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• Laws of Malaysia > Case and Codes

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• Bar Council
• Practice and Etiquette Rules
• The Pupil Master

NAME PLATES AND SIGNBOARDS

All name plates and signboards on the exterior of the office of an advocate and solicitor must comply with the following conditions:

(1) Maximum Size

see s.9(2) Legal Profession Publicity Rules 1997

(2) Location

1. May be placed at the main entrance of an advocate and solicitor's residence only if practice carried out at such residence.

Note: No signboard on roads leading to or in the vicinity of an advocate and solicitor's office is permitted.

Note: Arrows or other signs indicating direction to an advocate and solicitor's office for example in a multi-storey complex are not permitted, except where there may be difficulty in locating the office of an advocate and solicitor. Provided however that the arrows / pointers or other signs are discreet, unobtrusive and compatible with the dignity of the profession.
(see also ss.9(1) and 10 Legal Profession Publicity Rules 1997)

(3) Color

Illuminated signboards are not permitted.

(4) Quantity

Only one signboard is allowed for each office.

(5) Content

see s. 9(2) Legals Profession Publicity Rules 1997

LETTERHEADS AND STATIONERY

(1) Logos, symbols and other characters

The use of logos and elaborate or decorated Chinese characters on a firm's letterhead and stationery is prohibited.

(2) Chinese seals

The use of a Chinese seal is permitted, but is limited to the name of the firm of advocate and solicitor concerned, and must be discreet, unobtrusive and compatible with the dignity of the profession.

(3) Names

(a) Sole proprietor or Partners
The name(s) of the sole proprietor or partners in a firm of advocates and solicitors must be stated on the firm's letterhead.

(b) Legal assistants

• The names of the legal assistants, if stated, must be distinguished from those of the sole proprietor or partners in the firm.
• The names of legal assistants may be listed in categories.

(c) Advocates and solicitors who have left the firm
The name of an advocate and solicitor who has ceased practice in a firm shall not appear on any letterhead or stationery of the firm.

(d) Advocates and solicitors not in practice
An advocate and solicitor who is 'temporarily' not practicing shall not be described as being 'on leave'.

(e) Persons not advocates and solicitors
The name of anyone who is not an advocate and solicitor shall not be printed on the letterhead and stationery of the firm.

(f) Registered Patent Agent
The name of a registered patent agent who is not an advocate and solicitor but is employed by a law firm shall not be printed on the letterhead and stationery of the firm concerned.

(g) Syariah Court practitioner
The name of a person who is not an Advocate and Solicitor but is permitted to appear in a Syariah Court and employed for that purpose by a law firm shall not be printed on the letterhead and stationery of the firm concerned.

(h) Firm name in vernacular print
Any firm which proposes to use a firm name in vernacular print should seek the prior consent of the Bar Council in order to ensure that such name corresponds with the romanised name of the firm.

(4) Descriptions

1. Advocate & Solicitor
   
2. Barrister-at-Law
3. Chambers of
4. Commissioner for Oaths
5. Consultant
6. Law Offices of
7. Notary Public
8. Registered Patent Agent
9. 'Syariah Practitioner', 'Pengamal Syariah', 'Peguam Syariah' or 'Peguam Syarie' and
10. relevant academic and professional qualifications.

1. Articled clerk
2. Chartered Arbitrator
3. Counsel
4. 'High Court lawyer' or any other similar vernacular description of praise or acclaim
5. medical, science or other qualifications not relevant to the practice of law
6. membership in the Bar Council, State Bar Committee or similar body or association with any person, a particular course, matter.

(c) The description 'Amalgamation with' may be used for a period not exceeding one year from the date of amalgamation subject to the prior approval of the Bar Council.

(5) Disclaimers

Any statement disclaiming liability for the act(s) or omission(s) of any advocate and solicitor practicing in any firm whether as a partner or legal assistant is prohibited.

NAME CARDS