Circular No 268/2021
Dated 5 July 2021

To Members of the Malaysian Bar and pupils in chambers

Update (5 July 2021) | Operation of Law Firms: Approval Letter to Operate

We refer to Circular No 267/2021 entitled “Update (4 July 2021) | Operation of Law Firms in EMCO Areas in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor” dated 4 July 2021.

We had informed Members in Circular No 267/2021 that the approvals to operate that had been issued prior to the coming into force of the Enhanced Movement Control Order (“EMCO”) would remain in force without the need for fresh application.

Further to our meeting today with the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang Jabatan Perdana Menteri, “BHEUU”), we wish to update Members that with the coming into operation of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within Infected Local Areas) (National Recovery Plan) Regulations 2021 (P.U. (A) 293/2021), changes were effected to the contents of the approval letter with an updated QR code.

As such, all law firms (in EMCO areas or otherwise) that have already obtained approvals to operate are required to only reprint their approval letters from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (“MITI”)’s Covid-19 Intelligent Management System 3.0 (“CIMS 3.0”), starting today; fresh applications are not required.

Although not specifically stated in the revised approval letter, BHEUU confirmed that law firms within the EMCO areas remain subject to the following standard operating procedures (“SOP”):

(1) Only 2 members of a law firm’s staff or 20% of the total number of staff, whichever is more, are allowed to work from the physical office;
(2) Operation hours of the law firms are limited to 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; and
(3) Law firms are required to set appointments with their clients if it is necessary for them to meet physically in the office.

Should you have any enquiries regarding the above, you are advised to contact BHEUU by telephone at 03-8885 1075 / 1032 / 1074 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), or send an email to rayuan.pkpguaman@bheuu.gov.my.

Thank you.

Shahareen Begum
Secretary
Malaysian Bar

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