17.0 What are the subjects required for the law degree to be recognised by the Qualifying Board in Malaysia?

The law degree SHALL contain a minimum of 12 substantive law subjects,

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

Each of the core-subjects above, SHALL be studied for the duration of one academic year and candidates must have passed all the core-subjects mentioned above.
18.0 Can I specifically specialise into Business Law?

A simple answer would be 'it depends' on what is meant by Business Law. Does it specifically relate inter alia to the law governing businesses, contract, commercial and other laws incidental to business such as those governing interest of creditors(involuntary or voluntary), business premises, etc? Therefore, it seems that Business Law covers a wide variety of core and elective subjects and its syllabus differ accordingly.

Normally each of these are studied as a subject on its own but sometimes it tend to overlap. Therefore, the scope and depth of the subject law students read are different from those taking a business degree.

Such a specialisation can be made by selecting relevant elective subjects in combination with other core or elective subjects.

However, there are institutions that offer LLB (Business Law). It is not exactly business law per se but the compulsory electives (options paper) will be inclined towards Business Law subjects such as Commercial Law, Company Law, Employment Law, etc. These subjects differs accordingly as it is subject to the syllabus of specific institutions.

As long as the papers for the LLB (Business Law) satisfy the requirements of the Qualifying Board and it was awarded from a recognised institution, then there should not be a problem with regard to recognition.
19.0 Are there any specific English language requirement for legal studies?

Normally the requirement for undergraduate level is at least a 6.5 overall band score for IELTS. However, for the Bar Vocational Course, there is a requirement of at least a 7.5 in all 4 modules for IELTS. Northumbria's policy for the BVC is an 8.0 minimum for the speaking category alone with at least a 7.5 overall band score. Masters programme normally require a 7.0 overall band score for IELTS.

There may be exemptions and it is best to obtain more information from the respective institutions. Moreover, the English language requirement above is merely a guidance as it may differ from institution to institution.
20.0 Miscellaneous Links

Justice Ian Chin's notes of proceedings
Justice Ian Chin's notes of proceedings - Continuation of hearing (July)
Solicitor's Remuneration Order 2005
Red Book : Know Your Rights
Datuk George Seah : The Hidden Story
Prof. Lon L. Fuller : The case of the Speluncean Explorers
Full Grounds of Judgment by Aziz Rahim J. in MB v MB suit
Opinion in regards of V.Simakumar by Tommy Thomas
LAWASIA Condemns the Arrest of 5 KL Legal Aid Lawyers
A consideration for foreign practitioners entering the legal profession in Malaysia

A 2:1 is more important because for Law, it's a profession with a lot of barriers and post-graduate qualifications are necessary (think Accountants, Actuaries, Doctors). What that means is if you don't have a 2:1 you won't get a career in Law, whether you attended LSE or Cardiff.

Well, without a 2:1 (second upper), it would be difficult to get into the top firms. Won't kill your career in law tho. You can still get into a good firm and succeed in practice and make a name for yourself without a 2:1 provided u read law in a good uni and appear good enough at your interviews. Top firms, in their attempt to screen candidates, will always prefer 2:1 holders and above from reputable unis.

Hi, I would like to ask, if I obtain LPC in UK, can I be a lawyer in Malaysia. You don't need to tell me about BPTC or CLP. I am clear about them. I need to know more about LPC, as I have intention to do LPC.

Yeah I was a bit loose with the facts, just trying to express the idea, since a 2:1 may be the minimum for professional entry (bar etc), training and apprenticeships, internships etc.

No you can't. The qualification of LPC is not recognised in Malaysia. However, should you complete a training contract and get yourself entered on the rolls then as a Solicitor, you may be recognised.

A word of caution is on the proposed CBC and CBE where the BC and AG intends to streamline all prospective lawyers in Malaya to go through the same entry method. If they were to go ahead with this, I highly doubt that they would deny the recognition of Solicitor in the Court of Judicature of England and Wales. But, I believe that they may require you to sit for an additional examination such as the CBE before being eligible to petition to the High Court of Malaya for admission.

Cheers!

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Added on March 23, 2012, 1:43 pm
Just to clarify that a 2:1 is not the minimum for professional entry or pupillage. As with many things, it may be implemented as a requirement but as of now and the foreseeable future after consultations by the BSB, it is very unlikely to be implemented. The same applies to the consultations made by the Malaysian Bar as regards the CBC.

As regards mini-pupillages, internship, attachments, etc, it essentially depends on the specific needs of any particular employer or chambers.

Cheers!

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Added on March 23, 2012, 1:50 pmI noticed that there are some considerations made towards attending Queen's University Belfast for an LLB and thereafter practising in Malaysia.

Do take note that for this route, you will need to ensure that you take the English Land Law option. Without this, the Qualifying Board will without a doubt reject your qualification in the event that you intend to sit for CLP. The same caution applies to other recognised universities in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Cheers!

What about those law graduates that graduated from a 3rd class degree? Would there be any restrictions etc? In other words,the certificate will be much useless?

What about those law graduates that graduated from a 3rd class degree? Would there be any restrictions etc? In other words,the certificate will be much useless?

Hello,

I have a question...

Will I able to practice law in Malaysia, if i have a law degree from UK university(for example, cambridge or oxford).. Just want to make sure..
Im kinda confused with the explanation.. sorry for noobness..

Im planning do my A Level at Malaysia, though..

hi anyone did UOL external programme in law and do self-study over here? just have few questions regarding the fees and application process. thanks in advance.

The application fee is the same. You just don't pay tuition and any other fees charged by the local tuition centre. The application process is also the same. You just don't get to use the courier usually provided for by the more established local tuition provider.

What you mean by courier? u mean when submitting forms or transcripts during application stage and all that? just confirm again, does our bar council recognise the UK external programme if you choose to do self-study and did not enrol into any private college like ATC or brickfields? still eligible to take CLP right? did you self-study for UOL external programme too?

In addition, I'm just wondering if UOL will set high requirement for those who intend to do self-study. cause it seems during the application stage they made a disclaimer that application would be considered by the university. so i'm just wondering if the acceptance rate would be low. i know for private college the requirement is kinda low. just few credit in spm or stpm can go in. not sure if registering ourselves in UOL website, the requirement will be the same as those stated by the private colleges in msia.

I doubt you will send it via ordinary post. Hence, I used the word courier. Yes to submit the forms, etc.

The Bar Council is not empowered to recognise any qualification. Section 3© empowers the Qualifying Board and not the Bar Council. Last I checked, they still recognise the University of London external programme. It is not necessary to enrol into a private college to study the external programme. As long as you meet the method of gaining admission as required by the Qualifying Board, and subject to other requirements, it should not be a problem.

Self studied for certain subjects.

The standard should be the same. The whole programme was designed to be self studied and it is not necessary to attend a tuition centre.

The acceptance rate is high for the programme but the passing rate is low. You should be able to find this information on their website or the handbook. The private colleges in Malaysia cannot approve your application to study the external programme. Well, last I checked, this was still true.

The external programme is strictly speaking, an external programme unlike a twinning programme or a collaboration programme. You deal directly with the University. The college merely provides tuition to you. You may decide to stop going to college halfway through and it does not affect your status as an external student of the University.

Cheers!

Hi there, do you think studying law in local universities is better than doing law in UOL programmes? Since CLP is hard to get..

Define " better "

If you mean better in the sense that you dont have to take CLP, then it's better 
However, if you mean QUALITY wise, definitely the UOL programme stand out.

If you have the money, why not go for UOL and take UK Bar...You still can avoid taking CLP.....

Hi, just wondering if UOL external programme would be allowed to take UK bar? or it's only for those who are doing transfer programme? if yes, how ? Thanks.