Circular No 197/2021
Dated 30 May 2021

To Members of the Malaysian Bar and pupils in chambers

Operation of Law Firms During the “Total Lockdown Phase 1”

We refer to the announcement made by the Prime Minister on Friday (28 May 2021) pertaining to the implementation of the “Total Lockdown Phase 1” throughout the country from 1 June until 14 June 2021 (“the Lockdown Period”).

By Media Statement dated 29 May 2021 by the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court of Malaysia entitled “Operasi Mahkamah Semasa Pelaksanaan ‘Total Lockdown’ Fasa Pertama Berkuat Kuasa Mulai 1 Jun 2021”, directives were issued concerning the conduct of court matters during the Lockdown Period and any extension of the same (“the Directives”).

Today (30 May 2021), Senior Minister (Security) and Defence Minister, YB Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, announced the essential services and sectors that are allowed to operate during the Lockdown Period.
 
Law firms are not listed as essential services and as such, will not be able to operate physically during the Lockdown Period.  This invariably raises questions and concerns such as accessibility to law firm premises and files, complying with procedural deadlines as well as directions, since certain court matters would be conducted by virtue of the Directives.  The issues have been highlighted to the Chief Justice by letter today and we are awaiting the outcome.

Clarification is also sought from the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang Jabatan Perdana Menteri, “BHEUU”) on directives for law firms since the National Security Council (Majlis Keselamatan Negara, “MKN”) announced that industries are to liaise with the respective ministries for the same.

We have also received information that the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law), YB Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, will be issuing a media statement tomorrow.

We hope that the information provided here is of assistance to Members.  We will update Members as and when there are new developments.

Should you have any enquiries regarding the “Total Lockdown Phase 1”, you are advised to contact MKN by telephone at 03-8872 6817 or by email at webmaster@mkn.gov.my.

Thank you.

Shahareen Begum
Secretary
Malaysian Bar


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