KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 — The Malaysian Bar is open to foreign collaboration in enhancing legal services and in expanding to foreign markets.
Its president Salim Bashir, in a statement today, said taking inspiration from the recently commenced Joint Committee on Bilateral Trade and Investment Cooperation (JCBTIC) between Malaysia and the United Kingdom (UK), the purpose would enhance the legal services of both jurisdictions.
“We hope that the government through Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Immigration Department, Asian International Arbitration Centre and other relevant agencies can facilitate the achievement of this ambitious venture,” he said.
Salim said there is currently a working group that is seeking to improve market access in areas such as legal services and education and the Malaysian Bar is also looking forward to working with the British High Commission and other stakeholders to discuss relevant matters.
He added the organisation currently has an ad hoc committee on legal services blueprint that has been working on pioneering a holistic plan for the development of the legal services in the country.
“The committee is tasked to work closely with the judiciary and the Attorney General’s Chambers to propel the growth of legal services in Malaysia,” he added.
He also hopes the government could assist local legal practitioners by expanding the legal services to foreign markets as it would be useful in the age of globalisation and digitalisation.
“The Malaysian Bar stands ready to assist and provide any input where necessary to enable this objective to be realised,” Salim said.
— Bernama
