The Malaysian Bar (Malay: Badan Peguam Malaysia) is a professional body which regulates the profession of lawyers in peninsular Malaysia. In Malaysia, there is no distinction between a barrister and a solicitor, in that, it is a fused profession. Membership into the bar is automatic and mandatory.[1] The bar was created under the Legal Profession Act 1976.[2] Like other bar associations around the world, it has a wide range of functions, including, to protect the reputation of the legal profession, to uphold the cause of justice, to express its views on matters relating to legislations, and others.[3] The bar also has powers to impose punishment against lawyers for any professional misconducts.
The management of the affairs of the Bar is undertaken by a council known as the Bar Council (Malay: Majlis Peguam).[4] The Bar Council consists of the immediate past president and vice-president of the Malaysian Bar, the chairman and elected members of each State Bar Committees, and other elected members.[4]
Separate bodies regulate the legal profession in the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Their bar association are known as the Sabah Law Association and the Advocates' Association of Sarawak respectively.
The bar is headed by a president. As of March 2011, the president of the bar is Lim Chee Wee.
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