1942                                      Vetoes

May 31,1972.

Honorable William S. James
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17, of the Maryland Con-
stitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 418.

This bill permits officers or agents of corporations to appear
or sue in certain matters without legal counsel in the District Courts
of five counties of the State.

In my opinion, any law permitting the practice of law by a non-
lawyer in the courts of this State should be statewide in application.
The ramifications of such legislation are serious and should be studied
in depth to consider the effects on the Court system.

In addition, the Committee on Laws of the Maryland State Bar
Association has requested that I veto Senate Bill 418 for some of the
above-mentioned reasons as well as for others as set forth in their
letter, which is attached herewith.

In light of the foregoing, I have decided to veto Senate Bill 418.

Sincerely,

/s/ Marvin Mandel,

Governor.

Letter from Maryland State Bar Association. Inc.,
on S. B. 418 Committee on Laws

May 23, 1972.

The Honorable Marvin Mandel
Governor of Maryland
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Re: Senate Bill 418
Dear Governor Mandel:

The Committee on Laws of the Maryland State Bar Association
respectfully urges the veto of Senate Bill 418 which would permit
officers or agents of corporations to appear or sue in the District
Courts in civil matters involving an amount not exceeding $500.00.
The measure would apply only in five counties of the Eastern Shore.

While the Bar Association recognizes some merit in allowing
officers and agents of corporations to appear without counsel, we op-
pose the Bill for the following reasons:

1. Representation by a layman would add to actions involving
corporations, the delays to judges and opposing lawyers now encount-
ered when individuals appear in proper person. Valuable time is lost
while the judge instructs and guides the laymen through the proceed-