I refer to the Malaysiakini reports Owners of large legal firms the main culprits and Justice blind to legal assistants

It's indeed shocking to note what both the writers have highlighted and alleged, including that legal assistants employed in legal firms, regardless of whether they are big firms or not, have to sign a renewable contract for employment and meet their salary formula by achieving the targeted billings/collections.

Nevertheless, these facts were not made available during the Legal Career Fair 2009 organised by a state bar at a leading hotel recently.

One way to address these unfavourable working conditions, especially in large legal firms, is to form unions including, in-house unions. In this regard, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress

(MTUC) and its affiliates will provide assistance, if approached, to seek recognition from the respective employers.

Subsequently, all terms and conditions of employment will be stipulated in a Collective Agreement and it may be used as a benchmark for terms and conditions of employment by other legal firms.

As most of us are aware, the Legal Profession Act, 1976, established a body known as the Malaysian Bar whose purpose is to uphold the cause of justice without regard to its interests or that of its members, uninfluenced by fear or favour.

And the Legal Profession Act, 1976, established a council known as the Bar Council for the proper management of the affairs of the Malaysian Bar and for the proper performance of its functions under the Act.

In addition to the above, it is interesting to recall and quote the statement of the National Young Lawyers' Convention, 2003, as follows:

1. Recognising that lawyers are agents of social change and are a means to social justice;

2. Recognising that the standards and quality of the legal profession have declined over the years;

3. Recognising that young lawyers and pupils are essential part of the legal profession as they represent the majority of the Malaysian Bar and continue to escalate in numbers;

4. Recognising that young lawyers and pupils have the potential to be a powerful force in the machinery and administration of justice towards achieving a truly democratic Malaysia;

5. Recognising that young lawyers and pupils are the future of the Malaysian Bar;

6. Recognising that young lawyers and pupils continue to be disenfranchised and discriminated in the legal profession; and

7. Recognising that there is an urgent need to address the problems faced by young lawyers and pupils.

It is crystal clear from the above that the Bar Council and the Young Lawyers' Committee are imbued with principles of justice, the rule of law, human rights, fair play, etc. Therefore, it is fervently hoped that they would walk the talk by stating their stand without fear or favour.

Here Gandhi's ‘be the change you wish to see in the world’ comes to mind. Let's restore justice to its rightful place.