The Quality of Integrity Expected of Lawyers
Earlier this year, I had a matter with a long-time client that provided me with an example to use to explain the quality of integrity I expect from the people …
‘I am more of the talking type of lawyer.’
While hanging about the Jalan Raja criminal magistrates in the afternoon in my second year of practice, a friend introduced me to a senior-looking lawyer. He was a Malay man …
Glamourizing Legal Practice
I see a lot of this on social media these days. Daily, we are treated to a surfeit of self-generated pictures, Tik-Tok Videos, Facebook Posts, Twitter Tweets, Instagram LinkedIn Posts …
‘Let me tell you the facts of your case.’
I remember the first time I heard my boss say that. I was a young and impressionable lad back then, which means to say I was easily impressed. It was …
The Ethics of Applying for an Adjournment
The way I was raised, a court date is a sacred date. It must be attended. Unless I was very ill or about to die, an adjournment is out of …
‘Always read your file before going to court’
This piece of advice was given to me by my father before I commenced my pupillage. The longer version was along the following lines: Before you go to court, you …
“Are you an aggressive lawyer?”
Every once in a while I get these fetish-type requests. “We want someone strong and aggressive.” “We want a fighter-cock kind of lawyer.” “We want you to attack them.” “We …
‘You can scold me, sir.’
Every now and then a pupil or an intern will tell me: “Sir, I am really willing to learn. If I do anything wrong or make a mistake please feel …
Renouncing Islam in the Federal Territories of Malaysia
These are my views on the Federal Constitution, the law and its practice where it relates to apostasy, and my experience conducting such cases in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya in …
The “Tell me when I go wrong” speech
If you worked with me, whether you are a lawyer, pupil, intern, paralegal, or clerk, at some point, you will hear the following speech from me. You wouldn’t have heard …
Being a Commissioner for Oaths and a Notary Public
When I was young, I was greatly impressed by my father signing things. There was a sense of importance and gravity to what he put his signature to. He always …
Branding and Reputation
Branding and reputation are different ways of making ourselves known to others; the difference between them is night and day. To me: Branding is what we tell others about ourselves. …