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By Agnes Chow and Nik Elin Zurina Bt Nik Abdul Rashid

Young lawyers' leaders from all over Malaysia gathered from the 9th to 11th June 2006 for a workshop planning meeting at Selesa Hill Homes, Bentung, Pahang Darul Makmur. They flew, commuted by train and cars to reach the destination of this meeting which culminated in the 2nd National Young Lawyers' Committee (NYLC) meeting. It was to be a historic brainstorming of sorts to chart out the future of the young lawyers in the Bar, and armed with plenty of hope the participants sacrificed the opening match of the World Cup which started on the same night.

On the 9th, we arrived safely and got comfortable with our surrounding. Most of us settled down in our respective rooms by 7pm. After dinner, we gathered at Berlian Hall for the first session - Introduction and Orientation. Our independent professional facilitator, Tan Joo Hann, got us going and we had a great time with some adrenalin-pumping exercises whilst getting to know each other better through the ice-breaker segment. In the same activity, we were also encouraged to brainstorm, think, debate and plan on various issues which we might want to cover in the short span of time here. No one should be shy nor be seen as a 'trouble-maker'. (Click here to view the picture gallery)

We had a good mixture of participants from different age group and backgrounds. From the simple activities we had, ideas and thoughts sparked off, and so we were literally on our way working hard at the same time. Before we proceeded to form our vision with 'great plans', and to chart out our course for our vision, we had to be aware of the various obstructing problems. This is simply because an organisation is run by human beings, and being human, we inevitably face problems in communication, co-ordination, unity, time management and with too many people with too many ideas (what more lawyers!).

At the end of the session, we set out the schedule for the next two days. The momentum was to pick up. We wanted to empower and actively construct the future of the young lawyers. We were eager and enthusiastic to represent, protect and promote the interests of young lawyers.

On the 10th, we were given an insight into the history of the NYLC by Surina Bt Suhaimi. We then identified problems that young lawyers faced and start to map out we should do in the context of the Malaysian reality. We brainstormed for the whole day and night and came up with 6 general aspirations which are in brief as follows:

a. To assist the education and enhance the continuing professional development of young lawyers in maximising their potential in terms of producing quality legal work, achieving a balanced and fulfilling career, and contributing to the Bar and social good.

b. To collate and study data pertaining to the practice demographics and working conditions of young lawyers, and to engage employers, the Bar Council and other stakeholders in constructive dialogue with the intention of creating a better and wholesome working environment for young lawyers.

c. To establish and/or re-activate Young Lawyers’ Committees at State levels and to provide opportunities for the effective networking and exchange of information, ideas and opinions among young lawyers of different states.

d. To maintain and nurture good working relationships with other Bar Council committees, various governmental agencies, NGOs, other organisations and the media, and to work together with these committees, agencies and organizations in rallying issues of concern to young lawyers and society in general.

e. To profile the NYLC as a platform for young lawyers to voice their views and concerns on issues affecting the Bar such as the administration of the Bar and professional practice, and on issues of public interest such as the administration of and access to justice, and law reform.

Each goal was immediately set to task as we identified the persons in charge of the same with set deadlines and targets.

At the close of the meeting on the 11th, many of us expressed hope, enthusiasm and co-operation for the plans finalised. Many said that it was indeed very mentally and physically tiring with the serious and at times, heated discussions and debate, with no time to spare for any sort of real rest. Some were mentally drained and found it challenging.

We then held the 2nd NYLC meeting and adopted the plans and vision arising from the workshop, both of which have been included in "The Selesa Conclusions" pack.

We have visualised and contributed our efforts in the great hope of benefiting our profession, particularly the 50%-odd younger lawyers, and the next step would be to effective implementation.

The NYLC is here to stay, and Selesa is where we have taken the first step to build its foundations.

National Young Lawyers' Committee at its Workshop Planning Meeting at
Selesa Hill Homes, Bukit Tinggi, Bentung (9-11 June 2006)

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