PETALING JAYA: The benefits outweigh the costs of liberalising the legal profession as the presence of foreign firms here will make Malaysia a regional legal services hub.
Malaysian Bar president Lim Chee Wee said amendments to the Legal Profession Act (LPA) allowing foreign lawyers to be recruited would help boost competitiveness.
“The Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Bar have been working together for the last 10 years in the drafting of these amendments to the LPA to allow the entry of foreign lawyers into Malaysia.
“Liberalisation is inevitable and the benefits include technology transfer from large international law firms,” Lim said in a statement.
Other benefits include greater competition in the marketplace, diversity of choice for clients and employees, and increase in salary of associates.
According to the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill which is being debated in Parliament, the liberalisation aims to develop Malaysia into an international Islamic financial hub and expand the work, expertise and specialisation of the legal profession here.
It will also allow foreign law firms to practise in permitted areas here either through an international partnership with a local firm or by setting up their own office here with a license.
The Bar Council’s Trade in Legal Services Committee co-chairman Andrew Khoo said the amendments would give an opportunity for local firms to progressively raise their game.
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Kuala Lumpur Bar Strategic Litigation Camp (21 to 23 June 2013) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Young Lawyers Committee and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights, this event will be held at the Firefly Park Resort, Kuala Selangor, from 21 to 23 June 2013 (Friday to Sunday). Click on the link above for more details.
Kuala Lumpur Bar Luncheon: Feast with the Giants of the Bar (22 June 2013) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Pupils Welfare Committee and Young Lawyers Committee, this event will be held at 12:00 noon, at The Smokehouse Restaurant, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, on 22 June 2013 (Saturday). Click on the link above for more details.
The Legacy Series | Gopal Sri Ram Lectures (June and July 2013) Organised by the Bar Council Professional Standards and Development Committee, these lectures by Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram will be held at 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium, Bar Council, on 24 June 2013 (Monday), and 9, 16 and 23 July 2013 (Tuesdays). The lectures carry two CPD points each. Click on the link above for more details.
Kuala Lumpur Bar Seminar on the Torrens System and Equitable Principles (2 July 2013) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Professional Development Committee, this session by SY Kok will be held at 3:00 pm, at Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium, Wisma Kraftangan, on 2 July 2013 (Tuesday). The seminar carries two CPD points. Click on the link above for more details.
Seminar on Medical Disability and the Assessment of Damages (6 and 7 July 2013) Co-organised by Malaysian Occupational Therapy Association, Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society and Perdana University, in collaboration with Bar Council, this seminar will be held at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, on 6 and 7 July 2013 (Saturday and Sunday). The seminar carries 10 CPD points. Click on the link above for more details.
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Circular No 140/2013: Invitation to Public Forum | Environmental Issues in Malaysia
