Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim on Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill

The proposed amendments represent a “constructive” move towards establishing regulation that can foster the development of dependable and ethical lawyers, said NMP Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim. This will contribute to a more equitable, ethical and inclusive society that serves both the legal profession and the broader community, she said in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov 7). She also sought clarifications on the Bill. She pointed out that the broad-based approach needs to be considered in tandem with the practicality of the teaching methodology and opportunity to learn and be exposed to a variety of subjects. She stressed the need to focus on the critical skills required for candidates to become competent lawyers and be cautious of knowledge overload. She also suggested providing mentorship and guidance for candidates at an earlier stage of their education, similar to the Law Society’s mentorship scheme for junior lawyers. She also stressed the need to look at the associated costs for both the trainees and the law firms, as well as the support needed to manage the financial challenges that some trainees may face.