Top 10 Tips - Call to the Bar
“… diterima masuk dan didaftarai sebagai Peguambela dan Peguamcara Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya”
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Sweet and beautiful words longed to be heard by any pupil as it brings to conclusion his/her pupillage journey. The sweat, tears (on occasion) and blood (literally at times due to paper cuts or work place mishaps) finally bear fruit. The pupil is now recognised and admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor. ?
The Call to the Bar ceremony is momentous. Not unlike a groom / bride in a wedding, the pupil finds himself / herself in a grand occasion where the focus is on him / her, loved ones are present to celebrate, there are plenty of photographs and the moment is etched in memory. ???
In order for a pupil to be admitted as an advocate and solicitor, an active practitioner (at least 7 years in practice) would need to move that pupil’s call to the Bar. For this, the moniker “Mover” is often used. ?
It is the duty of the pupil’s master to arrange for a Mover. Stemming from tradition, it is therefore unfortunate that it now needs to be explicitly set out in the BC Rules and Rulings (cough 10.04 cough). ??
To all current and future pupils who have secured Movers (be it by your own effort or by your Master), here are the top 10 tips:-
1.????????????Make all efforts to know and communicate with your Mover. Introduce and tell more about yourself to your Mover. It makes the session in court more personal;
2.????????????Prepare your “speech” as early as possible for your Mover;
3.????????????Always and constantly update your Mover with regard the details of the day you are called to the Bar;
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4.????????????As a matter of courtesy, get a token of appreciation for your Mover. The value of the token is immaterial. It is purely a gesture of giving thanks and appreciation to your Mover for making time. There might be a thousand and one things your Mover has on his / her schedule but he / she pushed all that aside to move your call;
5.????????????Procure a token of appreciation for your master for everything he / she has done during your pupillage. Again, the value of that token is immaterial;
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6.????????????Take a photograph (or several photographs) with your Mover and master (if he / she is present);
7.????????????Be present in court early (“early” in this sense means at the very least 45 minutes prior to the scheduled time);
8.????????????Print out your draft order and “speech”;
9.????????????After the court session, take the time to thank not only your Mover and your master but the representatives from the Attorney General Chambers, Bar Council and State Bar. They too took time from their busy schedule to be present; and
10.???????At all times be humble and give appreciation to those (especially to family and friends) who played and continue to play a role in who you are today.
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As parting words, I can only emulate the wise words of Puan Hendon (whom I have had the pleasure and privilege of hearing) in that one can be married more than once but one can only be called to the Bar once. It is not verbatim and if the meaning to that statement is lost, the mistake is mine.?
Employment Litigator I Partner at Muhendaran Sri
2 年Well Written Dee Wei
Litigator, Trial & Appellate Practice Principal at Messrs R. Jayabalan Member of the Bar Council Treasurer of the Malaysian Bar
2 年If I may add one. When doing the speech, do remember, its call to the Bar and not a thanksgiving function. Cut down on the endless thank you(s) to the primary/secondary school friends, teachers and boyfriend/ girlfriend, court staff, runners, office staff etc. It is not farewell or thanksgiving speech but a court proceeding. Keep the speech elegant and professional and yet profound. (Apologies Dee Wei, couldn't resist!????)