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In re Ark. Bar Ass'n for Rules Mandatory C.L.E

Supreme Court of Arkansas
Jul 20, 1987
293 Ark. App'x 617 (Ark. 1987)

Opinion

85-302

Opinion delivered July 20, 1987


The Arkansas Bar Association has filed a supplemental petition seeking the adoption of Rules and Regulations for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education and recommending an increase of the Supreme Court bar membership dues to cover the costs of a court administrator whose duties, in part, would be to oversee the continuing education program.

The Bar Association first petitioned this court to adopt these rules in December of 1985. We took no action at that time, but allowed a comment period until March 15, 1986. 287 Ark. 495, 700 S.W.2d LXVII (1985). The comments we received were then referred to a special committee appointed by the Bar Association. 288 Ark. 650, 705 S.W.2d XIV (1986). In a per curiam order handed down May 30, 1986, this court approved the concept of mandatory continuing legal education for all members of the bar of this court. We explained, however, that such a program would require close supervision and would necessitate a court administrator to supervise and direct the program. Since we had no authority or funds to employ such an administrator, this court directed the Judicial Department to study the means by which other states' highest courts maintain supervisory control of and support financially their continuing legal education efforts. We delayed any further action until a means of supervising and funding the program was devised.

In the supplemental petition currently before us, the Bar Association explains that, after a thorough study of other states' programs and an unsuccessful attempt at obtaining legislative funding for the court administrator position, the Association has concluded that bar membership dues should be increased sufficiently to cover the cost of the position. The Association formally petitions this court to adopt the proposed continuing education rules and regulations, and to order the increase in the bar dues.

As is our custom, we will allow time for interested parties to study these proposals and, if they deem it appropriate, to file objections thereto. In the event of establishing the position of court administrator and adopting rules and regulations for mandatory continuing legal education, we contemplate increasing annual bar dues from $25.00 to $50.00.

We will take no further action on this petition until after September 30, 1987, to allow time for any response to be filed. Copies of the proposed rules may be obtained from the Supreme Court Clerk.


Summaries of

In re Ark. Bar Ass'n for Rules Mandatory C.L.E

Supreme Court of Arkansas
Jul 20, 1987
293 Ark. App'x 617 (Ark. 1987)
Case details for

In re Ark. Bar Ass'n for Rules Mandatory C.L.E

Case Details

Full title:IN RE: ARKANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION RULES REGULATIONS FOR MANDATORY CONTINUING…

Court:Supreme Court of Arkansas

Date published: Jul 20, 1987

Citations

293 Ark. App'x 617 (Ark. 1987)