Circular No 244/2020
Dated 30 July 2020

To Members of the Malaysian Bar

Amendment to Ruling 2.06 and Reversal of Amendment to Ruling 3.05
of the Rules and Rulings of the Bar Council

We refer to Circular No 122/2020 entitled “Amendment to Ruling 3.05 of the Rules and Rulings of the Bar Council” dated 24 Apr 2020 and Circular No 141/2020 entitled “Suspension of Ruling 3.05 of the Rules and Rulings of the Bar Council” dated 5 May 2020.

The Bar Council has revisited its decision to amend Ruling 3.05.  The amendment, as referred to in both Circular No 122/2020 and Circular No 141/2020, effectively made it a requirement for law firms to obtain the approval of the Bar Council with respect to any logo, insignia, seal of the firm and any elaborate or decorated script or style on a law firm’s letterhead and stationery.  The Bar Council has decided that the amendment be revoked, and that Ruling 3.05 revert to its original wording, prior to the amendment.

With the reversal of the amendment, Members are no longer required to seek the approval of the Bar Council in respect of their firms’ logos.  However, complaints can still be made to the Bar Council if logos and the like are obtrusive and incompatible with the dignity of the legal profession.

In addition, the Bar Council also amended Ruling 2.06, removing the words, “which has been approved for publication on the firm’s letterhead and stationery”, to ensure consistency between the two Rulings.

The amendment to Ruling 2.06 and reversal of the amendment to Ruling 3.05 are as marked below:

Bar Council Ruling 2.06: Firm’s logo on signboard

A law firm’s logo which has been approved for publication on the firm’s letterhead and stationery may appear on the firm’s signboard.

Bar Council Ruling 3.05: Logo, elaborate or decorated script or style permitted

The use of any logo, insignia, seal of the firm and any elaborate or decorated script or style on a law firm’s letterhead and stationery in a manner which is unobtrusive and not incompatible with the dignity of the legal profession is permitted, subject to the approval of the Bar Council.

Please be informed that the amended Ruling 2.06 and reversal of amendment to 3.05 took effect on 3 July 2020.

The Rules and Rulings of the Bar Council are accessible here on the Malaysian Bar website.

Should you have any enquiries, please contact Malathi Mohan, Senior Officer (03-2050 2150), or Raz Ida Nadira Razali, Officer (03-2050 2090), or email lpc@malaysianbar.org.my.

Thank you.

A G Kalidas
Secretary
Malaysian Bar