BFM: The Business Radio Station: Legal Profession Bill: Liberalising Malaysia's Legal Sector

Legal Profession Bill: Liberalising Malaysia's Legal Sector

22-Jun-12 13:36

[ Programme Segment: Current Affairs ]

Recently, the Legal Profession Bill was passed, in a move to propel Malaysia as an Islamic finance hub. Under the amendments, foreign legal firms are now allowed to set up offices in Malaysia.
In the following interview, Lim Chee Wee, president of Bar Council, discusses the implications of the Bill, potential issues that may arise from it and whether the proposed Law Academy should be bestowed with powers to grant licenses to foreign firms.

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PK Kee
Posts: 1

Legal Profession Bill: Liberalising Malaysia's Legal Sector
Reply #1 on : Fri June 22, 2012, 04:07:29

In my opinion, the amendments to the legal profession act in allowing foreign lawyers to practice in malaysia was passed in a "hurried" manner. As what may happen in future is not known to us now,the legal profession act should have been done in STAGES, allowing local firms / local lawyers time to adjust to the changes which may affect them directly and for further amendments to be done to rectify or improve current amendments. It should NOT be the other way round. Furthermore, the Legal Profession in Malaysia is NOT in a HASTE to require the expertise of foreign lawyers. The amendments in the LPA is extensive in nature we must admit. As the Bill has already been passed and as the saying goes "Don't cry over spilt milk", the Government and the Bar Council must endevour to strike a balance to protect the interest of local firms and lawyers as well as foreign lawyers who intends to practice in Malaysia.