How To Become A Lawyer In Malaysia?

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Lawyers play an important role in determining public policy. Their activities may have an effect on people’s circumstances. A thorough education is required to become a lawyer, preparing you for a tough but fulfilling job.

If you are interested in maintaining the law and defending a person’s rights, you could decide that becoming a lawyer is what you want to do. There are many career options that you can take to become a lawyer if you want to serve people.

To make their case, lawyers also have to be very persuasive. You might make a successful lawyer if you have a strong sense of justice and are enthusiastic about upholding both domestic and international law.

You must also be eager to put in a lot of effort. The road to becoming a lawyer entails substantial education, training, and a dedication to putting in more work and making more sacrifices than colleagues in other professions.

What should I consider before becoming a lawyer?

School Commitment

For full-time students, two to three years of study are needed to earn a legal degree. The coursework for lawyers is challenging, with practicums and clinics in the last years of the program that may necessitate long hours away from the classroom.

Law School Expenses

Depending on whether you attend a private or public university, the cost of law programs varies. Nevertheless, the price range of a law program in Malaysia is from RM5,000 to RM50,000 in public universities, whereas you’ll need to pay RM35,000 to RM 100,000 in private universities.

Competitive Entry Requirements

Students with outstanding academic records in both high school and college studies are frequently accepted by law schools. You can still apply even if your academic record is below average. You might want to demonstrate your potential with a strong application essay, interesting résumé, and admirable personal references.

Testing

You must pass the law school entrance test (LSAT), which is used to assess whether you have the necessary skills to succeed in law school, to even be considered for most law schools. To practice law after finishing your education, you’ll also need to pass the bar exam in the state or states where you intend to do so.

Writing and Speaking

A large portion of a lawyer’s profession involves public speaking, thus anyone considering a career in law should be comfortable using their oratory abilities. A lot of the time that lawyers spend writing is spent doing in-depth legal research and case studies. Be certain that you are at ease with both skills if you intend to enroll in law school.

A Professional Workplace

As opposed to some careers with a more laid-back environment, the majority of lawyers work in courtrooms, interact with judges, and represent their legal firms while meeting with clients. During the majority of work hours, formal business dress is expected, including complete suits for both sexes.

Lengthy Hour

Lawyers may be required to complete tasks all day, into the evening, or even on the weekends to earn billable hours, which are far above the typical working hours for many other jobs.

Skills to be a Lawyer

Communication

If there is efficient communication, everyone will be aware of what is expected of them and the actions they need to take. It is important to recognize the importance of trust in the client-attorney relationship. A lawyer frequently serves as a consultant, the ability to effectively communicate with your clients may help them trust your legal knowledge more. A lawyer must be compassionate and effectively explain complex legal doctrines and procedures so that a client can easily comprehend them.

Effective Speaking Strategies

An attorney must be able to defend and argue on behalf of a client. They must persuade the jury and the court that their client’s claims are valid.

Logical Thinking

A lawyer must be able to think of practical answers to a client’s legal problem to defend and fight court cases.

Critical Analysis

Lawyers need to possess good analytical skills. By developing these talents, we may become better communicators, thinkers, artists, and lawyers in general. These skills are transportable and useful in almost every situation. They enable us to deal with problems more swiftly and successfully.

Observation of Details

Accuracy is a critical legal skill that will determine how well your legal career goes. Clients may cease doing business with your firm as a result of receiving emails, letters, or documents that are misspelled or poorly written. One improperly placed word might change the meaning of a phrase or contract. Finding little information through analysis and reasoning might affect how a client’s case is resolved in court. As they build a case, attorneys must pay close attention to even the smallest details.

Research

To find pertinent legislation and case law that can be used in a case, lawyers must be adept at conducting legal research. More than half of the topic is covered by a thorough legal study, which assures you to submit the complete matter to the authorities without worry. It helps you successfully and smoothly resolve the issue.

Problem-Solving

You will virtually always need to use your innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities to outsmart adversaries and get a favorable outcome for your client. Lawyers frequently work under time constraints, therefore they must be able to think creatively and come up with novel answers to complex legal problems.

Time Management

Lawyers must carefully document the time spent on each stage of the legal process while they work for a client since their fees are based on billable hours.

Organization

Lawyers frequently work on several cases concurrently. They must be able to compile data from each customer for use in court cases.

How Can I Become A Lawyer?

1. Complete a Recognised Pre-University or Equivalent Programme

After completing your SPM or anything equivalent, you can either choose to further your study in 

• Any Foundation which will take you only 1 year to complete
• STPM/Matriculation/A-Levels/SACE/Equivalent or
• Diploma in Law which will take you 3 years to complete before you pursue your Degree in Law

2. Law Graduate from an Accredited University

Upon successful completion of a pre-university course, you can move on to pursue a Law Degree. There are two types of Law Degrees available, which are:

• A 3-year program and
• A 4-year program that includes a professional year

By pursuing a 3-year Law Degree, you will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to qualify as a Lawyer. The program includes important legal topics such as the Law of Contract, the Law of Torts, Constitutional Law, and Criminal Law. To pursue this degree, you have the option to attend private institutions in Malaysia or universities abroad. However, it is important to select a recognized program to prevent any legal practice limitations in Malaysia.

On the other hand, a 4-year Law Degree not only imparts the necessary skills and knowledge but also offers professional experience. Throughout this program, you will be covered with several topics such as the Law of Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure, and Professional Practice. Typically, only Malaysian public universities provide this Degree program. Thus, it’s essential to select a recognized program by LPQB to ensure that you’re eligible to practice Law in Malaysia in the future.

3. Earn a Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) or Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)

Individuals who have earned a law degree must meet the requirements of either the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP), a Malaysian qualification, or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), a qualification based in the United Kingdom, to begin their legal profession as a Pupil-in-Chambers, as stated in Section 3 of the Legal Profession Act 1976.

To practice as a Lawyer in Malaysia after completing your degree in law, passing a professional law exam is required. To become a qualified Lawyer, individuals can choose between two options: completing the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) or the Bar Practising Course.

 The Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia (LPQB) conducts the CLP, which is a professional Law exam and a 9-month course. Multiple private colleges in Malaysia provide this course. The CLP exam is comprised of five papers: General Paper, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and Professional Practice. To complete the program, it is required to pass all 5 subjects in the Main Examination, which typically takes place in July. In case of failing one subject, you will be granted a conditional pass and allowed to retake the exam up to two times during the Supplementary Examination. Retaking all 5 subjects is required if a student fails two or more papers. The CLP allows a maximum of four attempts, which includes the first Main Examination and three resits. In case you do not pass any of the four attempts, you will be required to register again for the CLP and pay the complete fees.

In the UK, you have the option to pursue the Bar Professional Training Course, previously known as the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). Law graduates can choose between two options to further their legal education: the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) in the UK or the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) offered by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) in Malaysia. 

4. Undergo Pupillage (known as “Chambering”)

Pupillage, also known as chambering, is a period of industrial experience or internship that Law graduates need to complete to be called to the Malaysian bar. Upon completing the CLP or BPTC, you will be required to undertake pupillage. Graduates who are exempt from the CLP can start their pupillage immediately after their Degree.

During your 9-month pupillage, you will work under the guidance of a senior counsel or master who has at least 7 years of experience, to gain an understanding of the tasks of an advocate and solicitor. You may be involved in activities such as conducting research to assist your senior counsel in preparing for a case, drafting pleadings, preparing written statements (affidavits), interviewing clients, and observing senior advocates during court trials.

Pupils are also required to complete an Ethics and Professional Standards course and spend 14 days providing free legal advice to the public on topics such as Women’s Rights, Criminal Matters, Syariah Law, or Migrant Rights.

Upon completion of your pupillage, you will be called to the bar and admitted and enrolled as an advocate and solicitor, marking the end of your journey to becoming a qualified Lawyer. 

Additional note: The duration of pupillage in East Malaysia is different from Peninsular Malaysia. If you want to be admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in Peninsular Malaysia, you need to undergo pupillage for 9 months. But in East Malaysia, you have to undergo pupillage for 12 months to be admitted to the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.

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Make crime pay. Become a lawyer.

– Will Rogers