Johore Bar Reference – for departed colleagues 30.6.2026:
Johore Bar Reference Proceedings (Part 1)
As lawyers, we often speak of cases, principles, and outcomes. Yet behind every point taken, behind every submission made, lies a human story—one marked by long hours, quiet sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to the cause of justice. Much of this labour passes without recognition or record, but it is these very efforts that sustain the fabric of our system of justice. It is through such unseen dedication that the administration of justice, and its integrity, are preserved. The members we honour today were part of that enduring enterprise.
JBC Hi-tea
JBC Hi-tea welcoming new judges!
Anti-Bullying Tribunal
The ‘offender’ minor (aka kaki buli, gangster sekolah, taiko kelas) can now be ordered to pay compensation up to RM250,000. Parents beware. The liability to pay transfers to the parents (!). The parents can also be ordered to undergo mandatory counseling and parenting support programs along with the ‘buli’ child. Time to pay more attention to children. Congratulations to all those appointed. All the best to the parents!
Mybar Games 2026
Well done to Kelantan Bar , Chairman Ahmad aka Saya Ahmad , Roshalizawati aka Leeza Muhammad and the Kel Bar Commitee and sub-comms members for the successful organisation of the 2026 MyBar Games followed by the closing dinner last night. Hosting hundreds of lawyers from 12 states not easy, indeed, especially in a state that is unique on its own. Congratulations to the winners, well done to the participants and supporters!
Legal Symposium on Children’s Rights to Access to Justice and Effective Remedies
Pejabat Ketua Pendaftar Mahkamah Persekutuan (PKPMP) telah dijemput sebagai pempamer bagi pameran Mahkamah Bergerak Kanak-kanak bersempena dengan “Legal Symposium on Children’s Rights to Access to Justice and Effective Remedies” yang telah dianjurkan secara bersama oleh Badan Peguam Malaysia dan SUHAKAM di Wisma Badan Peguam Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Peserta seminar, penceramah dan moderator yang terlibat telah turut dijemput untuk bersama-sama menyaksikan kemudahan Mahkamah Bergerak Kanak-kanak yang terdiri daripada sebuah van saksi kanak-kanak (Victim Nexus to Justice/ VNEJ) dan juga lori Mahkamah bergerak (Vehicle for Nationwide Justice/ VNJ) yang di letakkan di ruang tepi Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, berhadapan bangunan Wisma Badan Peguam Malaysia. Antara yang hadir melawat dan telah diberikan penerangan berkenaan pelaksanaan dan pengoperasian Mahkamah Bergerak Kanak-kanak ialah Professor Dr. Ton Liefaard yang juga Pemegang Kerusi UNICEF Chair in Children’s Rights di Universiteit Leiden, Belanda dan Rehana Dole, Programme Manager di UNICEF Chair in Children’s Rights yang turut disertai oleh pemimpin-pemimpin CSO (Civil Society Organisation), wakil SUHAKAM, peguam, tenaga pengajar universiti dan para pelajar. Para pelancong dan orang awam yang berada di sekitar Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad turut berpeluang untuk menyaksikan pameran ini dan telah menunjukkan keterujaan mereka atas inisiatif ini. Sesungguhnya peluang dan kerjasama seperti ini antara PKPMP dan agensi pemegang taruh seperti Badan Peguam dan SUHAKAM telah dapat memberi manfaat yang besar dan pemahaman yang menyeluruh berkenaan pengoperasian mahkamah sekaligus meluaskan akses kepada keadilan kepada semua. #MADANIBekerja #MalaysiaMadani #JabatanPerdanaMenteri #MYJudiciary #TaatSetia
Remedies in Tort
Joint lecture with senior member Jaspal Singh Gill for Multimedia University Melaka students on ‘Remedies in Tort’ earlier today. An opportunity to share with students the key principles for damages in Tort – pleadings, causation, remoteness, reasonableness and types of damages in Tort.
LABOUR DAY
HAPPY LABOUR DAY to all lawyers labouring out there day in day out with killing deadlines, nightmare opponents, discounty clients, gossipy colleagues; Where ‘urgent’ means yesterday, ‘short’ means 50 pages, ‘quick call’ steals an hour; Where sleep is optional, weekends are fictional, and clients missing after every bill; Here’s to surviving clients, nightmare opponents, late evening emails, and of course, our lovely ever-patient judges — occasionally reminding “counsel, how long more you will take!” May your files close themselves, your clients pay on time, your opponents be punctual and your judges read their files! HAPPY LABOUR DAY — because if anyone truly understands labour, its us, LAWYERS! 😆😆😆 R. JAYABALAN
STILL STANDING: Small Firm Stories, Challenges & Solutions
Most of us started with a dream: freedom, unlimited potential, and keeping all the money. Then reality hit. This week, the Kelantan Bar Committee hosted a talk by Mr. Jayabalan on “STILL STANDING: Small Firm Stories, Challenges & Solutions.” It wasn’t just another CPD session. It was a masterclass in survival. For those of us running firms with ≤5 lawyers (that’s 70% of us), here are the 8 brutally honest lessons that stopped me mid-scroll: 1. Client Management (The “Anak Guam” Reality Check) · Your client is not your friend. They are a potential enemy who can sue you. · Golden rule: Always have a Warrant to Act in writing. Fees, scope, everything. You don’t need a happy client. You need a satisfied one. 2. Financial Management · Stop competing on salary. You’ll lose. · But here’s the hack: Group Law Practice. 7 firms, one building. Share staff, machines, subscriptions. The rules allow it. 3. Fees Recovery (Stop Undercutting!) · Contingency fees? Illegal. Conditional/Success fees? Different story. · Charge high upfront. Court limits have gone up 4x (RM1mil for Sessions Court now). · And please—fix an appointment for consultations. Stop giving free advice over the phone. 4. Staff Management · Hire for adaptability. School leavers are teachable. 5. Succession Planning (The Dark Truth) · If you’re a Sole Proprietor and you die or become incapacitated? The Bar Council will step in. They act like a liquidator. · Groom a successor. Or go into partnership. 6. Risk Management · You can be sued for negligence. Or face criminal charges. · Conveyancing checklist? Already available at the Bar Council. Use it. 7. Market Positioning (The Gossip Rule) · “Gossip runs faster than any advertisement.” · Don’t say “expertise.” Say “specialized in.” · NEW RULE (Legal Profession Publicity Rules 2025, eff 1.1.2026): Liberalised publicity is here! Billboards are fine. Just don’t compare fees with other lawyers or mislead. 8. Mental Health · Suicidal tendency is high in this profession. · Bar Council gives 5 free, confidential counselling sessions. Use them. Final gut punch from Mr. Jayabalan: “It does not mean that his only access to justice is through me.” You are allowed to say NO. You are allowed to discharge yourself. Don’t be too nice. Mr Jayabalan Raman Kutty, thank you for this. Truly mindblowing.
NS Bar Reference Proceedings
The practice of law is often exacting and demanding, requiring long hours, personal sacrifices, and an unwavering commitmentn to duty. Behind every member of the Bar stands a family whose support, patience, and understanding make that service possible. Their sacrifices are seldom seen and even more rarely acknowledged, yet they are an indispensable part of the lawyer’s journey. In doing so, they, the families, too contributed, in their own quiet way, to the administration of justice and to the strengthening of the profession.” Karthigesan Shanmugam #negerisembilanbar