Proposal To Abolish Articled Clerks Programme Merits Reconsideration - Kulasegaran

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- The government has called on the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) to re-examine its proposal to abolish the Articled Clerks route, factoring in public interest, alternative education opportunities and potential programme improvements.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), M Kulasegaran, said the proposal merits reconsideration, particularly considering feedback from members of parliament during sessions on the Legal Profession (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025 [D.R. 37/2025].

He said the MPs believe the Articled Clerks programme should be retained and improved in line with current developments, ensuring it continues to produce high-quality lawyers who meet national professional standards.

“The government has received the LPQB’s proposed amendment to abolish the Articled Clerks programme.

“The government understands that on Jan 8, 1985, the Board decided that Articled Clerks would no longer be permitted as a route of admission as advocates and solicitors, effective Jan 1, 1985.

“According to the LPQB, the decision was based on several factors: low student enrolment, a lack of course infrastructure, high redevelopment costs, and the availability of sufficient alternative pathways such as local LL.B. degrees and the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP),” he said.

Kulasegaran was responding to a question from Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew, who asked whether the government plans to amend the Legal Profession Act 1976 [Act 166] to abolish the Articled Clerks programme, during today's question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara.

The Articled Clerks programme refers to a practical training route for individuals who have not undertaken a full-time law degree but who qualify through specific criteria.

Parliament established this programme as three of the LPQB's six core functions under Sections 5(a), (b), and (c) of the Legal Profession Act 1976.

Its purpose is to give trainees real-world legal exposure, provide mentorship from senior lawyers, and offer an alternative pathway into the profession.

Kulasegaran said the LPQB’s 1985 decision to discontinue the programme exceeded its powers under the Legal Profession Act 1976, which was a ruling upheld by the Court of Appeal in Fahri, Azzat & Co & Anor v Legal Profession Qualifying Board [2025] 1 MLJ 671.

“This decision was also subsequently affirmed by the Federal Court earlier this year,” he said.

He added that the government’s current priority is to strengthen the LPQB’s governance, efficiency and accountability via amendments in the Legal Profession (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025, passed on Dec 1, 2025, while a comprehensive review of the proposed changes are ongoing.

“These amendments reform the LPQB with a more inclusive membership possessing diverse expertise, ensuring that policies for entry into the legal profession are administered more transparently and effectively,” he concluded.

-- BERNAMA