I'm an Indian Malaysian aged 40 and feeling very down now as my dream of almost two decades lies shattered.
I took up law in 1986 registering with the London University External programme. I used to work with lawyers who encouraged me morally and financially to take up law studies and I finally managed to obtain an honours degree in law from the said varsity in 1997. Then, my nightmare started.
To practise law in this country, one must, except for British graduates, first obtain the Certificate in Legal Practice, an ostensibly nine-month course. Well, I've been at it since 1999 and am still unable to pass this 'certificate' course.
Of course, the first time I sat for it, I was unprepared. The papers were very tricky and so in-depth that I seriously doubt whether experienced lawyers who sit for it would pass. However, I persevered and re-sat the CLP in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Unfortunately, they failed me in each and every attempt. This is something I cannot accept.
I based my arguments on the leading cases and the relevant statutory provisions. Of course, it is humanly impossible to remember every case which may be relevant to the topic. Anyway, I thought the CLP is meant to give law graduates an idea of practising law in this country. However, it seems to me that it is now nothing more than a test of memory.
In the course of sitting for this exam four times, I discovered something very interesting. Some of the answers I wrote in Malay and in those subjects I did so, I was passed. This happened both in 1999 and 2002. But the papers I wrote in English, I was failed. The quality of both were the same.
I can only surmise that when I wrote in Malay, the people in charge passed me. Whether you pass or fail has nothing to do with what you know, but rather on the arbitrariness of the CLP board.
I've faxed two letters to the administrator, but no reply has been forthcoming. I wonder if the deafening silence is deliberate where students like me, who know we have passed, are denied a chance to join the legal fraternity.