8.0 What is the governing body regulating the CLP Examination as well as recognising qualifications for admission as an advocate and solicitor in the High Court?

The Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) is established pursuant to Part II Section 4 of the Legal Profession Act 1976

8.1 Function of the Board

Section 5 - The Board shall have the following functions:
( a ) to prescribe the qualifications required for the entry of any person into articles with a view to his admission as an advocate and solicitor;
( b ) to provide courses of instruction for, and to regulate the training and instruction of, articled clerks;
( c ) to provide for the examination of articled clerks wishing to become qualified persons;
( d ) to decide on the qualifications, if any, other than those set out in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition of "qualified person" in section 3, which may entitle a person to become a qualified person for the purposes of this Act;
( e ) to provide courses of instruction for, and for the examination of, persons whose qualifications are not sufficient to make them qualified persons for the purposes of this Act except after undergoing the courses and passing the examination;
( f ) to provide for the management and conduct of the Bahasa Malaysia Qualifying Examination

8.2 Contact

Legal Profession Qualifying Board Malaysia
3rd Floor, Wisma Straits Trading
No 2, Jalan Lebuh Pasar Besar
50050 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2691 0054, 03-2691 0080
Fax: 03-2691 0142

Please contact the Qualifying Board for updates with regard to recognised qualifications as well as specific preconditions to sit for the CLP examination.

8.3 List of Universities and Qualifications recognised in Malaysia
Country Institutions and Qualifications
Malaysia

1.    Universiti Malaya Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
2.    Qualifying Board CLP
3.    Institut Teknologi MARA ADIL
4.    International Islamic University Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
5.    Universiti Kebangsaan Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
*6.  University Utara Malaysia Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
*7.  Multimedia University Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)

Singapore
1. University of Singapore Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
2. National University of Singapore Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
3 University of Malaya in Singapore Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)

United Kingdom
1. The Inner Temple Barrister-at-Law
2. The Middle Temple Barrister-at-Law
3. Gray's Inn Barrister-at-Law
4. Lincoln's Inn Barrister-at-Law
5. The Law Society Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature England

Australia
1. Australian National University Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
2. University of Sydney Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
3. University of Adelaide Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
4. Monash University Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
5. University of Melbourne Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
6. University of Western Australia Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
7. Macquarie University Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
8. University of New South Wales Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
9. University of Queensland Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
10. University of Tasmania Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
11. University of Technology, Sydney Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
12. Bond University, Queensland Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
13. Murdoch University Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
14. Queensland University of Technology Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)

New Zealand
1. University of Auckland Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
2. University of Centerbury Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
3. Victoria University of Wellington Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
4. University of Otago Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
5. University of Waikato Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)

Ireland
1. King's Inn, Dublin Barrister-at-Law
Source : http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/how_to_be_a_member.html

*UPDATED : Eligibility to proceed with pupillage without any additional qualification
Universiti Utara Malaysia
"Government Gazette P. U. (B)119 dated 16 April 2009"
Multimedia University
These 2 institutions were announced under the same Government Gazette.
8.4 List of Universities Recognised by the Qualifying Board

United Kingdom

Full Time Degrees

University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of Cambridge
University of East Anglia
University of Essex
University of Exeter
University of Hertfordshire
University of Hull
University of Leeds
University of Leicester
University of Liverpool
University of London - King's College
University of London - London School of Economics and Political Science
University of London - Queen Mary and Westfield College
University of London - School of Oriental and African Studies
University of London - University College
University of Manchester
University of Northumbria at Newcastle
University of Nottingham
Nottingham Trent University
Oxford Brookes University
University of Oxford
Queen's University Belfast
University of Reading
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
University of Wales, Cardiff
University of Warwick
University of West of England in Bristol

*Credits to jhong for the updated list

External Degrees

University of London - LLB - Law

Source: Part II of the New Guidelines on Qualifications and Requirements to Qualify to Sit for the Malaysian Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) Examination (Guidelines) in Appendix S of the Legal Profession Act 1976 Statute Book.

Solicitor

Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature of England

Source: PU (B) 633/81

Australia

University of Adelaide
Australian National University
Macquaire University
Monash University
University of Melbourne
University of New South Wales
University of Queensland
University of Sydney
University of Tasmania
University of Western Australia
University of Technology, Sydney
Bond University
Murdoch University
Queensland University of Technology

New Zealand

The University of Auckland
The University of Canterbury
The University of Otago
Victoria University of Wellington
University of Waikato

Source: PU (B) 14/2001

Ireland

Barrister-at-Law

Barrister-at-Law of the Honourable Society of King's Inn, Dublin, Eire

Source: PU (B) 341/82
Please take note that the information above is just a reference and it may not be updated. It is always prudent to verify the information with the Qualifying Board directly. There may be specific entry requirements and minimum degree classifications that are not reflected above. I shall not be liable for any loss whether economic or otherwise resulting directly or indirectly from the information above.

9.0 Common legal qualifications

Legum = plural for lex
Lex = singular for law

LL.B = Legum Baccalaureus = Bachelor of Laws
LL.M = Legum Magister = Master of Laws
LL.D = Legum Doctor = Doctorate of Laws

J.D = Juris Doctor = Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctorate

BA in Jurisprudence = Bachelor of Arts in the Final Honour School of Jurisprudence
BA Law = Bachelor of Arts in the Final Honour School of Law

10.0 What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is the means by which a barrister(or an advocate) puts their client’s case to the court, and may be both written and oral. It is a specialist skill, the quality and excellence of which distinguishes the Bar from other providers of legal services (It is a fused profession in Malaysia. However, the skill as an advocate in Malaysia is not exercised by all practising lawyers. Do note that providers of legal services does not necessarily mean practising lawyers.). It is in the interests of the public, the court and the profession that barristers(or advocates) present their cases to the highest possible standards.

Oral advocacy is primarily a performance skill. It requires the advocate to address the court persuasively and concisely, presenting their cases in a manner which is clear, well organised and efficient.

Key advocacy skills include case analysis, use of skeleton arguments, oral submissions, examinations-in-chief and cross-examination, pleas in mitigation and legal submissions.

Source (with appropriate modification): Advocacy Training Council

11.0 Since Solicitors of the law society of england and wales are by reference to http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/membership.html able to gain membership to the Malaysian bar, why doesn't anybody speak of this route. Is there a limitation to only solicitor work or due to Malaysia's fused system, can such a member of the law society also undertake advocate work in Malaysia if allowed membership to the Malaysian bar?

Yes they are able to but in order for one to be entered on the roll to become a solicitor in England, one will have to secure and complete the training contract and it is extremely competitive especially when one is not a British citizen or an EU citizen. Therefore, the preferable route is to become a Barrister-at-law as one will be able to be called to the bar prior to gaining a pupillage contract though being a barrister alone does not by itself confer automatic right of audience. There are a few Solicitors in England who is currently an Advocate and Solicitor in the High Court of Malaya and there is no limitation on their part in Malaysia. Even in England, after the enactment of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, the distinction between a Barrister and a Solicitor has been considerably narrowed.

Besides, the recognition of a Solicitor is due to the powers given to the Legal Profession Qualifying Board pursuant to Section 3 para c of the Legal Profession Act 1976. Considering the tendency of our policy to be very volatile, it is much safer to become a Barrister-at-law as only an Act of Parliament is able to amend it as opposed to mere discretion given to the Board.

Just saying, it's not easy to get a seat in UM's law faculty nowadays.

Good luck