Some people pursue a career in law as it is often viewed as an ambitious and high-powered job where you get to work at esteemed firms and advise large corporations on important legal matters.
While this may be true, the profession also comes with a lot of behind-the-scenes work such as going through case studies, researching and developing strategies to help their clients in legal matters.
If you find passion in performing intellectual tasks and aiding others with your knowledge, lawyer may be the career for you.
How Much Do Lawyers Earn In Malaysia?
The salary of a lawyer depends on how many years in Post-Qualified Experience (PQE) one has.
According to Hays’ 2024 Asia Salary Guide, fresh graduates in private practice begin their law career with an annual salary of RM60,000 to RM72,0000. As with any career, as lawyers progress and achieve higher levels of PQE, they will earn a higher salary.
Eventually, when they have established themselves in their industry and start generating business for the firm, they will likely be promoted to become partners. At this level, lawyers who are senior partners can earn more than RM240,000 a year.
| Level | Salary |
| Newly qualified | RM60,000 – RM72,000 |
| 1-year PQE | RM63,000 – RM69,000 |
| 2-year PQE | RM63,000 – RM75,000 |
| 3-year PQE | RM75,000 – RM82,000 |
| 4-year PQE | RM82,000 – RM96,000 |
| 5-year PQE | RM75,000 – RM120,000 |
| 6-year PQE | RM96,000 – RM108,000 |
| 7-year PQE | RM108,000 – RM132,000 |
| 8-year PQE | RM130,000 – RM150,000 |
| Salaried Partner (Junior) | RM156,000 – RM180,000 |
| Salaried Partner (Senior) | RM240,000 + |
Source: Hays
Different Types Of Lawyer In Malaysia
The general term lawyer is often used to refer to all professionals working in the legal field. However, there is a difference between a lawyer and an advocate or solicitor.
A lawyer is someone who graduates with a law degree and work in the corporate sector as an in-house lawyer and advise companies on legal matters. They may start out as legal officers and go on to head the legal department in a company. Additionally, they can also work in arbitration and mediation to help their clients achieve a fair resolution without having to go to the court.
An advocate or solicitor is someone who has the necessary qualifications to practise law in Malaysia and represent clients in court.
Requirements To Be An Advocate & Solicitor
In Malaysia, the certification of advocates and solicitors are regulated by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB).
According to the board, you will need to hold one of the following qualifications to be an advocate and solicitor in Malaysia.
| Country | Body/Institution | Qualification |
| Malaysia | University of Malaya | LL. B |
| Qualifying Board | CLP | |
| Institut Teknologi Mara | Advanced Diploma in Law | |
| International Islamic University | LL.B (Honours) | |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | LL.B (Honours) | |
| Institut Teknologi MARA | LL.B (Honours) | |
| Universiti Utara Malaysia | LL.B (Honours) | |
| Multimedia University | LL.B (Honours) | |
| Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin | LL.B (Honours) | |
| Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia | Bachelor of Law and Shariah (Honours) | |
| Singapore | University of Singapore | LL. B |
| National University of Singapore | LL. B | |
| University of Malaya in Singapore | LL. B | |
| UK | Inner Temple | Barrister-at-Law |
| Middle Temple | Barrister-at-Law | |
| Gray’s Inn | Barrister-at-Law | |
| Lincoln’s Inn | Barrister-at-Law | |
| The Law Society | Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature of England | |
| Solicitors Regulation Authority | Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales | |
| Ireland | King’s Inn, Dublin, Eire | Barrister-at-Law |
| Australia | University of Adelaide | LL.B |
| Australian National University | LL.B | |
| Macquaire University | LL.B | |
| Monash University | LL.B | |
| University of Melbourne | LL.B/ JURIS DOCTOR (JD) (for those who have registered beginning year 2008) | |
| University of New South Wales | LL.B | |
| University of Queensland | LL.B | |
| University of Sydney | LL.B | |
| University of Tasmania | LL.B/ JURIS DOCTOR (JD) (for those who have registered beginning year 2008) | |
| University of Western Australia | LL.B | |
| University of Technology, Sydney | LL.B | |
| Bond University, Queensland | LL.B | |
| Murdoch University | LL.B | |
| Queensland University of Technology | LL.B | |
| New Zealand | University of Auckland | LL.B |
| University of Canterbury | LL.B | |
| University of Otago | LL.B | |
| Victoria University of Wellington | LL.B | |
| University of Waikato | LL.B |
Source: Legal Profession Qualifying Board
Graduates who passed the final exam for the degree of Bachelor of Laws after 1 May 1999 at the universities in Australia and New Zealand listed above will need to sit for the CLP exam to be an advocate and solicitor in Malaysia.
Additionally, graduates of the Universiti Utara Malaysia will need to attend the Training Programme on Conveyancing Practice, Drafting Pleadings and Opinion Writing and obtain a Certificate of Completion. Meanwhile, Multimedia University graduates from intakes before the 2009/2010 session are also required to attend the Training Programme on Conveyancing Practice, Drafting Pleadings and Opinion Writing and obtain a Certificate of Completion.
Taking The CLP Exam To Become An Advocate & Solicitor
Passing the CLP exams is one of the qualifications required to become an advocate and solicitor in Malaysia.
The CLP exam is open to all Malaysians and permanent residents. Holders of LLB degrees conferred by recognised universities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand can also take the CLP exam in Malaysia.
The CLP exam test lawyers on subjects such as General Paper, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Evidence and Professional Practice.
Candidates will have one opportunity a year to sit for the CLP exam. The main CLP exam is held in July and a supplementary exam in October for candidates who obtained conditional passes in the main exam.
Admission To The Malaysian Bar
After passing the required exams, you will need to undergo a period of pupillage for nine months. You will be a pupil to a ‘master’ or senior practitioner who has worked as an advocate and solicitor for at least seven years.
This is to help you get acquainted with the works of an advocate and solicitor and the general practices in the legal field. At the end of your pupillage, the master will need to sign a Certificate in Diligence to indicate support of the pupil’s petition for admission to the Malaysian bar.
You will need to apply to the court to be admitted to the Malaysian Bar. The following are requirements to be admitted to the bar:
- At least 18 years old
- Has good character
- Malaysian citizen or permanent resident
- Has served required period of pupillage
- Has passed or are exempted from the Bahasa Malaysia (Malay Language) Qualifying Exam
You can appoint a counsel and the admission is conducted in an open court. Your counsel will address the court to request for the petition to be granted. The counsel for the Attorney General, Bar Council and State Bar Committee will state if the petition is objected.
After being admitted to the bar, you will need to obtain a Practising Certificate from the Registrar. As a practising lawyer, you will also need to get insurance to protect yourself from professional liabilities.
Read Also: Salary Guide To How Much You Can Earn As A Pilot In Malaysia
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