Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and de facto Law Minister Dr Rais Yatim said today that the government is considering the possibility of incorporating the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) examinations within the ambit of the proposed Malaysian Academy of Law.

He said the government would put the bill before Parliament at the next session (March 2002) as there was insufficient time for it to be brought up in the current session which ends tomorrow.

Rais who was speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby acknowledged that the CLP marks tampering and regrading scandals have caused "a big dent" in the reputation of the legal profession

He added that the government was now taking "objective" steps to ensure that such occurrences would not be repeated in the future.

"The Prime Minister's Department is planning a workshop with the participation of various academies such as the universities, the Bar Council, as well as with students, lecturers and practising lawyers," said Rais.

He added the Bar Council would be charged with the task of reviewing the feasibility and details of the proposals submitted.

Exchange of ideas

The Council of Judges gave an unanimous 'aye' to the establishment of a Malaysian Academy of Law and College of Judges in May this year.

A committee is now studying the recommendations on the draft bill.

The academy is meant to upgrade the legal profession and provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, appraisals, education and accreditation of legal professionals.

Membership of the academy would include the bench; legal practitioners; legal officers in the federal judicial service and the Attorney-General's Chambers in Sabah and Sarawak; and academics in law faculties of local universities.