(1) Any individual or individuals who wish(es) to set up a legal firm either as a sole proprietor or partnership shall inform the Bar Council in writing of his/her (their) intention to do so. This notice in writing must be executed by the intending sole proprietor or all the intending partners.
(2) The said notice shall contain the following particulars:
(a) Proposed name of the legal firm in accordance with section 85 of the Act;
(b) Proposed address of the new firm;
(c) Proposed date of commencement of operation of the new firm; and
(d) Proposed telephone number of the new firm, as well as its facsimile number and/or e-mail address.
(3) The approval of the Bar Council is required for the proposed name of the new firm.
(a) In the event that the proposed name is already a registered name of another legal firm or is not in accordance with section 85 of the Act, the Bar Council will issue a letter of objection to the proposed name. The intending sole proprietor or partners shall be required to submit a fresh name for approval.
(b) In the event that the proposed name is not a registered name of another legal firm and is in accordance with section 85 of the Act, the Bar Council will issue a letter of no objection to the proposed name subject to compliance with the following requirements:
(i) The intending sole proprietor or partners is/are in possession of current and valid Sijil Annual and practising certificates (if applicable); and
(ii) The intending sole proprietor or partners has/have obtained the required Mandatory Professional Indemnity Insurance cover for the new firm.
(c) Upon the issuance of the letter of no objection by the Bar Council, the new firm and its particulars shall be recorded in the Bar Council Membership Department system accordingly.
(Updated as at 2 Oct 2020)