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Issue #40/2018 04 October 2018

New This Week Case(s) of the Week PP v. ASZROY ACHOI [2018] 8 CLJ 762 Appeal Update Appeal Update Latest Cases Legal Network Series CLJ 2018 Volume 8 (Part 6) Articles LNS Article(s) Legislation Highlights Principal Acts Amending Acts PU(A) PU(B) Legislation Alert

PP v. ASZROY ACHOI [2018] 8 CLJ 762
HIGH COURT SABAH & SARAWAK, KOTA KINABALU
RAVINTHRAN PARAMAGURU J
[CRIMINAL CASE NO: BKI-45SO-9-12-2016]
26 MARCH 2018

CRIMINAL LAW: Penal Code – Sections 130J(1)(a) & 130JB(1)(a) – Security offences – Terrorism – Accused's mobile phone contained images associated with Islamic State – Accused provided password to Facebook account containing postings promoting Islamic State and terrorism – Whether accused publisher of incriminatory postings – Whether prosecution could rely on s. 114A of Evidence Act 1950 – Defence of bare denial – Whether raised reasonable doubt on prosecution's case

CRIMINAL LAW: Sentencing – Security offences – Terrorism – Images extracted from accused's mobile phone associated with Islamic State – Facebook account containing postings promoting Islamic State and terrorism linked to accused – Sentencing – Mitigating factors – Whether accused planned to provide material support or take part in terrorist acts – Whether a violent act was committed – Whether lengthy incarceration appropriate – Penal Code, ss. 130J(1)(a) & 130JB(1)(a)

CRIMINAL LAW: Security offences – Terrorism – Accused's mobile phone contained images associated with Islamic State – Accused provided password to Facebook account containing postings promoting Islamic State and terrorism – Whether accused publisher of incriminatory postings – Whether prosecution could rely on s. 114A of Evidence Act 1950 – Defence of bare denial – Whether raised reasonable doubt on prosecution's case

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1. BS Eramaju Engineering Sdn Bhd v. OPS Suria (EM) Sdn Bhd & Anor [2018] 1 LNS 590 (CA) affirming the High Court case of OPS Suria (EM) Sdn Bhd v. BS Eramaju Engineering Sdn Bhd [2014] 1 LNS 1621

2. Exotic Skyline Sdn Bhd v Hamid Naib & Ors And Another Appeal [2018] 1 LNS 510 (CA) affirming the High Court case of Hamid Naib & Ors v. Exotic Skyline Sdn Bhd [Guaman Sivil No.: 24NCC - 337 - 09/2015]

Legal Network Series

[2016] 1 LNS 1469	DATO' NG KIM WENG & SATU LAGI lwn. PP & KES LAIN PROSEDUR JENAYAH: Pembelaan - Penafian - Pertuduhan dibawah s. 471 Kanun Keseksaan - Kesalahan pemalsuan invois dan pesanan penyerahan bagi tujuan permohonan kemudahan perbankan 'bankers acceptance' ('BA') - Tertuduh mendakwa menandatangani deraf BA dalam bilangan yang banyak yang tidak dilampirkan invois dan pesanan penyerahan - Tertuduh merupakan pengarah urusan syarikat yang mempunyai pengalaman yang lama - Sama ada pembelaan tertuduh adalah munasabah UNDANG-UNDANG JENAYAH: Kanun Keseksaan - Seksyen 471 - Pemalsuan dokumen-dokumen sokongan bagi tujuan permohonan kemudahan perbankan 'bankers acceptance' ('BA') - Transaksi-transaksi yang dinyatakan di dalam invois dan pesanan penyerahan tidak berlaku - Invois dan pesanan penyerahan dipinda tarikh - Sama ada dokumen-dokumen palsu digunakan secara tulen - Sama ada tertuduh mempunyai sebab untuk mempercayai dokumen-dokumen untuk menyokong permohonan BA adalah palsu - Sama ada dokumen-dokumen yang telah dipalsukan digunakan dengan niat curang  Bagi pihak perayu - Mohamad Ilhami Ahmad & Faizah Mohd Salleh, Timbalan Pendakwa Raya; Jabatan Peguam Negara  Bagi pihak responden - Sarah Abishagan; T/n Shafie & Co, Gooi Soon Seng & S Selvi; T/n Gooi & Azura
[2016] 1 LNS 1485	SOREL ALAYIKO lwn. TIMBALAN MENTERI DALAM NEGERI, MALAYSIA & YANG LAIN PROSEDUR JENAYAH: Habeas corpus - Permohonan untuk writ habeas corpus - Pemohon dikenakan perintah tahanan di bawah s. 6(1) Akta Dadah Berbahaya (Langkah-Langkah Pencegahan Khas) 1985 ('Akta 1985') - Dokumen-dokumen yang diserahkan kepada pemohon diambil semula - Laporan siasatan tidak menyatakan jenis dadah - Sama ada terdapat kepatuhan prosedur dalam penyerahan perintah tahanan serta borang yang berkaitan kepada pemohon - Sama ada pengambilan semula dokumen-dokumen yang diserahkan kepada pemohon merupakan satu ketidakpatuhan prosedur - Sama ada laporan siasatan dibawah s. 5 Akta 1985 adalah sempurna - Sama ada perintah tahanan dikeluarkan berdasarkan laporan siasatan yang lengkap  Bagi pihak pendakwaan - Peguam Kanan Persekutuan; Pejabat Penasihat Undang-Undang, Kementerian Keselamatan Dalam Negeri  Bagi pihak responden - T/n Shamsuddin & Co
[2017] 1 LNS 652	AETHIRAJU E SAMUEL v. STESEN MINYAK JK SDN BHD & ANOR CONTRACT: Void contracts - Remedies - Joint venture agreement - Plaintiff financed construction of drive-in restaurant - Defendants received benefit of being financed for construction of drive-in restaurant - Whether defendants should compensate plaintiff for sum spent by plaintiff on construction of drive-in restaurant - Contracts Act 1950, s. 66  For the appellant/plaintiff - D Kalaimany; M/s Kalai & Partners  For the respondents/defendants - M Kaliparumal; M/s Kali & Associates
[2017] 1 LNS 899	LEONG CHEONG CHYE @ LEONG SEONG MOH & ANOR v. MERGER ACCEPTANCE SDN BHD; MACHANG INDAH DEVELOPMENT SDN BHD (APPLICANT) COMPANY LAW: Winding-up - Suit against liquidator - Leave to commence legal proceedings against liquidator personally - Inherent powers of court - Breach of duty by liquidator - Liquidator offered no response to issue raised by petitioner - Whether it was incumbent upon applicant to demonstrate that it suffered loss as a result of breach of duty by liquidator - Whether court has inherent power to grant leave to sue liquidator personally - Whether leave ought to be granted  For the defendant - SC Khor; M/s SC Tan  For the interveners or 3rd party - Leong Kwong Wah & Norlidah Abu Bakar; M/s Leong Kwong Wan  For the plaintiff - Thomas Foo; M/s Yeap Yong & Amy
[2017] 1 LNS 1295	SHAHRUL SALLEH v. TIMBALAN MENTERI DALAM NEGERI, MALAYSIA & ORS PREVENTIVE DETENTION: Detention order - Application for habeas corpus - Detention under s. 6 of Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 - Allegation that notice of hearing of representation ('Form II') was never received by applicant - Warden at rehabilitation centre affirmed affidavit to confirm service of Form II - Whether it was mandatory to obtain acknowledgment from applicant when serving Form II - Whether there was breach of r. 5(1) of Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) (Advisory Board Procedure) Rules 1987 PREVENTIVE DETENTION: Detention order - Application for habeas corpus - Detention under s. 6 of Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 - Failure to provide copy of applicant's recorded statement to him - Verbal application for recorded statement was rejected - Whether formal written application was necessary - Whether an unrepresented applicant should have right to his recorded statement  For the applicant - Syazlin Mansor; M/s Tina Ong & Syazlin Mansor  For the respondents - Peguam Kanan Persekutuan Siti Syafinaz; Pejabat Penasihat Undang-Undang, Kementerian Dalam Negeri

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CLJ 2018 Volume 8 (Part 6)

COURT OF APPEAL

Pang Mun Chung & Anor v. Cheong Huey Charn
Rohana Yusuf, Yaacob Md Sam, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal JJCA
(Contracts; Trusts - Illegality - Agreement entered into between non-citizen vendor and purported purchaser to defeat bank policy) [2018] 8 CLJ 663 [CA]

 For the appellants - Ronnie Yoon Kok Seng & Jeffrey Wong Peng Ann; M/s Scully Yoon
 For the respondent - Paari Perumal & M Ramachandran; M/s Rama Samuel & Assocs 

Tekun Nasional v. Plenitude Drive (M) Sdn Bhd & Other Appeals
Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Nallini Pathmanathan, Yaacob Md Sam JJCA
(Contracts - Breach - Agreement - Claim for payment) [2018] 8 CLJ 686 [CA]

 For the appellant - Mubashir Mansor; Raja Nadhil Aqran Raja Ahmad Aminollah, U Shasiraj & Lim Hui Li; M/s Raj, Ong & Yudistra
 For the respondent - Wong Yee Chue & Tan Swee Poh; M/s YC Wong 

Yap Seong Yee v. Eureka Property Management Sdn Bhd & Another Appeal
Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Asmabi Mohamad JJCA
(Contract; Civil Procedure - Agreement - Breach - Whether proper case for specific performance) [2018] 8 CLJ 713 [CA]

(Civil Appeal No: W-02(NCVC)(W)-1882-11-2015)
 For the appellant - Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, Pavandeep Singh & Saaran Nadarajah; M/s Saaran & Co
 For the respondent - Ringo Low Kim Leng & See Kwong Yan; M/s See Kwong Yan
(Civil Appeal No: W-02(NCVC)(W)-1889-11-2015)
 For the appellant - Gurdit Singh, Nashvinder Singh Gill & Chrysandy Lai; M/s Sharif & Khoo
 For the respondent - Ringo Low Kim Leng & See Kwong Yan; M/s See Kwong Yan 

HIGH COURT

Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) v. Dato' Abd Rahim Abd Halim & Ors
Wong Chee Lin JC
(Company Law - Articles of association - Interpretation - Whether requisition notice fulfilled requirement under article of association - Companies Act 2016, s. 311) [2018] 8 CLJ 738 [HC]

 For the plaintiff - M/s Azmi & Assocs
 For the 1st-7th defendants - M/s Satish Alli & Assocs
 For the 8th & 9th defendants - M/s Chooi & Company & Cheang & Ariff 

PP v. Aszroy Achoi
Ravinthran Paramaguru J
(Criminal Law - Penal Code - Sections 130J(1)(a) & 130JB(1)(a) - Security offences - Terrorism) [2018] 8 CLJ 762 [HC]

 For the prosecution - Muhammad Fadzlan Mohd Noor & Noor Syazwani Mohamad Sobry; DPPs
 For the accused - Jamadi Salleh & Farah Abdul Razak; M/s Adnan Puteh & Saleh 

Sabri Hasan lwn. Ghori Mohammed Abd Majeed Mustaffa
Samsudin Hassan H
(Pewarisan - Harta pusaka - Wasiat - Defendan tiada pertalian persaudaraan dengan si mati - Sama ada geran probet harus diketepikan) [2018] 8 CLJ 788 [HC]

 Bagi pihak plaintif - NP Ramachandran; T/n NP Ramachandran & Assocs
 Bagi pihak responden - Abdul Malik & Ku Abdul Rahman; T/n Mirzawati & Assocs 

SUBJECT INDEX

CONTRACT

Agreement - Breach - Sale and purchase agreement - Sale of property - Failure of purchaser to make payment for balance purchase price due to failure of vendor to submit ownership documents - Whether there was fundamental breach of terms of agreement - Whether purchaser entitled to repudiate agreement - Whether purchaser entitled to damages - Whether proper case for specific performance - Specific Relief Act 1950, s. 23
Yap Seong Yee v. Eureka Property Management Sdn Bhd & Another Appeal
(Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Asmabi Mohamad JJCA) [2018] 8 CLJ 713 [CA]

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Pleadings - Statement of claim - Sale of property - Failure of purchaser to make payment for balance purchase price due to failure of vendor to submit ownership documents - Allegations of fraud - Whether fraud pleaded in statement of claim - Rules of Court 2012, O. 18 r. 15
Yap Seong Yee v. Eureka Property Management Sdn Bhd & Another Appeal
(Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Asmabi Mohamad JJCA) [2018] 8 CLJ 713 [CA]

Breach - Agreement - Claim for payment - Agency appointed supplier to develop loan repayment facility by way of mobile gadget and standing instruction system - Gadgets delivered but agency failed to make payment and refused to proceed with project without providing reasons - Whether there was breach of terms - Whether there was repudiation of agreement - Whether agreement void for illegality - Whether liability established against agency - Whether supplier entitled to sums claimed for project - Damages - Whether to be assessed
Tekun Nasional v. Plenitude Drive (M) Sdn Bhd & Other Appeals
(Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Nallini Pathmanathan, Yaacob Md Sam JJCA) [2018] 8 CLJ 686 [CA]

Illegality - Agreement - Sale and purchase agreement entered into between non-citizen vendor and purported purchaser to defeat bank policy of not granting loans to non-citizens - Whether amounted to illegality - Whether internal bank policy - Whether could be equated to a public policy protecting members of public - Whether there was public policy barring claim of purported vendors - Whether there were elements of deception or serious moral turpitude on part of purported vendors in entering impugned arrangements - Whether purported purchaser held property on trust for purported vendors - Whether purported vendors sought only to enforce trust - Element of disproportionality if remedy of enforcement of trust not granted - Whether purported purchaser would gain windfall or profit from own wrongdoing - Whether High Court Judge wrong in application of defence of illegality - Contracts Act 1950, s. 24(e)
Pang Mun Chung & Anor v. Cheong Huey Charn
(Rohana Yusuf, Yaacob Md Sam, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal JJCA) [2018] 8 CLJ 663 [CA]

COMPANY LAW

Articles of association - Interpretation - Requisition notice - Rejection of - Whether requisition notice fulfilled requirement under article of association - Whether rejection of requisition notice in breach of directors' duties under article of association - Management and control of business and affairs of company - Whether vested in directors - Whether shareholders could usurp powers of management vested in directors - Whether recommendation of shareholders binding on Board of Directors in absence of special resolution - Companies Act 2016, s. 311
Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) v. Dato' Abd Rahim Abd Halim & Ors
(Wong Chee Lin JC) [2018] 8 CLJ 738 [HC]

Directors - Appointment - Validity of - Appointment of additional directors - Whether delegated to directors - Whether in exclusion of inherent power of company in general meeting - Whether additional directors may be appointed by ordinary resolution - Whether appointment of additional directors in good faith and proper purpose - Companies Act 2016, ss. 202(2) & 211
Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) v. Dato' Abd Rahim Abd Halim & Ors
(Wong Chee Lin JC) [2018] 8 CLJ 738 [HC]

TRUSTS

Enforcement of - Agreement - Sale and purchase agreement entered into between non-citizen vendor and purported purchaser to defeat bank policy of not granting loans to non-citizens - Whether purported purchaser held property on trust for purported vendors - Whether purported vendors sought only to enforce trust - Element of disproportionality if remedy of enforcement of trust not granted
Pang Mun Chung & Anor v. Cheong Huey Charn
(Rohana Yusuf, Yaacob Md Sam, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal JJCA) [2018] 8 CLJ 663 [CA]

CRIMINAL LAW

Penal Code - Sections 130J(1)(a) & 130JB(1)(a) - Security offences - Terrorism - Accused's mobile phone contained images associated with Islamic State - Accused provided password to Facebook account containing postings promoting Islamic State and terrorism - Whether accused publisher of incriminatory postings - Whether prosecution could rely on s. 114A of Evidence Act 1950 - Defence of bare denial - Whether raised reasonable doubt on prosecution's case
PP v. Aszroy Achoi
(Ravinthran Paramaguru J) [2018] 8 CLJ 762 [HC]

Security offences - Terrorism - Accused's mobile phone contained images associated with Islamic State - Accused provided password to Facebook account containing postings promoting Islamic State and terrorism - Whether accused publisher of incriminatory postings - Whether prosecution could rely on s. 114A of Evidence Act 1950 - Defence of bare denial - Whether raised reasonable doubt on prosecution's case
PP v. Aszroy Achoi
(Ravinthran Paramaguru J) [2018] 8 CLJ 762 [HC]

Sentencing - Security offences - Terrorism - Images extracted from accused's mobile phone associated with Islamic State - Facebook account containing postings promoting Islamic State and terrorism linked to accused - Sentencing - Mitigating factors - Whether accused planned to provide material support or take part in terrorist acts - Whether a violent act was committed - Whether lengthy incarceration appropriate - Penal Code, ss. 130J(1)(a) & 130JB(1)(a)
PP v. Aszroy Achoi
(Ravinthran Paramaguru J) [2018] 8 CLJ 762 [HC]

INDEKS PERKARA

PEWARISAN

Harta pusaka - Pembahagian - Undang-undang Islam - Wasiat - Tahap berwasiat - Sama ada terhad kepada 1/3 bahagian pusaka - Wasiat atas keseluruhan pusaka - Sama ada sah - Sama ada pembahagian harta pusaka si mati tidak mengikut Hukum Faraid dan melanggar undang-undang Islam - Sama ada wasiat si mati sah
Sabri Hasan lwn. Ghori Mohammed Abd Majeed Mustaffa
(Samsudin Hassan H) [2018] 8 CLJ 788 [HC]

Harta pusaka - Wasiat terakhir si mati - Geran probet dikeluarkan untuk harta pusaka si mati kepada defendan sebagai wasi tunggal berdasarkan wasiat terakhir si mati - Defendan tiada pertalian persaudaraan dengan si mati - Plaintif sebagai abang seibu bapa kepada si mati membuat bantahan - Sama ada geran probet harus diketepikan dan diiktiraf tidak sah dan tidak berkuasa - Sama ada wasiat si mati sah - Sama ada terdapat pinjaman yang diberikan defendan kepada plaintif - Tiada dokumen dikemukakan untuk membuktikan kewujudan pinjaman - Sama ada tuntutan balas defendan tiada asas kausa tindakan terhadap plaintif - Sama ada satu penyalahgunaan proses mahkamah
Sabri Hasan lwn. Ghori Mohammed Abd Majeed Mustaffa
(Samsudin Hassan H) [2018] 8 CLJ 788 [HC]

Harta pusaka - Wasiat terakhir si mati - Geran probet dikeluarkan untuk harta pusaka si mati kepada defendan sebagai wasi tunggal berdasarkan wasiat terakhir si mati - Defendan tiada pertalian persaudaraan dengan si mati - Plaintif sebagai abang seibu bapa kepada si mati membuat bantahan - Sama ada geran probet harus diketepikan dan diiktiraf tidak sah dan tidak berkuasa - Sama ada pembahagian harta pusaka si mati tidak mengikut Hukum Faraid dan melanggar undang-undang Islam - Sama ada wasiat si mati sah - Sama ada terdapat perbuatan pemalsuan dan penipuan oleh defendan
Sabri Hasan lwn. Ghori Mohammed Abd Majeed Mustaffa
(Samsudin Hassan H) [2018] 8 CLJ 788 [HC]

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LNS Article(s)

1. PERTANYAAN PARLIMEN: SUATU ANALISA MENGENAI PEMATUHAN PERATURAN MESYUARAT OLEH AHLI PARLIMEN
   (Parliamentary Questions: an Analysis on Compliance of Standing Orders by Members of Parliament) ^{[Read excerpt]}
   Nizam Mydin Bin Bacha Mydin*Johan Shamsuddin Bin Hj Sabaruddin** [2018] 1 LNS(A) xcvii

[2018] 1 LNS(A) xcvii



MALAYSIA

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PERTANYAAN PARLIMEN: SUATU ANALISA MENGENAI PEMATUHAN PERATURAN MESYUARAT OLEH AHLI PARLIMEN
(Parliamentary Questions: an Analysis on Compliance of Standing Orders by Members of Parliament)

Nizam Mydin Bin Bacha Mydin*
Johan Shamsuddin Bin Hj Sabaruddin**

Abstrak: Pertanyaan Parlimen terdiri Pertanyaan-Pertanyaan Bagi Jawab Lisan oleh Menteri-Menteri (QMA) dan Pertanyaan-Pertanyaan Menteri (MQT). Ahli-ahli akademik dan politik memberi perhatian terhadap peranan Ahli-ahli Parlimen terhadap QMA dan MQT, namun pada masa yang sama terdapat kajian yang terhad dalam menganalisa perkara ini. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan merapatkan jurang literatur dengan menganalisa dan menilai peranan Ahli-Ahli Parlimen dalam QMA dan MQT masing-masing melalui pematuhan terhadap peraturan mesyuarat Dewan. Adalah didapati Ahli Parlimen lebih mematuhi peraturan mesyuarat Dewan semasa sesi MQT berbanding dengan QMA. Perbincangan ini mengetengahkan persoalan asas dalam menganalisa tahap perbandingan peranan dalam kalangan Ahli Parlimen yang terdiri daripada Menteri (sebagai ahli badan eksekutif dan perundangan) dan Ahli Parlimen (sebagai ahli badan perundangan). Akhir sekali, kajian ini juga membuat cadangan untuk meningkatkan keberkesanaan peranan Ahli Parlimen dalam sesi QMA dan MQT.

. . .

* Fakulti Undang-Undang (Pelajar PhD), Universiti Malaya.nizammydin@siswa.um.edu.my.

** Fakulti Undang-Undang, Universiti Malaya.johans@um.edu.my. (Corresponding Author)

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2. MALAYSIAN ACCESS TO BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND BENEFIT SHARING ACT 2017: WILL IT BE EFFECTIVE IN CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY? ^{[Read excerpt]}
   Alaleh Eghbali* Azmi Sharom** [2018] 1 LNS(A) xcviii

[2018] 1 LNS(A) xcviii



MALAYSIA

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MALAYSIAN ACCESS TO BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND BENEFIT SHARING ACT 2017: WILL IT BE EFFECTIVE IN CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY?

Alaleh Eghbali*
Azmi Sharom**

ABSTRACT

The rapid loss of biological diversity and increasing threat to sustainability of the livelihood of millions of people were the core concerns when the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted in 1992. The objectives of the CBD, namely, conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and sharing benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resource was viewed as a circle where accomplishing each objective would lead to the realisation of the other two. Conservation, however, has not been addressed as much of the mainly market and transactional based benefit sharing has attracted debates and attention. Years of deliberation and negotiation led to the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010, with an aim to finally offer a framework on Access and Benefit Sharing which would enable countries to adopt efficient local measures with effective international implications. Malaysia, despite not yet being a party-member to the Protocol, has adopted the Access to Biological Resources and Benefit Sharing Act (Act 795) on 2 August 2017 with the intention of signing the Protocol, thus incorporating ABS measures into the Act in a manner in compliance with the Protocol. Aside from technical implementation of access and benefit sharing agreement, arresting biodiversity loss in Malaysia as one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world depends on the successful implementation of the ABS Act and subsequent regulations. 

. . .

* Postgraduate student, Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. Email: alaleh.eghbali@siswa.um.edu.my

** Associate Prof. Dr. Azmi Sharom, Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. Email: asharom@um.edu.my

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3. MENTAL HEALTH*
   A client's capacity to provide lawful, proper and competent instructions ^{[Read excerpt]}
   LAURA SCOTTON [2018] 1 LNS(A) xcix

[2018] 1 LNS(A) xcix



AUSTRALIA

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MENTAL HEALTH*
A client's capacity to provide lawful, proper and competent instructions

LAURA SCOTTON

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It is incumbent upon every solicitor to ensure that, when taking instructions, they can be reasonably satisfied that their client has the requisite mental capacity to give and understand the instructions that they are intending to convey...

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Rule 8 of the Legal Profession (Solicitors) Conduct Rules 2015 (ACT) provides that a solicitor must follow a client's lawful, proper, and competent instructions. Implicit in this is the requirement that a solicitor be confident that their client has the capacity to give those instructions.

Some areas of the profession are probably more attuned to these requirements than others. Certainly, practitioners acting in wills and estates will be very familiar with the requirements surrounding capacity and the issues that may arise in respect of same. However, it is incumbent upon every solicitor to ensure that, when taking instructions, they can be reasonably satisfied that their client has the requisite mental capacity to give and understand the instructions that they are intending to convey. If not satisfied, the solicitor must not act for or represent the client.As has been found recently, a failure to be alert to issues of incapacity has the potential to generate liability in negligence on the part of solicitors.^[1]

. . .

* Published with kind permission of the Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory. See Ethos No. 246 December 2017.

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