How to Become a Lawyer in Malaysia: Complete Career Guide (Courses, Qualifications & Prospects)
In Malaysia, being a lawyer is a highly professional and respected career. Whether handling civil litigation, criminal defense, or providing legal consultation for companies, lawyers play an important role in upholding law and social justice.
This article will guide you through: the essential path to becoming a lawyer in Malaysia, law courses, internship requirements, registration procedures, salary, and career development.
1. Why Choose to Become a Lawyer?
Becoming a lawyer not only means having good income but also represents possessing professional judgment, debating skills, and social responsibility. Here are several reasons to choose the legal profession:
- High social status, stable career
- Possess legal expertise, can speak for society
- Wide employment scope, can engage in litigation, corporate law, international arbitration, etc.
- High salary potential, especially in corporate or international law firms
- Can extend development into judges, prosecutors, scholars, or political figures
2. Types of Lawyers in Malaysia
In Malaysia, lawyers are divided into two main types:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Advocate & Solicitor | Can appear in court (advocate) and provide legal document services (solicitor) |
| In-house Counsel | Corporate internal legal counsel, non-practicing lawyer |
If you want to become a practicing lawyer with court appearance qualifications, you must obtain registration and recognition from the Malaysian Bar Council.
3. Path to Becoming a Lawyer: Starting from SPM
Step 1: Complete High School or Equivalent
You need to first complete SPM or O-Level, then choose to enter pre-university/diploma courses to lay the foundation for entering law undergraduate studies.
Step 2: Choose Suitable Legal Path
| Path | Details |
|---|---|
| Path One | Study local university law bachelor's degree (LLB) |
| Recommended Universities | Universiti Malaya (UM), UKM, IIUM, UiTM, MMU, HELP, etc. |
| Duration | Generally 4 years |
| Requirements | STPM, A-Level, Foundation CGPA 3.0 |
| Path Two | Overseas law degree + CLP |
| Regions | UK (most common), Australia, New Zealand, etc. |
| Requirements | Must graduate from universities recognized by Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) |
| Next Steps | Must pass CLP exam (Certificate in Legal Practice) after returning to Malaysia |
4. Local vs Overseas Law Courses Comparison
| Comparison | Local LLB | Overseas LLB + CLP |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years (usually includes internship) | 3 years + return to take CLP |
| Cost | Lower (government universities especially cheap) | Higher (tuition + living expenses) |
| Employer Acceptance | High | Similarly recognized, depends on university reputation |
| CLP Required | No (some local universities exempt) | Yes |
5. CLP Legal Practice Certificate Exam (If Not Exempted)
If you're not a graduate from local universities that exempt CLP, you need to take the CLP (Certificate in Legal Practice), organized by LPQB (Legal Profession Qualifying Board).
CLP Exam Content:
- General Paper
- Professional Practice
- Evidence
- Criminal Procedure
- Civil Procedure
The difficulty is relatively high, with a pass rate of about 20-30%. Many students need 9-12 months of preparation.
6. Internship & Registration
After completing LLB + CLP (or direct CLP exemption), you need to complete 9 months of law firm internship (called Pupillage or Chambering):
- Intern at qualified law firms for 9 months
- Qualified lawyers serve as your "Master"
- Participate in actual cases, prepare legal documents, observe court proceedings
After completing the internship, you will officially be sworn in as an Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.
7. Legal Career Development Directions
After becoming a lawyer, you have multiple development directions:
| Field | Job Description |
|---|---|
| Civil Litigation Lawyer | Handle inheritance, divorce, contract disputes, and other cases |
| Criminal Defense Lawyer | Defend defendants in criminal cases |
| Corporate/Commercial Lawyer | Draft contracts, mergers & acquisitions, legal due diligence, etc. |
| Intellectual Property Lawyer | Trademark, copyright, patent-related matters |
| Real Estate Lawyer | Land transactions, sales contracts, transfer procedures |
| Tax & Financial Lawyer | Banking and tax compliance, investment law |
| Arbitration & International Law | International commercial arbitration, cross-border litigation |
| Academic & Education | Become law lecturers, researchers |
| Judge/Prosecutor/Civil Servant | Participate in national judicial or administrative systems |
8. Salary Range & Career Prospects
Lawyer income varies greatly depending on location, law firm size, experience, and field:
| Experience | Average Monthly Salary (RM) |
|---|---|
| Pupil (Intern) | RM 1,000 RM 2,500 |
| Junior Lawyer (1-2 years) | RM 3,000 RM 6,000 |
| Mid-level Lawyer (3-5 years) | RM 6,000 RM 12,000 |
| Senior/Partner Lawyer | RM 15,000 RM 30,000+ |
| Corporate Legal (In-house) | RM 5,000 RM 20,000+ |
9. Who Should Become a Lawyer?
- Enjoy reading, writing, and logical analysis
- Possess good expression and communication skills
- Brave in debate and defending principles
- Have social responsibility and sense of justice
- Can handle work pressure and long working hours
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I study law if my SPM results are poor?
If you're determined to become a lawyer, you can retake exams or obtain qualifications through diploma/pre-university courses.
2. Is CLP difficult to pass?
It has certain difficulty. It's recommended to choose experienced tutorial classes and prepare early.
3. Can law professionals develop abroad?
Yes, as long as you meet the requirements of local bar associations or practicing institutions. Countries like UK, Australia, Hong Kong welcome experienced Malaysian lawyers.
4. Do lawyers have to appear in court?
Not necessarily. Many lawyers focus on documentation, corporate law, compliance matters, especially those working in corporations or banks.
US 4380 
BR 2939 
VN 2538 
AU 865 
TH 847 
JP 767 
CA 754 
SG 612 
