Pathway to Become a Lawyer in Malaysia through a Recognised Law degree

Education Route to Be a Lawyer in Malaysia

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• Education and academic administration
  • You can work as a lecturer or marketing staff in the colleges that offer Law programmes. Legal knowledge is also useful in non-teaching positions at universities, work in the law library or admissions.
• Banking and finance
  • Lawyers with experience in securities, trusts and estates, tax or banking law, you can venture into the lucrative field of banking and finance. Positions include:  risk manager, estate planning advisor, trust officer, financial planner, commercial loans officer and mutual fund administrator.
• Conflict resolution
  • Arbitration, mediation and negotiation are growing fields employing individuals with legal backgrounds as arbitrators and mediators. Hospitals, school associations, universities and government agencies all hire professionals with strong communication and dispute resolution skills. Note that mediation positions may not be full-time – mediators tend to be retained on a contract basis to assist with a specific dispute.
• Government and politics
  • The federal and provincial governments often hire lawyers as policy analysts to gather and research information, analyze issues in written reports and coordinate the development of strategic policy. Matters involving policy related issues range from health and transportation to education and the environment. Politics is another popular field for lawyers. Positions include speech writer, political fundraiser, campaign manager, lobbyist or even political candidate.
• Human resources
  • Companies need talented professionals to recruit new people and oversee their staff. You can work as a hiring coordinator, human resources administrator or training manager. And don’t forget working within the legal profession as a non-lawyer – inside knowledge of the legal industry makes you well suited for a job as a law firm administrator, head of associate recruiting, marketing director or professional development manager.
• Legal consulting
  • Some lawyers consult to law firms in law office management, marketing and client development. If you’re tech-savvy, you can put your knowledge about legal software to work as an information technology consultant. With a nursing background, you can work as a legal nurse consultant, reviewing medical records in medical malpractice and personal injury cases, providing advice to the lawyers involved and acting as an expert witness.
• Legal writing, editing and publishing
  • A lawyer’s research and writing skills are particularly useful. Several lawyers work as freelance legal writers and editors – contributing articles for legal publications, writing do-it-yourself law books and researching/writing booklets on legal topics like divorce and landlord/tenancy matters for poverty law groups and government-funded organizations. Other one-time lawyers are now legal or business columnists for newspapers and magazines. Still others write content for law firm websites or are full-time editors for bar association newsletters and law, business or accounting publications.

Job Demand for Lawyers in Malaysia

There are 14,300 registered lawyers in Malaysia.

Number of Legal Firms by State in Malaysia

State	No. of Legal Firms
Johor	680
Kedah	273
Kelantan	216
Melaka	211
Negeri Sembilan	263
Pahang	210
Penang	606
Perak	421
Perlis	23
Selangor	1896
Terengganu	136
Wilayah Persekutuan	2009
Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan	11
Total	6955

Number of Lawyers by State in Malaysia

State	No. of Lawyers
Johor	1242
Kedah	467
Kelantan	374
Melaka	412
Negeri Sembilan	433
Others	286
Pahang	371
Penang	1248
Perak	729
Perlis	38
Selangor	3801
Terengganu	244
Wilayah Persekutuan	6741
Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan	12
Total	16398

How do you become a Lawyer in Malaysia?

The 1st step after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels is to find the right college to study your A-Levels, South Australian Matriculation or Foundation. After you obtain at least 2 principals in the A-Levels, you can either go for the law degree i.e. LLB (Hons) from recognised universities such as Taylor’s University, HELP University or UOWM KDU College or take up the UK Law Degree Transfer Programme at the same universities and study 2 years in Malaysia and go to the UK for your final year.

Upon completing your degree, you may choose to take up the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) in the UK and be called up to the English Bar or choose to come back to Malaysia to sit for a qualifying exam in order to obtain the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP).

When you complete all the required exams, you will undergo a 9-month training commonly known as chambering or pupilage. This is the period where one is exposed to the working world of law. You can be paid between RM300-RM1000 for this period.

While serving the 9-month pupilage you will still need to sit through some exams conducted by Malaysian Bar and partake in Malaysian Bar legal aid programme before you can be called to the Malaysian Bar to become a qualified lawyer

Four Steps to Become a Lawyer in Malaysia after SPM or O-Levels

1. Take a Recognised Pre-University Course. Students after SPM or O-Levels will need at least 5Cs or Credits including English and Maths. The internal Foundation is not recognised for students who want to take the CLP in order to practice. Generally, the A-Levels is the best option for students wanting to pursue a law degree in Malaysia or in the UK.
2. Earn a law degree from an approved university. Before enrolling with a university, verify that the LL.B course is an honors program and is approved by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board Malaysia, or by the Malaysia Bar. Failure to graduate from an approved program will preclude you from applying to take the Malaysian Bar examinations.

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3. Complete a Bar Vocational Course (BVC) or Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP). The BVC is offered in Great Britain and is a popular option for most Malaysians due to its excellent reputation and job prospects. The alternative in Malaysia is the examination known as the Certificate in Legal Practice. Passing either one is mandatory to be called to the Bar. Note that graduates of the University of Malaya or National University of Singapore have already satisfied these requirements and do not need to sit for these examinations.
4. 
Sign up for “chambering.” This is a practical training course that lasts nine months, during which the new graduate is attached to a lawyer, law firm, legal agency or other such program to acquire practical legal skills. It is a nonsalaried position; however, most law firms will provide a basic monthly allowance, and depending on the size of the firm this may range from 300 to 1,000 Malaysian Ringgit. During the training attachment, you will still be required to pass all Malaysian Bar examinations and legal aid programs. Only upon completion of these will the graduate be called to the Bar as a fully-qualified lawyer and allowed to practice independently.

The Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP)

This Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) is one of those qualifications entitling the holder to become a qualified person. The examination is conducted by the Board by virtue of section 5(e) of the Act. Applications to sit for the CLP examinations are open to holders of Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degrees conferred by the universities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and certain universities in Australia and New Zealand whose qualifications are not gazetted under section 3 of the Act.

Like all law graduates, CLP graduates must proceed to read in chambers or better known as chambering, which is a form of apprenticeship similar to a pupillage in England. After completing nine (9) months of chambering, the student may finally be called to the bar and become a qualified lawyer. Examinations are normally held around July each year.

Every student is required to sit for five subject papers. The said examination is conducted once a year where candidates are examined on the following subjects:

a. General Paper;

b. Civil Procedure;

c. Criminal Procedure;

d. Evidence;

e. Professional Practice

For holders of Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degrees from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the board has set certain guidelines on qualifications and requirements to qualify to sit for the CLP examinations. The Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) is a course and examination taken by foreign law graduates in order to become a qualified lawyer in Malaysia. The examination is conducted by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia and is governed by the Legal Profession Act 1976. The Board allows degree holders from certain universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand to sit for the examination.

If a student fails one paper he or she may be given a conditional pass and be allowed to resit that subject two more times. However, if a student failed in two or more papers, he must sit for the whole examination again in order to obtain the certificate. A student is allowed to sit for the examination four times. The Legal Profession Qualifying Board only sets the examination and does not provide classes to prepare the candidate for the examination.

Practising in Sabah and Sarawak

To practise law ie to represent clients in courts in Sabah and Sarawak, a law graduate must be admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak. The qualification requirements are the same as those to be called to the Bar in Peninsular Malaysia; however, a pupillage of twelve months is required. In addition, the applicant must meet specific criteria stipulated by the Advocates Ordinance of Sabah and Advocates Ordinance of Sarawak:

• Must have a connection to Sabah or Sarawak– eg born in Sabah or Sarawak, married to a person born in Sabah or Sarawak, or lived continuously in Sabah or Sarawak for five or more years
• Must currently be domiciled in Sabah or Sarawak
• Must serve a pupillage of three to six months in Sabah or Sarawak (for those intending to practise in Sabah, a six-month pupillage in Sabah is mandatory).
• For more information, please refer to the websites of the respective State Attorneys-General of Sabah andSarawak:
  • www.lawnet.sabah.gov.my
  • http://www.sag.sarawak.gov.my

Qualifying for the Bar in Malaysia

To be called to the Bar in the High Court of Malaya, as well as meeting the educational requirements, you must be a ‘Qualified Person’ as defined by the Legal Profession Act 1976. The requirements for this status are as follows:

• You are either a citizen or a permanent resident of Malaysia
• You must be at least 18 years old
• You are of good character and
  • have no criminal convictions in any country, in particular regarding fraud or dishonesty
  • have not been declared a bankrupt
  •  have not committed any acts which, if being a legal practitioner in any other country, would render you liable to be disbarred, disqualified or suspended from practice
• You have served a nine-month pupillage in Malaysia
• As of 1 January 1984, you have passed, or are exempted from, the Bahasa Malaysia Qualifying Examination (an oral examination in Bahasa Malaysia administered by the Malaysian Bar Council).

Entry Requirements by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board as Found in the Malaysian Bar Website

It is very important to check with the Malaysian Bar as to the latest Entry Requirements. If you study Foundation, Diploma or other Pre-University programme not recognised by the Qualifying Board, you may not be allowed to sit for the CLP.

1. Entry requirements

Candidates must have obtained the minimum grades as the entry requirements into the law programmes which are as follows: 1.1 Achievement at the SPM level or its equivalent. All candidates must have obtained a minimum of 3 credit passes at the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or its equivalent which passes must be obtained in the one and the same sitting of the examination. 1.2 Achievement at STPM level or its equivalent 1.2.1 All candidates must have obtained a minimum of 2 principal passes at the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) or its equivalent which passes must be obtained in the one and same sitting of the examination; AND 1.2.2 The duration of the STPM course of study or its equivalent SHALL be a minimum of one academic year. 1.3 For the purposes of these Guidelines : 1.3.1 The qualifications which are accepted as equivalent o the SPM are: a. the ‘O’ levels examination by the various Boards in the United Kingdom b. the School Certificate examination in Australia, and c. the School Certificate examination for New Zealand schools, colleges and high schools. 1.3.2 The qualifications which are accepted as equivalent o the STPM are: a. the ‘A’ levels examination by the various Boards in the United Kingdom, b. the Australian Matriculation examination, c. the New Zealand Bursaries examination, and d. any other qualifications which may be accepted by the Qualifying Board as equivalent to the STPM.

2. Duration of the law degree

2.1 The duration for the law degrees SHALL be a minimum of 3 academic years. 2.2 In the case of a full-time study at a university, the law degree which is obtained must be completed within 6 years of initial registration with that university.

3. Subjects

3.1 The law degree SHALL contain a minimum of 12 substantive law subjects, 3.2 The 12 law subjects, SHALL include the following 6 core- subjects: a. Law of Contract b. Law of Torts c. Constitutional Law d. Criminal Law e. Land Law, and f. Equity and Trusts 3.3 Each of the core-subjects as in (3.2) above, SHALL be studied for the duration of one academic year 3.4 Candidates must have passed all the core-subjects mentioned in (3.2) above.

4. Twinning Programmes

If the law degree is conducted through twinning or other collaborative arrangements between universities in Australia and New Zealand and local colleges in Malaysia, such programmes must satisfy the following criteria: 4.1 The twinning arrangement SHALL consist of the maximum of 2 academic years of study in Malaysia followed by a minimum of one academic year of study in Australia or New Zealand. 4.2 The curriculum and coverage of the 2 academic years of study in Malaysia SHALL be the same as that conducted and covered internally by that Australian or New Zealand university which is the partner in that twinning arrangement and SHALL be validated annually and supervised by the same Australian or New Zealand university. 4.3 The 2 academic years course of study in Malaysia under a twinning arrangement and the local colleges conducting such programmes must be approved by the Ministry of Education of Malaysia or any body established by statute for that purpose.

5. Joint Degrees

Where two or more different and distinct disciplines or branches of learning are combined and studied in one degree programme, that degree is a joint degree for the purposes of these Guidelines. Such joint degrees are recognised under these Guidelines only if the duration is extended to 5 years or more.

6. Transfers

6.1 A law degree from any university is not recognised under these Guidelines if a holder of that degree was in the first instance a failed student from another law school who had obtained transfer to that university from which he graduates with a law degree and who was not required to commence the course afresh. 6.2 Where a student has failed a part of his course or obtained only a conditional pass in any university and subsequently transfers his studies to another university where he is provided credit for any part of the course which he has passed and is allowed to proceed to the next year of study without being required to pass the complete examination diet of the equivalent year that he failed or was referred in his original university, his final law degree is NOT accepted under these Guidelines. This does not include a failed student who commences his course afresh at a different university after failure at his original university and thereafter successfully completes his course and awarded a degree.

7. Modes of Study

A law degree is accepted only if it involves full-time study either wholly at a university in Australia and New Zealandor partly at a local college in Malaysia and partly at a university in Australia and New Zealand under a twinning arrangement as in (4) above.

8. Branch Campus

A law degree which is acquired from any university through its branch campus located in Malaysia or elsewhere SHALL be given the same treatment as though it is granted by the parent university in Australia or New Zealand.

9. Mature Student Entry

IN LIMITED CASES, mature students may be admitted to pursue a law degree. Such students : 9.1 shall have a minimum of 3 credits passes at SPM level or its equivalent, AND 9.2 shall possess a minimum of 5 years of proven working experience in the related field, AND 9.3 must be declared as suitable and proficient to follow the law programme by a special panel comprising of officials of the admitting university in concurrence with the Qualifying Board.

10. Transitional

Rules 1 to 9 above shall NOT apply to a candidate who has joined any of the universities listed in Part Twofor the law degree programme before 1 May 1999.

Top Law Degree in Malaysia at Taylors University

Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels must have 5 credits including English and Bahasa Melayu to enter into the A-Level programme before continuing on to Taylor’s Bachelor of Laws degree. The Law degree at Taylor’s University is recognised by the Malaysian Bar and the Legal Profession Qualifying Board, Malaysia for purposes of the CLP examinations.

Taylor’s University has won many law awards and is ranked Excellent or Tier 5 in the SETARA. Taylor’s University is also ranked as number 1 Private University in Malaysia by QS World University Rankings 2022.

Officially upgraded to University in September 2010, Taylor’s is one of Malaysia’s top private universities. Over 70% of Taylors University’s graduates are employed within 2 months. In addition, the university has strong partnerships with 3,000+ career partners in Malaysia and globally. Taylor’s University is one of the best universities in Malaysia for you to study the Bachelor of Laws degree.

The Best Law Programme in Malaysia at Taylor’s University

The law programme at Taylor’s University provides students with an in-depth understanding and appreciation of legal doctrines and concepts in the various areas of law. Through a combination of theoretical studies and practical exposure, students will be taught how to apply these into a variety of factual situations.

Study of Malaysian and English Law

• Taylor’s students will learn both Malaysian and English Law, providing them with sound knowledge of the fundamentals of the legal system and practices in Malaysia.

Ready For Legal Practice

• Application of legal theories to real-life cases at the Taylor’s Legal Aid Centre, while also developing a sense of community awareness, under the guidance and supervision of lecturers.
• Compulsory Mooting exercises for first-year students hone their legal research and writing skills, as well as boost their confidence in public speaking and inculcate team spirit.

Learning from the Industry

• In-depth understanding and a real-life feel of the legal profession via industry visits to the Legal Aid Centre, Parliament, Palace of Justice, Attorney General’s Chambers, prisons and legal offices.
• Platforms for students to meet and engage with the country’s legal giants and gain valuable insights into the legal profession, through industry networking events.
• Exposure to specialised areas of law and the workings of the legal fraternity through the Law Speaker Series.

Real-World Experience

• 4-week compulsory internship programme to develop practical and relevant skills for future employment.
• Opportunity to carry out attachment at top law firms, the Bar Council’s Legal Aid Centres and other organisations, for students who excel in their studies.

Taylor’s Law Degree Transfer to UK

Graduate with a UK Law Degree from a Prestigious British University. Taylor’s Law School has established partnerships with reputable universities across the UK and you can choose to transfer after the 1st or 2nd year at Taylor’s University.

• University of Manchester
• University of Leeds
• Cardiff University
• University of Sheffield
• University of Reading
• University of the West of England

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Best Bachelor of Laws (3+0) University of London International Programme in Malaysia at UOWM KDU College

The modern law graduate can move into a variety of positions not only confined to the courts.

Law is one of the oldest fields of study, and remains as one of the most sought-after and widely respected programmes in the world. A law degree is the first step towards a career path in the traditional legal sector, whether as a practicing advocate or solicitor. However, a law degree is also one that opens many doors. The modern law graduate can move into a variety of positions not only confined to the courts but may also venture into the government, the public sector, business, corporations and even in entertainment. As the legal profession grows more dynamic every day, there is a demand for law graduates who are holistic in their approach and global in their outlook.

With at least 5 credits in your SPM with a credit in BM and passed Sejarah to join UOWM KDU’s Pre-Law A-Levels taking 2 subjects – Business Studies & Law.

Get a Recognized Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)  (3+0), University of London International Programmes in Malaysia at Top Rated UOWM KDU College

After the 1-year Pre- Law A-Levels, you can either take the prestigious University of London LLB completed all at UOWM KDU College .

At UOWM KDU College, the emphasis is on holistic education and real-world learning giving their students the best exposure in the study of law. They guide students to discover the role they are most suited for when studying law here.

UOWM KDU College Bachelor of Laws (3+0) University of London International programme is tailored to help students develop their legal analytical, communication, problem-solving, critical thinking and research skills so they may excel in any career choice – whether as practicing attorneys, members of the judiciary or other legal professionals across a myriad of industries.

FIRST CLASS RANKING RESULT

By 12% of the students in the Intermediate level.

SMALL CLASS SIZES
That allow lecturers to work closely with each student.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
KDU College students have interned at Messrs Skrine, the Attorney General’s Chambers, The Federal Court of Malaysia and many others.

LEGAL SERIES AND FORUMS WITH WELL-KNOWN SPEAKERS
Such as Associate Prof. Dr. Azmi Sharom (Associate Professor, UM) and Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan (lawyer and human rights advocate).

EXCELLENT STUDENT EXPERIENCE

At KDU College Damansara Jaya, students will go through the Success Programme, which comprises of:
First Year Experience – A continuous programme that eases students’ transition to college, strengthens their academic skills, develops their soft skills and provides them with a platform for career placement.

Co-Curricular Transcript – A second transcript which tracks students’ official record of honours, awards and recognitions, leadership activities and organisational experiences, professional development and educational training, and community service. This transcript, which complements students’ academic transcript, provides prospective employers and/or graduate schools with information on the student’s involvement with co-curricular activities.

EXAMINATION RESULTS ABOVE WORLD AVERAGE

In 80% of the programme subjects.

EXPERIENCED LECTURES IN THE LAW SCHOOL AT KDU COLLEGE
With an average of 20 years teaching experience.

WIDE RANGE OF ELECTIVES
To cater for market needs.

ACCOLADES AND REPRESENTATION
In Malaysian and international mooting competitions.

Entry Requirements into the Bachelor of Laws (3+0) University of London International Programme at KDU College

UOWM KDU College Bachelor of Laws (3+0) University of London International Programme

Pursue your law qualifications with one of the oldest universities in the UK.

Established in 1836, the University of London is one of the oldest universities in the UK and KDU is proud to offer their internationally recognised Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme. It is the only external law degree programme recognised by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia, and is considered the ‘gold standard’ of undergraduate law degrees by law practitioners and academics globally. KDU is one of the few affiliate centres for the University of London International Programmes in Malaysia.

The programme allows students the flexibility to complete it at their own pace (up to a maximum of 3 sittings and 5 years) and to sit for the exam in various locations around the world.

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The Best UK Transfer (UKT)  Law Programme at HELP University

Founded in 1986, it is one of the country’s first private law schools and has been the trend setter in private legal education in Malaysia. 2009 also saw the Department expanding by introducing its own Bachelor of Laws degree and in 2012, the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP).

HELP University, one of the top private universities in Malaysia, offers its own home-grown LLB programme known as the HELP Bachelor of Laws (HELP LLB) which can be completed entirely at HELP University.

Graduates who complete the HELP LLB degree will be granted the opportunity to enrol in any post graduate Master’s Programme at HELP Graduate School (terms and conditions apply) Excluding the Master of Clinical Psychology. Currently, the LLB degree progamme at HELP University is not recognised for practice as a lawyer in Malaysia. You need to go for the UK Law Twinning programme in order to practice.

• Assessment: Assignment 20%
• Final written examination 80%
• Practical Subjects:
• Legal Skills : Assignment 20% , Practical Assessment 50%, Final Examination 30%
• Legal Practice : Assignment 20%, Practical Assessment 40%, Final Examination 40%”

HELP University to date produced 29 First Class Achievers on the UK Degree Transfer Programme (Law). In 2012 alone HELP University had 7 first class achievers from prestigious universities in the UK including the University of Liverpool, University of Leeds and Cardiff University.

All HELP’s 7 First Class achievers in 2012 embarked on 2+1 transfer option. HELP University has been commended by the assessors of the Joint Academic Stage Board (JASB) which is a joint committee of the Bar Standards Board and the Solicitors

Regulation Authority for the best practices adopted at the Faculty level in the administration and teaching of the UK Degree Transfer Programme (Law).

The mission of HELP’s Department of Law is to groom employable lawyers through introducing skills based papers such as Legal Skills and Legal Practice which encompasses soft skills such as Legal Research, Client Interviewing and Counselling, Advocacy, Drafting, Negotiation, Case Management and Preparation, Managing a Law Firm, Criminal and Civil Litigation.

There is also the annual HELP-Skrine Moot Competition that acts as a platform to further enhance advocacy skills amongst their law students.