These opening remarks were delivered on 13 May 2026 at the Young Commonwealth Lawyers Association’s 3rd Virtual Conference, hosted in partnership with the African Law Students’ Association, themed “Comparative Legal Traditions and Modern Legal Practice”.
In his opening remarks, Commonwealth Lawyers Association (“CLA”) President Steven Thiru invited young lawyers to reflect on three essential imperatives for the legal profession in these challenging times: to reset, to reimagine, and to reaffirm.
He explained that to “reset” is to return to first principles by upholding diligence, integrity, accountability, fairness, and respect for the rule of law in an age of accelerating technological change.
He observed that to “reimagine” is to approach the future of legal practice with vision by harnessing artificial intelligence responsibly to strengthen legal services, expand access to justice, and protect human rights.
He further stressed that to “reaffirm” is to stand firmly for the enduring foundations of the profession: integrity, independence, professional courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Click here to read the speech in full.
*The views expressed above and in the linked article are solely those of the author. Their republication does not necessarily imply endorsement by the Malaysian Bar.