Malaysian Bar

Malaysian Bar Council
Majlis Peguam Malaysia
PredecessorMalayan Bar
Formation1947; 77 years ago (1947)
HeadquartersNo. 2, Leboh Pasar Besar, 50050 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: +603-20502050
Location
Membership
Lawyers Profession
President
Karen Cheah Yee Lynn
Websitewww.malaysianbar.org.my

The Malaysian Bar (Malay: Badan Peguam Malaysia) is a professional body which regulates the profession of lawyers in peninsular Malaysia. In Malaysia, there is no distinction between a barrister and a solicitor, in that, it is a fused profession. Membership into the Bar is automatic and mandatory.[1] The bar was created under the Legal Profession Act 1976.[2] Like other bar associations around the world, it has a wide range of functions, including, to protect the reputation of the legal profession, to uphold the cause of justice, to express its views on matters relating to legislations, and others.[3]

The management of the affairs of the Bar is undertaken by a council known as the Bar Council (Malay: Majlis Peguam).[4] The Bar Council comprises thirty eight members who are elected annually to manage the affairs and execute the functions of the Malaysian Bar. The Council consists of the immediate past President and Vice-President of the Malaysian Bar, the Chairman of each of the twelve State Bar Committees, one member elected by each of the twelve State Bar Committees to be its representative to the Bar Council, and twelve members elected from throughout Peninsular Malaysia by way of postal ballot.[4]

Separate bodies regulate the legal profession in the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Their bar associations are known as the Sabah Law Society[5] and the Advocates' Association of Sarawak respectively.

The Council is headed by a President. As of 2019, the President of the Council is Salim Bashir.[6]

  1. ^ "Section 43. Advocate and solicitors members of the Bar". Legal Profession Act 1976. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
  2. ^ "Section 41. Establishment of Malaysian Bar". Legal Profession Act 1976. Archived from the original on 25 January 2008. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
  3. ^ "Section 42. Object and powers of the Bar". Legal Profession Act 1976. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
  4. ^ a b "Section 47. Establishment of Bar Council". Legal Profession Act 1976. Retrieved 12 February 2008.
  5. ^ "Amendments to pave way for Sabah Law Society — Minister".
  6. ^ "The Malaysian Bar - Bar Council Members". www.malaysianbar.org.my. Retrieved 2 July 2019.