The ceremonial opening of the 2012 Legal Year which gathers members of the country's legal and judicial systems will be held tomorrow at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

In its statement today, corporate communications and international relations division of the Federal Court said, about 700 guests are expected at the opening including lawyers, judicial officers, and legal officers from the Attorney-General's Chambers, ambassadors and foreign representatives.

Also scheduled to attend are Singapore Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong, Indonesian Supreme Court Chief Justice Harifin A Tumpa and Brunei Chief Justice Kifrawi Kifli.

The ceremony to mark the new legal year was first conducted during the Middle Ages in England and continues to be observed there until today, every October.

The tradition was started after independence in Malaysia and the last time it took place was in 2001. It is held annually in Sabah and Sarawak however, said the statement.

The statement went on to say that the ceremony is among the most important in the legal and judicial fraternities and reflects their commitment in upholding the sovereignty of the country's laws.

According to the programme, Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria, attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail and Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee, who will also be representing the Sabah Law Association and Sarawak Advocates Association, would be giving speeches.

Meanwhile, the 2012 Judges Conference will be held on Jan 15 at the Putrajaya Marriot hotel, said the statement.  

- Bernama