Nine lawyers struck off rolls by disciplinary board
Nine lawyers were struck off the rolls while another four suspended by the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board (ASDB) for various disciplinary offences last year.
A report by ASDB chairperson Abdul Raman Saad sighted by Malaysiakini said additionally, a total of seven lawyers were reprimanded or warned and 34 others fined...
Nine lawyers were struck off the rolls while another four suspended by the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board (ASDB) for various disciplinary offences last year.
A report by ASDB chairperson Abdul Raman Saad sighted by Malaysiakini said additionally, a total of seven lawyers were reprimanded or warned and 34 others fined.
"A total of 258 complaints made against lawyers were dismissed for the period of last year," the report dated Jan 8 stated.
Abdul Raman took over as ASDB chairperson from former Court of Appeal judge Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad last year.
It was reported that during Syed Ahmad Helmy's four-year tenure as ASDB chairperson, 90 lawyers were barred from practice between 2013 and 2017.
Being struck off the rolls is the highest form of punishment that can be meted out to lawyers for misconduct. They may challenge the ASDB decision in the courts.
The report said ASDB received a total of 1,048 complaints last year, most of it during the second half of the year.
Kuala Lumpur constituted the highest complaints received with 504, followed by Selangor (251) and Johor (80).
All in all, since the ASDB's formation in 1992, it has received a total of 20,614 complaints on lawyers.
At present, there are more than 18,000 lawyers in practice throughout the country and they are bound by the provisions and ethics stated in the Legal Profession Act 1976.
The report also stated that 96 appeals against ASDB decisions were disposed of last year leaving behind 58 appeals pending before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court.
