This item has been revised since initial publication.
The Malaysian Bar reminds students who intend to pursue a law degree locally to conduct due diligence when selecting a law programme to undertake, as some educational institutions offer law programmes culminating in law degrees that are not recognised by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (“LPQB”).
LPQB is the body tasked to prescribe the qualifications that would entitle an individual to become a “qualified person” within the meaning of the Legal Profession Act 1976, for the purpose of admission as an advocate and solicitor in Malaysia. As such, only graduates with law degrees that are recognised by LPQB will be able to enter the legal profession in Malaysia. Details regarding the qualifications recognised for entry into the legal profession are available on the LPQB website, at
http://www.lpqb.org.my. There are a number of educational institutions in Malaysia offering law programmes culminating in law degrees that are not recognised by LPQB. It is incumbent upon these institutions to disclose to their students, or to applicants, that upon graduation, they will not be permitted to practise law in the country. Such schools may be accredited with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, but mere accreditation is not adequate to satisfy the applicable criteria, where entry into the legal profession is concerned. These institutions must still seek the approval of LPQB for their law programmes and degrees.
LPQB has informed Bar Council that the following higher education providers offer law programmes culminating in the following law degrees that are not recognised by LPQB:
(1) HELP University College: Bachelor of Laws (Hons);(2) Management and Science University (“MSU”): Bachelor of Law and Commerce (Honours);(3) Taylor’s University: Bachelor of Laws (Hons);(4) Universiti Sains Islam Malaysian (“USIM”): Sarjana Muda Syariah dan Undang–Undang Dengan Kepujian / Bachelor of Syariah and Law with Honours; and(5) Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (“UniSZA”): Sarjana Muda Undang–Undang Dengan Kepujian / Bachelor of Laws (Hons).
It is the responsibility of the educational institutions to inform and expressly bring to the attention of their students that the institutions’ law degrees are not recognised by LPQB, and it is incumbent upon the institutions to do this in writing.
Kindly note that some of the educational institutions above, in addition to offering law programmes that culminate in their own law degrees, also offer law programmes that culminate in law degrees conferred by foreign universities, which may be recognised by LPQB; for example, by way of twinning programmes. With respect to the latter, students are reminded to check with LPQB as to the status of recognition of such foreign law degrees.
The Malaysian Bar strongly urges all individuals who intend to pursue a law degree to verify with LPQB the status of the educational institution and law programme of their choice.
Christopher Leong
President
Malaysian Bar
18 July 2013