Uploaded by chancheeching

Handbook

advertisement

The Malaysian Bar

Pupillage

A Practical Guide to Pupillage and Admission as an Advocate & Solicitor

in Malaysia

OBJECT :

The object of pupillage is to give an opportunity to the pupil

to gain some acquaintance with the work of an advocate and solicitor before

commencing practice.

The graduate from law school has at least a basic knowledge

of substantive and adjectival law but the advocate and solicitor is concerned

with the practice of law which is very different from the academic study of

law.

The work of an advocate and solicitor covers a very large field. He has to

know the law or where to find it. The law is a vast subject and no one can

hope to know all of it. A competent advocate and solicitor has a practical

working knowledge of those parts of the law with which his practice is commonly

concerned but he has to know where to look to be able to find the answers to

the questions which his client's problem pose. A substantial part of his work

consists of diagnosing accurately what questions arise out of the situation

presented to him by his client and the research to find the answers.

In addition to this, the two other major parts of his work

involve drafting and advocacy, two quite separate skills but both of which

require a full and exact knowledge of the law pertaining to the particular

transaction with which the drafting or advocacy is concerned.

Pupillage cannot hope to cover all of this. Knowledge of the

law and these special skills develop throughout the professional life of the

advocate and solicitor. But at least the pupil can acquire some experience

of the law in action, of the relationship between the advocate and solicitor

and his client and the relationship with other advocates and solicitors.

The purpose of this guide is to draw the pupil's attention

to matters which he should devote himself during the pupillage so as to take

full advantage of it and get as much as possible out of it.

THE LAW RELATING TO THE PROFESSION

The pupil must familiarize himself with the law relating to

the profession, this includes :-

The Legal Profession Act 1976

The Advocates & Solicitors (Issue of Sijil Annual) Rules

1978

The Legal Profession (Practice & Etiquette) Rules 1978

The Advocate and Solicitor's Compensation Fund Rules 1978

The Solicitors' Remuneration Order 1991

The Solicitors' Account Rules 1990

The Accountant's Report Rules 1990

The Legal Profession (Professional Liability) Rules 1991

and Disciplinary Rules.

http://www.malaysianbar.org.my

Powered by Joomla!

Generated: 3 April, 2019, 13:54

The Malaysian Bar

Rulings are issued by the Bar Council from time to

time. When you are admitted you will receive a copy of the booklet containing

the consolidated rulings and you should keep it up-to-date with the rulings

which the Council makes from time to time and which are published to all advocates

and solicitors.

The rules relating to professional conduct and to practice and etiquette are

very important. The profession is an ancient and honourable one. As a member,

an advocate and solicitor has obligation to the court, to the public, to the

client and to fellow members. Some of these are set out in the Practice

and Etiquette Rules and the rulings of the Bar Council from time to time

but these cannot cover every situation which may arise. The golden rule is

to behave in a strictly honourable fashion at all times. If you are in doubt

as to what this entails in any given situation, you may write to the Bar Council

for a ruling. Professional misconduct including breaches of etiquette can give

rise to disciplinary proceedings against the advocate and solicitor concerned.

A pupil may also be liable to disciplinary proceedings. Part VII of

the Act should be studied with care.

THE DUAL FUNCTION OF AN ADVOCATE AND SOLICITOR

Two basic skills have to be mastered: drafting and advocacy.

Drafting forms the bulk of a solicitor's work and covers the drafting of documents

of every kind. In Malaysia, by reason of the profession being fused, drafting

skills extend to the settling of pleadings and other court documents as well.

Drafting is an art which can only be developed by practice. It requires a thorough

knowledge of the law, careful thinking out of the subject matter and meticulous

and precise use of words in order to avoid obscurity and ambiguity. Proper

drafting cannot be done rapidly. Hasty and sloppy drafting is inevitably ill-considered

and can lead to litigation because of ambiguity, looseness in expression, vagueness

and failure to cover the matter adequately. The ideal is to draft a complete

comprehensive, watertight document expressed with clarity and precision. It

is not possible for the human mind to envisage every possibility which may

occur but careful thought will bring to light those possibilities which are

likely to occur and these can be dealt with in the drafting.

Advocacy is primarily concerned with the pleading of cases

in Court, but it also includes the mediation and negotiation of settlements

between parties, advising clients, and persuading the other side to a particular

point of view. Politeness and courtesy are an essential part of good advocacy.

Advocacy is concerned with persuasion and Courts and other people are best

persuaded by the advocate who has thoroughly mastered the facts, presents them

clearly and puts forward reasonable arguments and is tactful in presentation.

The Advocate must, of course, have the relevant law at his fingertips so as

to he prepared to deal with any points which may be brought up by the Court

or by Counsel on the other side. "le experience in advocacy can only be gained

from observing good advocates pleading their clients' cases in Court as well

as practising it yourself in as many of your own applications as possible,

you can also profit by reading some of the many books on the subject.

THE ADVOCATE’S PRACTICE

The practice of an Advocate may be broadly divided into criminal

litigation and civil litigation.

Criminal Litigation

The practice of criminal litigation, requires familiarity

with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code. The pupil interested in

criminal litigation should also endeavor to gain some experience in the following:-Interviewing clients (in the office, the police station, prison or other place of remand)Applications for bailAttending at hearings where accused person pleads guilty to the charge, and the consequent submission of a plea in mitigation on his behalfAttending a trial-within-a-trial

(“'voir dire") for the admission of a statement made by an accused personAttending a case where a submission of "no case to answer" is made (at the close of the case of the prosecution)Drafting appeal papers (Notice of Appeal and

Petition of Appeal), and attending the hearing of the appealAttending a criminal hearing whenever possibleCivil Litigation http://www.malaysianbar.org.my

Powered by Joomla!

Generated: 3 April, 2019, 13:54

The Malaysian Bar

The practice of civil litigation requires familiarity with

the Rules of High Court 1980 and the Rules of the Subordinate Court

1980. There are other rules also which should be known of such as the rules

relating to appeals to the Supreme Court, Bankruptcy Rules and the rules made

under the Companies Act 1965. Experience as follows is desirable:-Accompanying the firm's court clerk or filing clerk to the Court Registries to observe the filing and issuing of court documents, and inspection of documents and the various

Court registersThe drafting of pleadings and other court documents (including Statements of Claim, Defences, Reply to defence, Summonses for Direction, Summonses in Chambers, Affidavits in support of applications, Order 14 applications, draft orders and Judgments, and Judgments in Default of Appearance or Defence)Attending Order 14 proceedingsAttending to applications for injunctions and interlocutory relief (interim injunctions, Mareva injunctions, Anton

Piller orders), and drafting the court papers for themAttending general Motion hearings in the High CourtAttending and observing civil trials in their various stages from the taking of instructions from clients, the taking of statements from witnesses, getting up for trial, preparing the bundle of authorities, agreed bundle of documents, subpoenas and other documents, trial hearing appeal (if any), drafting bill of costs, and taxation hearingsDrafting opinions, and briefs to

CounselDrafting the documents for and attending on execution proceedings, writs of seizure, garnishee orders, charging orders, bankruptcy petitions, companies winding-up petitions, and writs of possessionDrafting the documents for and attending on matrimonial proceedings such as divorce, annulments, maintenance, custody and adoptionDrafting the documents for and attending on proceedings arising out of road traffic accident claimsTHE SOLICITOR'S PRACTICE

The scope of a solicitor's practice is not easy to define,

and there is much scope for specialization. It covers every sort of work apart

from contentious work. Solicitors should have some experience in conveyancing,

basic commercial work, and probate and administration.

The client will come to the solicitor for advice on all kinds

of transaction some of which may be beyond the scope or experience of the solicitor,

it is essential for a solicitor to be aware and to know when to seek advice

either from senior members of the Bar with special experience, or professionals

in other fields. For example, if a matter requires the examination of lengthy

or complicated financial records of a company, it may be desirable to seek

the client's permission to engage an accountant to do this.

In the field of conveyancing the pupil should attempt to follow

from the beginning to the end as many types of transactions as possible. For

example, conveyances, charges (legal and equitable, including by way of deed

of assignment in case of properties for which title is yet to be issued), leases

and assignments. Familiarity with the National Land Code is essential and experience

in the use of the various documents prescribed by it should be sought. The

pupil should also:

- accompany the search clerk on his rounds to the Registry of Titles and learn how to conduct a title search

- attend interviews with clients on financing arrangements

- attend with the clerk or master at the completion of a sale and purchase

For probate and administration, the pupil should learn to:

- prepare Petitions for Letters of Administration and Grants of Probate

- take instructions on and draft wills

Basic commercial law would include experience in the following:-the stamping of documents (this necessitates familiarity with the provisions of the Stamp Act)the registration of documents (pursuant to the Companies Act, the Hire Purchase

Act, the Bills of Sale Act)the incorporation of a company and the registration of a businessthe drafting and vetting of security documents, such as debentures, charges, deeds of covenants and loan agreements

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

The list set out above is by no means exhaustive. Fields of

specialization include:-

- Income tax matters

- Admiralty actions

- Ship mortgages and financing

- Trade marks, patents and copyright matters

- Land acquisitions

- Banking

- Building and developers' contracts

- Arbitration proceedings

- Muslim law

- Corporate financing http://www.malaysianbar.org.my

Powered by Joomla!

Generated: 3 April, 2019, 13:54

The Malaysian Bar

It is not possible for a pupil to cover all the aspects of

a solicitor's practice mentioned above but as much should be done as possible.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

It may not be possible to see much of this during the pupillage

but it is useful if the pupil can see something of office administration. The

handling of clients' monies is a very serious responsibility and the rules

relating 'o this and the system of handling them must be thoroughly known and

strictly observed.

SOME PRACTICAL ADVICE

The master will be a senior practitioner. In consequence, he or she is likely

to be a very busy person, with the exigencies of practice making large demands

on his or her time. In terms of opportunity costs, the master is doing the

pupil a favour by assuming the responsibilities of being a master. The master

will set aside time willingly enough for the pupil, but the pupil must not

expect to be spoon-fed. The emphasis is not on academic tutorials or discussions,

but on following your master in his or her work, and watching and learning.

If at any stage the pupil does not understand why things are done in a certain

way, he should ask. The pupil should not be reluctant to ask questions frequently.

That is how one learns. But the pupil should ask himself the question first

and try to find the answer. Only then should the master be approached. Time

should be set aside regularly by the master to discuss the progress of the

pupillage. No master will begrudge time spent on a pupil genuinely interested

in his or her craft.

During the pupillage, the pupil should take the trouble to

get to know as many members of the profession as possible, not merely other

pupils. An advocate and solicitor deals with fellow advocates and solicitors

every day in all sorts of matters, and a pupil should make an effort taken

at the beginning of his career to introduce himself to other members of the

profession. This will make working relationships for the future so much easier,

satisfying and personally rewarding. The more friends and acquaintances you

make at the Bar, the richer is your professional life.

A pupil may decide that he will confine himself substantially

to practising as an advocate or as a solicitor. Even if he does so decide,

he should during his pupillage try and obtain as wide experience of both sides

of the profession as possible. These sides are closely related and overlap

and the solicitor must have some familiarity with the laws and procedures relating

to the practice of the advocate and vice versa, Attendance at trials is very

desirable. To hear an experienced advocate conducting a trial or appeal is

a valuable experience. If while attending this, there is a point of presentation

or procedure which the pupil does not understand, he should not hesitate, when

the matter is over, to ask the Counsel concerned. Counsel will always be glad

to explain these matters to a pupil or junior member of the profession.

The provisions for admission as an advocate and solicitor

are set out in Part 11 of the Legal Profession Act 1976. Section

12 requires a "qualified person" (defined in Section 3) to serve a period

of pupillage. The prescribed period is nine months but the Bar Council may

exempt qualified person from any period up to six months pupillage in various

circumstances set out in Section 13. The pupillage is served with a

master who must be an advocate and solicitor for at least seven years immediately

preceding the date of commencement of the pupillage. With the consent of the

Council a pupil may serve different parts of the period of pupillage with different

masters. It is intended that the pupillage will be full-time and a pupil may

not, without the special leave in writing of the Council hold any office or

engage in any employment of any kind whether full-time or otherwise during

pupillage. He may however be remunerated by his master and this is the normal http://www.malaysianbar.org.my

Powered by Joomla!

Generated: 3 April, 2019, 13:54

The Malaysian Bar

practice.

A pupil works under the personal direction and supervision

of his master. The master's responsibility is to see to it that the pupil receives

instruction or gains experience i n the usual type of work normally undertaken

by an advocate and solicitor, and that the pupil has the opportunity of becoming

acquainted with the laws and general rules of practice and procedure applicable

to the legal profession in Malaysia.

THE APPLICATION TO COURT FOR ADMISSION

Pupils are advised to study carefully for themselves the court

application for admission set out in the Act (particularly SS. 10- 19) and

consult their masters if they are in any doubt. (A pupil should obtain a copy

of the Act for himself). As an aspiring advocate and solicitor, a pupil is

personally responsible for ensuring that all the documents for his admission

are in proper order and are filed in good time.

APPLICATION FOR PRIVILEGE OF RESTRICTED AUDIENCE

By law, only an advocate and solicitor holding a current practising certificate

has the right of audience in the Court to represent a client. However, the

Act provides for a form of restricted audience for pupils.

A judge may order that a pupil be permitted to appear on behalf

of the master or the master's firm in which the master is practising:- a) during the period of three months from the date of the order-

- before a Judge or a Registrar of the High Court, in Chambers

- before a President of the Sessions Court or a Magistrate, in Chambers

- before a Registrar of the Subordinate Courts to mention a case, including entering judgment in default, or to apply for bail or to take a consent judgment or order; and b) at the expiration of the said period of three months in chambers in the High Court and in the Subordinate Courts and before any Magistrate, to conduct any cause or matter.

The application is made not by the pupil but by the master to a Judge and may be made at the commencement of the pupillage.

A pupil appearing in Court should introduce himself to the Court by giving his name, stating that he is a pupil and stating the name of his master.

THE CALL

A pupil is represented on the hearing of his petition by Counsel

who moves his call. The master will approach Counsel to do this on behalf of

the pupil if the pupil has no Counsel of his own choice. It is not etiquette

for the pupil to be represented by his master or any member of his master's

firm. The pupil should call upon his Counsel, bringing copies of all the papers

and draw his attention to any possible difficulty that might arise on the hearing.

THE CALL DAY

The dress code at the call is that applicable to all practitioners

when they attend in open court. For men, this means a gown, a white long-sleeved

shirt with a stiff wing collar, a very dark suit (preferably black) and black

shoes. For women, this means a white blouse, bands, a very dark (preferably

black) jacket, a conservative or traditional dress and black shoes.

The procedure in court on call day is generally as follows:

The proceedings are held in open court. First, the pupil's counsel will rise

to address the Court to request that the petition be granted. This is referred

to as "moving the call". The pupil should rise and bow to the Court when Counsel

first mentions the Petition, remain standing throughout the mention of the

petition. Counsel for the Attorney General, the Bar Council and the State Bar

Committee will state whether the petition is objected to.

PRACTISING CERTIFICATE

When the Order of Admission is made on the Petition the next

step is to obtain a Practising Certificate from the Registrar. Section 29 sets

out the procedure. A necessary preliminary to obtaining the Practising Certificate http://www.malaysianbar.org.my

Powered by Joomla!

Generated: 3 April, 2019, 13:54

The Malaysian Bar

is the issue of a Sijil Annual from the Bar Council. The procedure for

this is set out at Section 32-34 of the Act.

INSURANCE

Every practising member of the Bar must be covered by professional

indemnity against professional liability: Section 78A of the Act and the Rules

made under it. The Sijil Annual will not be issued unless this cover is in

place.

Â

RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary duty of a pupil master is to help, guide and advise

his pupil in the traditions of the legal profession and to supervise the training

of the pupil in the practice of an advocate and solicitor so that the pupil

may obtain the maximum benefit from his period of pupillage.

A master should not accept more pupils than he is able to

effectively guide and train. As a general rule, a master should not accept

more than two pupils at any one time. Before accepting a pupil, a master should

be satisfied that he is qualified to accept a pupil in the first place. Likewise

the master should satisfy himself that the pupil is a qualified person.

The master should ensure that the pupil completes the prescribed

period of pupillage. The date of commencement of pupillage should be noted,

and thereafter, a record of any leave of absence should be kept, as any period

of absence will not count towards satisfying the prescribed period of pupillage.

The master has to sign a Certificate of Diligence in

support of the pupil's petition for admission to the Bar. This is not a mere

formality. It is a representation to the Court that the pupil has devoted his

full time and attention throughout the period of the pupillage to the acquisition

of experience in professional practice.

In the distribution of work, the master should ensure that

his pupil receives exposure to as wide a variety of work as possible.

The master should ensure that the pupil is well-grounded in

professional ethics and, in particular in the practice and etiquette of the

Bar.

The master should also require the pupil to read in advance

his papers and draft pleadings or other documents relevant to the master's

practice including opinions, agreements, conveyances, leases and all other

documents which an advocate and solicitor would be expected to consider, draft

or settle in his practice. The master should ensure that his pupil has the

opportunity of attending Court with him. If the master attends Court infrequently,

or if the master has no trials fixed for the period of the pupil's pupillage,

the master should make arrangements for the pupil to attend at trials and appeals

to be conducted or argued by senior members of the master's firm, or senior

advocates of other firms.

Masters should also require their pupils to attend conferences

(both with clients, and with the other p" or parties in the presence of their

solicitors) and negotiations to enable the pupil to obtain sufficient experience

in these matters.

A master should also take a direct interest in and monitor

all work done by his pupil. When the master has obtained leave for restricted

audience for his pupil under S.36 of the Act, the master should ensure that

the pupil is well briefed before the pupil attends Court. After the pupil has

attended Court on behalf of this master, the master should take the opportunity

of discussing with his pupil the appearance in Court.

The master should strive to establish a relationship of mutual

trust and confidence between himself and the pupil. If mistakes are made by

the pupil, these should be drawn to the attention of the pupil as soon as possible,

and the pupil should be shown how the matter should be correctly done. The

master should make it clear to the pupil and his colleagues in his firm that

the pupil is responsible to him alone. As a matter of courtesy to the master

and to the pupil, no work or assignment should be given to a pupil without

the consent of the master. Masters should advise their colleagues accordingly:

a pupil may find it difficult to refuse week or assignment from another member

of the firm. If the master's area of practice is a specialized one, the master http://www.malaysianbar.org.my

Powered by Joomla!

Generated: 3 April, 2019, 13:54

The Malaysian Bar

may wish to consider the desirability of arranging for the pupil to spend time

working with some other member of the master's firm in order to give the pupil

broader exposure.

A master should ensure that his pupil does not take instructions

from clients or give advice, or sign letters of documents on behalf of the

master or his firm. He should also impress on his pupil the necessity for the

strictest observance of confidentiality in relation to all matters relating

to his clients.

The Bar Council welcomes every newly admitted advocate

and solicitor and wishes them well. The Bar is an ancient and noble profession

and the Council wishes to impress on all new members the obligation of maintaining

the strictest ethical standard in accordance with the best traditions of

the profession and a high standard of courtesy to the Bench, fellow-members

and the public at all times. http://www.malaysianbar.org.my

Powered by Joomla!

Generated: 3 April, 2019, 13:54

Download