Of chambering pupils and salaries
lee jingfa
Lead Trainer for CRIMINAL LAWYERS and PROSECUTORS. I COACH law firms and lawyers to gain regular branding and significant media mention through my unconventional maximizing media publicity trade tactics workshop.
A letter by Jeyaseelen Anthony
AS founder of the Lead Media Trainer for Criminal Lawyers and Prosecutors Facebook page that shares all news on law, I feel guided to upload the current trending news concerning our chambering pupils and the salaries they draw.
It somehow is brewing unpleasantly hot in our Malaysian law fraternity, drawing harsh criticisms and warm support from both sides of this noble profession on our pupils who are still wet behind the ears in this field.
I will share as many selected comments as possible published in MALAYSIAKINI, a Malaysian news portal, maybe, for all and sundry to digest.
To those who are lucky enough to be chambering with a legal firm now and to those who are still finding one feverishly, the comments may be useful and valuable pointers to pick up as they embark on their respective legal career.
Read on here Jeyaseelen Anthony's letter to MALAYSIAKINI on Chambering pupils and salaries
LETTER | Chambering pupils and salaries
"There have been much hue and cry about the remuneration paid to chambering pupils. I believe things need to be put in perspective here.
"Chambering is a learning process where the master imparts his experience and knowledge to his or her pupil.
"I highlight the words "learning process" here, therefore it's not an employee and employer relationship where the chambering student is placed in the employment market.
"Remember, you are a pupil in chambers or a pelatih dalam kamar and not an employee.
"For this reason, it's totally unreasonable for chambering pupils to demand salaries and a minimum wage.
"Your master is not obliged to pay you a salary, only an allowance for travelling or for subsistence.
"Instead of demanding a salary and a minimum wage, pupils should be looking for a good master who is willing to impart his knowledge to you about the intricate workings of the legal system.
"Pupils should not be engaged in finding out who is paying higher salaries.
"In my 23 years of practice, I have been approached by many pupils and the first thing they ask me is how much you are paying and they end up with a tongue lashing from me about what the Bar and chambering are all about.
"My advice to pupils is to pursue learning and knowledge during your nine months, impress your master with your dedication to learn and learn the traditions of the Bar as much as you can.
"Money should not be your priority but learning and the pursuit of knowledge should take the centre stage.
"I hope you are guided."
International Lawyer and Arbitrator
4 年When a law student graduates he needs to train to pick up skills and this training is a necessity. Apart from this, there are financial pressures to merely survive. JAS's take is no excuse not to pay the pupil anything other than a decent allowance or a licence to exploit. All of us were pupils once !