Article and photos by Kenneth Ang, Director, Special Projects & International Liaison, Bar Council Secretariat
Bar Council Malaysia hosted a legal market development visit by solicitors from the United Kingdom ("UK") on 1 and 2 July 2019. This was the first time that The Law Society of England and Wales ("LSEW") undertook such a business development mission. The delegation from the UK comprised 10 solicitors accompanied by two representatives from LSEW.
The UK solicitors were from the law firms of Dentons Europe LLP, McCarthy Denning, Foot Anstey, JPC Law, Potter Clarkson LLP, Wilson & Co Legal LLP, Azarmi & Co Ltd, and Nicholas Woolf & Co. With them were Holly McKenzie and Catherine Brims, International Policy Advisors at LSEW.
Meeting between delegation from The Law Society of England and Wales and Bar Council Malaysia.
The delegation had a fulfilling two days of official programmes in Malaysia, beginning with a meeting with the representatives of Bar Council Malaysia. Thereafter, they paid an official visit to the Asian International Arbitration Centre ("AIAC") where they were introduced to the AIAC's functions and facilities, including the advantages of using AIAC as an alternative dispute resolution option.
A joint seminar between the Bar Council and LSEW was held at the AIAC soon after the official visit, followed by a networking reception attended by Members of the Malaysian Bar. Sixty–eight Members of the Bar registered to attend these two events.
UK and Malaysian lawyers shared their knowledge and experience on the following two topics during the seminar:
(1) Safeguarding Intellectual Property: Case Studies from Asia and the UK/Europe
The panellists discussed how to determine where, when, and how to establish and exercise rights to intellectual property –– such as copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets –– by using cases studies from Malaysia, UK, the EU, and Asia. They also touched on how regional events such as Brexit affect the enforcement of intellectual property rights, and the handling of intellectual property disputes.
(2) Foreign Direct Investment: Issues and Opportunities in Malaysia and the UK
The panellists discussed the foreign direct investment regimes in Malaysia and the UK, investment opportunities in these two countries, and the need–to–know issues for overseas investors considering these markets.
Each topic featured two speakers from the UK and one from Malaysia. Member of the Malaysian Bar Foong Cheng Leong (Foong Cheng Leong & Co.) spoke on the first topic alongside Clive Thorne (McCarthy Denning) and Jason Teng (Potter Clarkson LLP). The panellists for the second topic were Nelson Samuel (Director for Foreign Investment Promotion Division, Malaysian Investment Development Authority), Mark Clough QC (Dentons Europe LLP), and Niten Chauhan (JPC Law). The seminar was moderated by Crystal Wong Wai Chin from Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill, Malaysia.
On Day 2, the delegation visited the British High Commission.
Lunch for both days was hosted by two Malaysian law firms –– Izral Partnership and GM Tan & Company –– that responded most quickly to our invitation to do so. Bar Council Malaysia thanks them for their hospitality. We are encouraged by the interest expressed by law firms to be lunch hosts.
Lunch hosted by Izral Partnership.
Lunch hosted by GM Tan & Company.
Our appreciation and thanks go also to the panellists and moderator, and to the Members of the Bar who participated in the joint seminar and networking reception.
We will continue to engage with other foreign bar associations, and aim to bring more foreign lawyers to Malaysia to engage and network with Members of the Malaysian Bar.
Joint seminar between Bar Council and The Law Society of England and Wales, moderated by Crystal Wong of Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill, Malaysia.
Joint seminar between Bar Council and The Law Society of England and Wales.
Foong Cheng Leong, Foong Cheng Leong & Co., Malaysia.
Clive Thorne, McCarthy Denning, UK.
Jason Teng, Potter Clarkson LLP, UK.
Nelson Samuel, Director for Foreign Investment Promotion Division, Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
Mark Clough QC, Dentons Europe LLP, UK.
Niten Chauhan, JPC Law, UK.