On 6 December 2024, the Malaysian Bar issued a press release on the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill 2024 (“Amendment Bill”). Once enacted, the amendments to the Legal Profession Act 1976 (LPA 1976) will introduce significant reforms aimed at modernising the legal profession, improving lawyer welfare, and strengthening regulatory oversight.
A key amendment will allow lawyers to establish Limited Liability Law Partnerships, aligning the LPA 1976 with the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012. This will provide an alternative to the traditional sole proprietorship and conventional partnership structures, offering greater flexibility in legal practice management.
Another major development is the statutory recognition of the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre. While legal aid services have long been provided through 14 Legal Aid Centres across Peninsular Malaysia, the formal legislative framework will reinforce the Malaysian Bar’s mandate to act in the public interest. Establishing a principal office will ensure greater consistency and efficiency in legal aid operations nationwide.
The Bar Council’s regulatory authority under Section 77(1) of the LPA 1976 will also be expanded. The amendments grant the Bar Council broader oversight to regulate fees, salaries, allowances, and working conditions for both lawyers and pupils. This initiative aims to ensure fair remuneration, particularly for junior lawyers and pupils, thereby enhancing their professional welfare.
Additionally, the Amendment Bill introduces changes to the pupillage process, requiring pupils to obtain “short-call orders”, granting them a limited right of audience in court. This will provide greater practical exposure, allowing pupils to develop essential legal skills, including advocacy and courtroom procedures.
According to Malaysian Bar, these reforms mark a pivotal step in modernising the legal profession, enhancing lawyer welfare, and ensuring greater regulatory accountability. The amendments aim to improve legal service quality and reinforce public confidence in the profession.