I think you will do just fine with your spm result. All you need is ill bit practice speaking and you will do just fine after that.

Actually, if it is possible why don't you continue to do your post graduate degree there if you not considering the bar.

#my2cents

May be in lower courts.

Let me quote you what a learned judge said ""We all know the language of the common law is English and all the case law and textbooks on the common law the world over are written in English and it would be poor advocacy to put your case to the tribunal with translations from the English text.....Always apply for permission to address the court in English." - Dato N.H. Chan, former Court of Appeal Judge"

My learned friend,

His lordship merely reiterated the trite law.

Nothwithstanding, his lordship also served as the Lord of appeal.

It is my humble submission that what has been opined by His Lordship is binding upon the lower courts.

In my honest opinion, all you need is lil' bit practice speaking the language.

Other than that, you will be perfectly fine with it. Please do not give so much importance to the extent, it deters you from practicing as a lawyer.

Even if with the mastery over the language, you will be limited with Malay language law reports only and not to the vast knowledge of the entire common law.

On the other hand, I would like to bring your attention to the Teoh Beng Hock's Inquest.

The prosecutor is a very good cross-examiner but his expertise was limited by his mastery over the English language which led him to poor choice of vocabulary. Hence, the poor cross-examination.



**This style of cross-examination is called hand-in-hand approach.

This post has been edited by qazhang: May 5 2015, 01:39 PM

I suggested you that because i have a friend, who did his masters immediately after his undergraduate studies.

All in UK.

I asked him why didn't he take up the bar instead.

According to him, he can always come back and do clp at the fraction of the cost of the bar.

And getting a postgraduate degree from a reputable uni would be an added advantage for him.

True enough, he got back with his LLM and did his CLP.

Now he is with one of the 3S in KL.

My personal opinion on this is this.

If it is one of your personal goal to do a postgraduate degree (self-actualisation)/ it gives you an edge over the rest in that particular area of the law/ or you want to become the leading expert in that particular area of the law, then by all means go for it.

If not, just comeback and do your clp. ( )

Yes, true to some extent. Because it is called Juris Doctorate in US, and you're permitted to do only after your first undergraduate degree.

However, it is different with LLM. LLM is a postgraduate degree therefore is.

So, you only have to sit for the state bar exam.

Shouldn't be a problem with NY bar.

Having US law degree is a bit different. Go through the first few posts in this thread.

It should be there explaining how one could get admitted to the bar.

On the basis that you are a Malaysian, you have to sit for Bahasa Malaysia (Malay Language) paper in order to qualify as an advocate. (provided your law degree is recognised too)

Where did you do you IB?

I don't know the level of difficulty for that paper. However, it is reasonably safe to assume that it should be equivalent to an SPM level.

Cause on LPQB it only states that candidates must have credit in BM at SPM level.

Yes. Malaysian courts practices 2 languages, namely Malay and English. Therefore it is expected of a candidate to maintain a certain degree of proficiency in these languages.

How good is your Malay language? [if you think you need help, may be you can invest in some Malay books and spend some time learning the language throughout your undergraduate course]

Hey does anyone else watches legal tv series (preferably UK)?

I have New Street Legal, North Square, Silk, Rumpole of the Bailey, Judge John Deed, Criminal Justice, Crown Court, Kavanagh QC, Law and Order UK, Garrow's Law, The Brief and The Main Chance.

I am looking for more and open to suggestions if you know any other legal tv series.

The governing body for legal education / qualification is LPQB. Qualifications

Other than those listed, you are required to undertake CLP.

Even if you have been admitted to a foreign bar, you must have certain number of 'years of standing' before you can move your call to the Malaysian bar (without CLP)

Even before you move your call to the bar in Aus / NZ, you have to meet their respective bar qualifications.

True that, you must have sufficient proficiency over the language in order to comprehend case laws.

But may be you are over emphasising on the extraordinary english skills of a lawyer.

Practice is the way. Dont feel discouraged. Keep working hard and smart.

The moment you graduate, you have to get used to the phrase

"what? this is very simple? how can you not know?"

The answer to your question is yes. Employers expect students to have internship experiences working in a LAW FIRM.

The moment you graduate they expect you to know everything.

But being honest with your employer can help you in the long run. Just let them know that you have no prior experience, at least your employer will be lenient on you.

But you have to put in the effort and gain as much as exp as you can.

What are you learning?

You are worried what you will be learning about law in future? or

You are attending law classes, but unable to comprehend the lectures?

Lawyers are not always have to be good at debating.

Every time an argument or a point of law arises, you have to put forth your contention in the most concise and clearest oration possible.

That does not mean that you have to stand your ground and vehemently hold on to it.

You have to be diplomatic at the same time. and from what I see instead of focusing too much on communication skills, may be you can learn one or to two things about social skills, advocacy skills and other skills which can help you to progress in the legal vocation.

If you find that you lack speaking skills, make attempt to master it. join toastmasters club or join public speaking workshops. This would definitely improve your speech impairment and also boost your confidence to speak.

Grammar not so good : attend classes to improve your language.

There is nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone was a beginner once.

The legal titans have always preached that nothing comes short of labour. even natural talent has to make way for it.

therefore, work hard and work smart.

I don't think you should be that worried about future. Get through your spm first.

If you enrol in Jan 2016, you will be sitting for exams in 2017.
You will be sitting for clp in 2020.

the 'three years' golden rule

Guide to surviving in law firms.

Rule #1: There is not such thing as spoonfeeding.

Now, if you can elaborate more on your degree, locality, class of honours, etc. can provide some guidance to narrow down possible choices.

Unless

Tan Sri Cecil Abraham is a very busy man. If you are looking forward to a mentor-mentee learning style, it is going to be very difficult.
High profiled lawyer and his clientele consists of high profile businessman, corporation and etc. He regularly represents them in ADR. I'm not sure of his status in court litigation. His son is also a lawyer.

Vinayak. I personally have no knowledge therefore I shall refrain from providing my input on this. However, Skrine is one of the three Ss namely (Shearn Delamore, Skrine and Shok Lin Bok. Impressive clientele ranging from GLC to private business titans. Competitive remuneration and attractive salary package. The problem with big firms is that the partner will have 3 senior LAs, 5 junior LAs, paralegals working for him, you should be expecting to spend more time with his staff than with him. You have to climb the hierarchy over the years, to work directly for him. Advantages: Instead of being placed under one specifc department, you can request to be put in rotation within other departments such as, litigation, conveyance, corporate and etc. You will have a wholistic view and practice of how things move around in the firm. You will have to wait for a long time until they know that you exist in the firm.

Thomas Philip - Student friendly. He annually hosts ALSA internships for law students. Received good reviews. Medium tier firm. Its possible for you to learn directly from Mr. Philip.

Other lawyers that you can consider,

GK Ganesan. Student friendly. He was one of the judges for LAWASIA Moot Competition (I my my memory serves me correctly, the moot problem was about arbitration). Knowledgeable man.

Robert Lazar.

Firm: Chooi & Co. Very competitive. If you are looking forward to learn from as many people as you can, this is the firm. Their partners are actively involved in Bar Council and Malaysian Bar. Current Managing Partner is the former Bar president.

Ram Rais & Partners. Small firm. Syah can really be a good mentor.


Actually, I cannot decide for you. At the end of the day, it all boils down to your personal preference and expectations.

This post has been edited by qazhang: Jan 26 2016, 05:32 PM