall be prepared to the same accounting date by the same accountant.

27.

28.

PART VI — General

29.

• (2) Where the Council approve and appoint an accountant, the solicitor shall produce at a time and place appointed by the Council his books of account, bank statements or pass books, statements of account, vouchers, files and any other necessary documents including accounting statements prepared under paragraph 31 (1) hereof, for the inspection of the accountant and shall afford to such accountant all other facilities which the Accountant may consider necessary for completing an inspection and report to the Council on the result of the investigation. Subject to the provisions of the next succeeding sub-paragraph of this paragraph the solicitor shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of such inspection and report if the Council determines that there has been a material breach of the Regulations.

• (3) Before instituting an inspection on a written complaint lodged with them the Council shall require prima facie evidence that a ground of complaint exists, and may require the payment by the person lodging the complaint of a reasonable sum to be fixed by them to cover the costs of the inspection and the costs of the solicitor against whom the complaint is made, and any sum not so applied shall be refunded to the person lodging the same.

• (4) In this paragraph the term "Accountant" includes any authorised representative of the accountant.

• (5) The Council may at any time terminate the authority of an accountant and appoint another to carry on or complete an investigation and report.

30.

31.

• (2) If any sum is due by a client or trust to such solicitor or such solicitor-trustee in respect of costs which have not been taxed or otherwise ascertained the sum to be included in the accounting statement shall be the gross amount received by the solicitor or solicitor-trustee for or on behalf of such client or trust less any credits which may have been agreed or ascertained, and a note shall be appended stating that costs are due and stating the estimated amount thereof, without prejudice, to the taxation of any Bill of Costs in the absence of agreement.

• (3) Without prejudice to its generality the term "monies" in this paragraph includes bearer bonds, securities passing by delivery and all other type of negotiable securities.

• (4) A solicitor shall, if required by the Council, lodge with such accounting statement as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) or at any later time named by the Council, a Report by an accountant stating

( a ) whether or not he is satisfied that the said books, accounts and accounting statements have been properly kept and prepared in accordance with Regulations 10 and 20 and in the case of trust bank accounts Regulation 19 and whether they record truly the financial position of the solicitor towards all clients and trusts,

( b ) if he is not satisfied as aforesaid the matters in respect of which he is not so satisfied and also reporting the balance on the solicitor's client account and any trust bank account.

• (5) A Report by an accountant may, if the Council shall so direct, be restricted so as to relate only to one or more named clients or trusts.

32.

33.

34.

35.

FIRST SCHEDULE.

Agricultural Credit Corporation Limited

Algemene Bank Nederland (Ireland) Limited

Allied Irish Banks Limited

Allied Irish Finance Company Limited

Allied Irish Investment Bank Limited

Anglo-Irish Bank Limited

Ansbacher & Company Limited

Bank of America

Bank of Ireland

Bank of Ireland Finance Limited

Bank of Nova Scotia

Banque Nationale de Paris (Ireland) Limited

Barclays Bank International Limited

Barclays Commercial Bank Limited

Bowmaker (Ireland) Limited

Citibank N.A.

Chase Bank (Ireland) Limited

City of Dublin Bank Limited

Credit Finance Bank Limited

First National Bank of Chicago

First Southern Bank Limited

Forward Trust (Ireland) Limited

Guinness & Mahon Limited

Hill Samuel & Company (Ireland) Limited

Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Industrial Credit Company Limited

Investment Bank of Ireland Limited

Irish Bank of Commerce Limited

Irish Intercontinental Bank Limited

Lombard & Ulster Banking (Ireland) Limited

Mercantile Credit Company of Ireland Limited

Northern Bank Limited

Northern Bank Finance Corporation Limited

Post Office Savings Bank

Standard Chartered Bank Ireland Limited

Trinity Bank Limited

Trustee Savings Banks

Ulster Bank Limited

Ulster Investment Bank Limited

UDT Bank Limited

SECOND SCHEDULE

Accountant's Report

To:
The Director General,
Incorporated Law Society of Ireland,
Blackhall Place,
Dublin 7.
Note 1 Name of Solicitor's Firm	_________
Note 2 Names of Partners	______ _____ ______ _____ ______ _____ ______ _____
Note 3 Address of Principal Office	______ _____ ______ _____
Note 4 Addresses of other offices	______ ______ _________
Accounting Period covered by this Report	Accounting Period covered by this Report
	Beginning on ____
	Ending on _______

In compliance with Section 31 of the Solicitors Act, 1960, and the Solicitors' Accounts Regulations 1984 under Section 66 of the Solicitors' Acts 1954/60, and in accordance with Regulation 22 of these Regulations I have examined the books, accounts and documents produced to me in respect of the above practice(s) of the above-named solicitor(s).

( a ) certain trivial breaches due to clerical errors or mistakes in bookkeeping, all of which were rectified on discovery and none of which, I am satisfied, resulted in any loss to any client;

( b ) the matters set out in the First Section on the back hereof, in respect of which I have not been able to satisfy myself for the reasons therein stated;

( c ) the matters set out in the Second Section on the back hereof, in respect of which it appears to me that the solicitor has not complied with the provisions of Parts II, III and IV of the Solicitors' Accounts Regulations 1984.

( a ) Liabilities to clients as shown by clients' ledger accounts	( a ) Liabilities to clients as shown by clients' ledger accounts	( a ) Liabilities to clients as shown by clients' ledger accounts	( a ) Liabilities to clients as shown by clients' ledger accounts	( a ) Liabilities to clients as shown by clients' ledger accounts	________
( b ) Liabilities to clients as per the clients' ledger control account	( b ) Liabilities to clients as per the clients' ledger control account	( b ) Liabilities to clients as per the clients' ledger control account	( b ) Liabilities to clients as per the clients' ledger control account	( b ) Liabilities to clients as per the clients' ledger control account	________
( c ) Funds held in client account after allowance for outstanding cheques and lodgments cleared after the accounting date	( c ) Funds held in client account after allowance for outstanding cheques and lodgments cleared after the accounting date	( c ) Funds held in client account after allowance for outstanding cheques and lodgments cleared after the accounting date	( c ) Funds held in client account after allowance for outstanding cheques and lodgments cleared after the accounting date	( c ) Funds held in client account after allowance for outstanding cheques and lodgments cleared after the accounting date	________
Where the figures set out in (a), (b) or (c) above do not agree I have set out an explanation of the differences arising in the Third Section on the back hereof.	Where the figures set out in (a), (b) or (c) above do not agree I have set out an explanation of the differences arising in the Third Section on the back hereof.	Where the figures set out in (a), (b) or (c) above do not agree I have set out an explanation of the differences arising in the Third Section on the back hereof.	Where the figures set out in (a), (b) or (c) above do not agree I have set out an explanation of the differences arising in the Third Section on the back hereof.	Where the figures set out in (a), (b) or (c) above do not agree I have set out an explanation of the differences arising in the Third Section on the back hereof.	Where the figures set out in (a), (b) or (c) above do not agree I have set out an explanation of the differences arising in the Third Section on the back hereof.
3. ( a ) Having retired from active practice as a solicitor the said	3. ( a ) Having retired from active practice as a solicitor the said	3. ( a ) Having retired from active practice as a solicitor the said	3. ( a ) Having retired from active practice as a solicitor the said	________	________
ceased to hold client's money on	ceased to hold client's money on	ceased to hold client's money on	__________	__________	__________
( b ) Having ceased to practise under the style of	( b ) Having ceased to practise under the style of	( b ) Having ceased to practise under the style of	( b ) Having ceased to practise under the style of	( b ) Having ceased to practise under the style of
_____________	_____________	_____________	_____________	_____________	_____________
the said _____________	the said _____________	the said _____________	the said _____________	the said _____________	the said _____________
ceased to hold client's money under that style on ______	ceased to hold client's money under that style on ______	ceased to hold client's money under that style on ______	ceased to hold client's money under that style on ______	ceased to hold client's money under that style on ______	ceased to hold client's money under that style on ______
Particulars of the Accountant	Particulars of the Accountant	Particulars of the Accountant	Particulars of the Accountant	Particulars of the Accountant
Firm Name	Firm Name	_____________	_____________	_____________	_____________
Address	Address	_____________	_____________	_____________	_____________
Signature	Signature	_____________	_____________	_____________	_____________
Qualification	Qualification	_____________	_____________	_____________	_____________
Date	Date	_____________	_____________	_____________	_____________

FIRST SECTION

Matters in respect of which the accountant has been unable to satisfy himself and the reasons for that inability:—

SECOND SECTION

Matters (other than trivial breaches) in respect of which it appears to the accountant that the solicitor has not complied with the provisions of the Solicitors' Account Regulations 1984:—

THIRD SECTION

An explanation of any differences arising as between the liabilities to clients as shown by the clients ledger accounts and the funds held in client account and the balance on the clients' ledger control account should be set out in detail and explained fully.

Note 1 Block capitals should be used.

Note 2 If the space provided is inadequate to list all of the partners a separate schedule may be appended to the report.

Note 3 All addresses at which the solicitor practises must be covered by an Accountant's Report. If an address is not so covered the reason must be stated.

Note 4 All addresses at which the associated firms practise must be covered by an Accountant's Report.

Note 5 The original of this report when completed should be lodged with the Society accompanied by a covering letter on the accountant's professional stationery and a copy thereof should be sent to the solicitor.

Note 6 Blank copies of the Accountant's Report may be obtained from the Society on request. The format of the report may be reproduced on the accountant's professional stationery.

DATED this 27th day of June, 1984.

Signed on behalf of the Incorporated

Law Society of Ireland,

FRANK O'DONNELL,

President, Incorporated

Law Society of Ireland.

I concur in the making of the above Regulations.

THOMAS A. FINLAY,

President of the High Court.