LIA 2010

ENGLISH FOR LAW

Dr. Saroja Dhanapal

Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Law, University of Malaya
Ph.D. Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (UM),
Ph.D. TESL (UPM), MA Literature (UM), LLM (UM),
LLB Hons (UoL), BA Hons (Literature) (UM),
Cert. in Education (MPSK)
Tel: 603-7967 6562
INTRODUCTION TO COURSE

SUBJECT: ENGLISH FOR LAW

SUBJECT CODE: LIA2010
COURSE PROFORMA
COURSE OUTLINE

2
ASSESSMENT
 100% CONTINUOS ASSESSMENT

• Penyertaan tutorial / Tutorial Participation – 10% (5+5)

• Ujian Pemahaman / Reading Test – 20% (15 May 2019)
• Ujian Penulisan / Writing Test – 20% (15 May 2019)
• Ujian Pendengaran / Listening Test – 20% (22 May 2019)
• Pembentangan lisan / Oral Presentation – 30% (As Scheduled 15%+ Review of Interview 10/4/2019 15%)

 Oral Presentation

• To be assessed during lecture

• Students will be assessed in groups according to tutorials (total 12 groups)
• Assessment marks will be divided into two parts:
30% -oral presentation- 6-8 presenters
Review of interview: 10/4/2019 (15%)
Assessment dates: 24 April, 8 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May 2019 (15%)
LECTURE 1: CAREERS IN LAW
COMPETENCIES

Written communication skills

Verbal communication skills
Analytical and problem solving skills
Teamwork
Working under pressure
Adaptability/flexibility
Planning and organising
 THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN MALAYSIA
• As a Commonwealth country, the procedure and practice of law in Malaysia is developed from the Common
Law practice in England and Wales.

• The practice of law in Malaysia, however (as it is in Singapore and the nine common law provinces of Canada,
Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, and unlike the practice in England and Wales,
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Hong Kong), is one where the legal profession is fused, i.e. where there is no
division between barristers and solicitors in the legal profession.

• Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings, and giving expert legal opinions, whereas
solicitors undertake the general aspects of giving legal advice and assist in the conduct of legal disputes
(without acting as counsel for the court/arbitration proceedings), including drafting of commercial agreements
and attending to documentation with authorities such as the land office, company registration authorities,
Intellectual Property offices etc. which require representation to be done by way of a procedurally and legally
trained Agent.

• A legal professional in Malaysia can choose to be either or both. As is the tradition, a newly called-to-the-Bar
legal professional in Malaysia is conferred the title “Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya”.

(Please read https://tina-isaacs.com/legal-practice/career-in-law-which-specialisation/)

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOLICITORS AND
BARRISTERS
SOLICITORS BARRISTERS
 Work Experience • Apply for mini pupillages,
 Attend law fairs and open days • Shadowing opportunities,
 Join University Law Society • Attending court
 Attend employer presentations • Open Days
 Attend legal careers presentations • Debating
 Student membership of the Junior • Mooting
Lawyers Division
 Mentoring schemes • Marshalling
 Pro Bono and Community work • Mentoring schemes
 Legal Advice clinics • Pro Bono and Community Work
 Interests outside law • Legal Advice Clinics
SKILLS NEEDED
SOLICITORS BARRISTERS

• Helpful attitude/enthusiasm/ability to • Academic Ability

smile • Written and oral communication skills
• Ask if you don’t understand • Manipulate complex information
• Willingness to learn • Numerate
• Attention to detail • Interpersonal
• Doing what you are asked to do • Sound Judgement
• Common sense • IT
• Ability to work in a team • Professional responsibility
• Sense of humour • Able to work with others
• Efficiency • Integrity
• Legal knowledge • Self starter
MODERN LAWYER
Importance of Commercial Aptitude
Professional Approach
Negotiation Skills
Marketing and Communication Skills
Networking Skills
Presentation Skills
Client Care Skills
 EXERCISE FOR TODAY
View the following link and submit a comment of not
less than 30 words on the forum set up in
SPECTRUM. Comment must be submitted before
7pm, 20th of February 2019. Make sure your
comment takes into consideration the ongoing
discussion in the forum.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGy403mq9T8