How to become a Lawyer in Malaysia?

1. Complete a recognised Pre-University or equivalent programme

After completing your SPM or anything equivalent, you can either choose to further your study in: 

• Any Foundation which will take you only 1 year to complete
• STPM/Matriculation/A-Levels/SACE/Equivalent or
• Diploma in Law which will take you 3 years to complete before you pursue your Degree in Law

2. Law graduate from an accredited university

Upon successful completion of a pre-university course, you can move on to pursue a Law Degree. There are two types of Law Degrees available, which are:

• A 3-year programme and
• A 4-year programme that includes a professional year

By pursuing a 3-year Law Degree, you will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to qualify as a Lawyer. The programme includes important legal topics such as the Law of Contract, the Law of Torts, Constitutional Law, and Criminal Law. To pursue this degree, you have the option to attend private institutions in Malaysia or universities abroad. However, it is important to select a recognised programme to prevent any legal practise limitations in Malaysia.

On the other hand, a 4-year Law Degree not only imparts the necessary skills and knowledge but also offers professional experience. Throughout this programme, you will be covered with several topics such as the Law of Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure, and Professional Practice. Typically, only Malaysian public universities provide this Degree programme. Thus, it’s essential to select a recognised programme by LPQB to ensure that you’re eligible to practise Law in Malaysia in the future.

3. Earn a Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) or Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)

Individuals who have earned a law degree must meet the requirements of either the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP), a Malaysian qualification, or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), a qualification based in the United Kingdom, in order to begin their legal profession as a Pupil-in-Chambers, as stated in Section 3 of the Legal Profession Act 1976.

To practise as a Lawyer in Malaysia after completing your degree in law, passing a professional law exam is required. To become a qualified Lawyer, individuals can choose between two options: completing the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) or the Bar Practising Course.

 The Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia (LPQB) conducts the CLP, which is a professional Law exam and 9-month course. There are multiple private colleges in Malaysia that provide this course. The CLP exam is comprised of five papers: General Paper, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and Professional Practice. To successfully complete the programme, it is required to pass all 5 subjects in the Main Examination, which typically takes place in July. In case of failing one subject, you will be granted a conditional pass and given the opportunity to retake the exam up to two times during the Supplementary Examination. Retaking all 5 subjects is required if a student fails two or more papers. The CLP allows a maximum of four attempts, which includes the first Main Examination and three resits. In case you do not pass any of the four attempts, you will be required to register again for the CLP and pay the complete fees.

In the UK, you have the option to pursue the Bar Professional Training Course, previously known as the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). Law graduates can choose between two options to further their legal education: the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) in the UK or the Certificate in Legal Practise (CLP) offered by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) in Malaysia. 

4. Undergo Pupillage (known as “Chambering”)

Pupillage, also known as chambering, is a period of industrial experience or internship that Law graduates need to complete in order to be called to the Malaysian bar. Upon completing the CLP or BPTC, you will be required to undertake pupillage. Graduates who are exempt from the CLP can start their pupillage immediately after their Degree.

During your 9-month pupillage, you will work under the guidance of a senior counsel or master who has at least 7 years of experience, in order to gain an understanding of the tasks of an advocate and solicitor. You may be involved in activities such as conducting research to assist your senior counsel in preparing for a case, drafting pleadings, preparing written statements (affidavits), interviewing clients, and observing senior advocates during court trials.

Pupils are also required to complete an Ethics and Professional Standards course and spend 14 days providing free legal advice to the public on topics such as Women’s Rights, Criminal Matters, Syariah Law, or Migrant Rights.

Upon completion of your pupillage, you will be called to the bar and admitted and enrolled as an advocate and solicitor, marking the end of your journey to becoming a qualified Lawyer. 

Additional note: The duration of pupillage in East Malaysia is different from Peninsular Malaysia. If you want to be admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in Peninsular Malaysia, you need to undergo pupillage for 9 months. But in East Malaysia, you have to undergo pupillage for 12 months to be admitted to the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.