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STATEMENT OF THE 3RD NATIONAL YOUNG LAWYERS CONVENTION 2008

WHEREAS civil and democratic societies recognise the need for a competent, independent and impartial body of legally trained persons to promote and secure the administration of justice, provide legal services and uphold the rule of law and the Federal Constitution;

RECOGNISING that young lawyers and pupils are the future of the Malaysian Bar and have the potential to be a powerful force in the administration of justice without fear or favour;

RECOGNISING that the National Young Lawyers Committee (“NYLC”) and the respective State Bar Young Lawyers Committees are appropriate platforms to promote, manage and assist in the development of young lawyers;

RECOGNISING that the landscape for the mode of communication has changed in light of the developments in information technology and in recognition of the need to communicate with all members of the Malaysian Bar on a regular basis;

REAFFIRMING the Plan of Action and Vision known as the ‘Selesa Conclusions’ adopted on 11 June 2006 at Selesa Hills Homes, Bentung which states as follows, among others:

a. We reaffirm that the NYLC aims to represent, protect and promote the interests of young lawyers of the Bar and to empower them to contribute to social good.

b. We recognise the following as the core aspirations of the NYLC:

(i) 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.

(ii) 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 organisations in rallying issues of concern affecting young lawyers and society in general.

(iii) 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.

(iv) To collate and study data pertaining to the demographics of practice 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.

(v) To assist the education and enhance the 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.

TAKING NOTE of the NYLC’s Working Conditions Survey Report dated 26 October 2007;

WE CALL FOR THE FOLLOWING:

1. That all members of the Bar and pupils-in-chambers strongly support and encourage the existence and/or re-activation of the Young Lawyers Committees (“YLCs”) of the State Bars.

2. That YLCs at all State Bars continue to exist and if abolished, to be re-activated immediately, and the NYLC continues to exist consistent with the Bar Council’s decision of 2 December 2006.

3. That the Bar Council carries out and does all that is necessary to ensure that YLCs continue to be a mandatory committee in every State Bar.

4. That the following plan of activities be strongly recommended, encouraged and actively pursued by the respective YLCs of the State Bars:

(a) To continue to represent the views and promote the interests of the young lawyers in relation to issues of practice, areas of concern and rights at the Bar.

(b) To carry out appropriate community projects to assist the less privileged members of society.

(c) To support, defend and/or take up human rights issues domestically and internationally.

(d) To actively support legal aid and legal aid centres all over Malaysia.

(e) To organise and/or participate in Bar-led sporting, social and recreational events.

(f) To continue engaging and building close relationships with all institutions of higher learning and Government agencies/ministries.

(g) To build, network and maintain a working relationship with other professional bodies and civil society organisations.

5. That the training and development of young lawyers be organised internally by the Bar, and be encouraged and embraced.

6. That the Bar Council, State Bar Committees, law firms and all lawyers take all necessary steps to be electronically connected and have access to the Malaysian Bar website which includes undertaking programmes to create and enhance awareness among members of the Bar on issues relating to information technology.

7. That the Bar Council, State Bar Committees, law firms and all lawyers take all necessary steps to address the issues identified in the Working Conditions Survey Report dated 26 October 2007.

8. That the NYLC and YLCs of the State Bars engage and negotiate with employers on the issues identified in the Working Conditions Survey Report dated 26 October 2007.

Dated this 20th day of January 2008
Resolved at the 3rd Young Lawyers Convention 2008, Penang

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