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Issue #48/2018 29 November 2018

New This Week Case(s) of the Week BAR COUNCIL MALAYSIA v. TUN DATO' SERI ARIFIN ZAKARIA & ORS AND ANOTHER REFERENCE; PERSATUAN PEGUAM-PEGUAM MUSLIM MALAYSIA (INTERVENER) [2018] 10 CLJ 129 Latest Cases Legal Network Series CLJ 2018 Volume 10 (Part 2) Articles LNS Article(s) Legislation Highlights Principal Acts Amending Acts PU(A) PU(B) Legislation Alert

BAR COUNCIL MALAYSIA v.
TUN DATO' SERI ARIFIN ZAKARIA & ORS AND ANOTHER REFERENCE;
PERSATUAN PEGUAM-PEGUAM MUSLIM MALAYSIA (INTERVENER) [2018] 10 CLJ 129
FEDERAL COURT, PUTRAJAYA
HASAN LAH FCJ, ZAINUN ALI FCJ, RAMLY ALI FCJ, BALIA YUSOF WAHI FCJ, AZIAH ALI FCJ, ALIZATUL KHAIR OSMAN FCJ
[CIVIL REFERENCES NO: 06(f)-1-01-2018(W) & 06(f)-5-02-2018(Q)]
24 SEPTEMBER 2018

CIVIL PROCEDURE: Judge – Appointment of judges – Appointment of judges as Chief Justice of Malaysia and President of Court of Appeal after mandatory retirement – Whether valid and constitutional – Whether matter rendered academic – Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 84

CIVIL PROCEDURE: Judge – Conflict – Appointment of judges as Chief Justice of Malaysia and President of Court of Appeal after mandatory retirement – Appointed judges resigned after change of Government – Coram member hearing matter of validity and constitutionality of appointment of judges appointed as Chief Judge of Malaya – Whether participation of judge in coram in conflict – Whether there was danger of biasness – Whether judge in coram ought to withdraw herself from hearing matter – Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 84

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: Judges – Appointment – Appointment of judges as Chief Justice of Malaysia and President of Court of Appeal after mandatory appointments – Whether valid and constitutional – Whether matter rendered academic – Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 84

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Legal Network Series

[2018] 1 LNS 185	PARTIBAN PANISILO v. TIMBALAN MENTERI DALAM NEGERI, MALAYSIA & ANOR CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: Fundamental liberties – Habeas corpus – Application for writ of – Grounds for challenging detention order – Procedural impropriety – Whether mala fide exercise of power amounts to procedural impropriety – Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, s. 6(1) CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: Fundamental liberties – Habeas corpus – Application for writ of – Grounds for challenging detention order – Procedural impropriety – Whether any delay in issuing the DO – Whether detention order signed on same day as commencement date of detention – Whether legal obligation to explain delay – Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, s. 6(1) CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: Fundamental liberties – Right to be heard – Detenu and counsel asked to leave proceedings after making submissions – Detenu and counsel not allowed to hear submissions by Conducting Officer – Detenu and counsel unable to rebut submissions by Conducting Officer – Whether representations made by detenu effective – Whether Advisory Board had discretion to exclude the detenu and counsel – Whether testimony subject to security considerations – Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, ss. 10, 14 – Federal Constitution, art. 151 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: Fundamental liberties – Habeas corpus – Application for writ of – Grounds for challenging detention order – Statutory requirement for investigations to be carried out – Whether investigations carried out – Whether complete report of investigations submitted – Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, ss. 3, 14 – Federal Constitution, art. 151 WORDS & PHRASES: 'Forthwith' – Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) (Advisory Board Procedure) Rules 1987, r. 3(4) – Written representations to be forwarded "forthwith" – Delay of three days – Whether such delay falls within meaning of "forthwith" – Whether weekend and public holidays factors to consider For the applicant – Danial Amir; M/s Zafri & Partners  For the respondents – Hemy Annerina; Pejabat Penasihat Undang-Undang, Kementerian Dalam Negeri
[2018] 1 LNS 197	DUBLIN EDWARD TINGGI v. PP CRIMINAL LAW: Penal Code – Section 304(a) - Culpable homicide not amounting to murder – Intention to cause death – Whether act of pushing deceased done with intention of causing death – Whether push was by strong force – Whether push showed intention of accused to cause injury likely to cause death CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Appeal – Trial judge's findings – Failure of trial judge to direct himself on essential ingredients of offence – Trial judge's advantage of hearing and watching witness – Trial judge's opportunity to scrutinize demeanour of witness – Whether interference warranted  For the appellant – Augustine Liom; M/s Tang & Company  For the respondent – DPP Mohd Afif Ali
[2017] 1 LNS 349	PP lwn. YIP YEE FOO & SATU LAGI PROSEDUR JENAYAH: Pembelaan – Penafian – Pertuduhan pecah amanah jenayah – Dakwaan penyalahgunaan dana syarikat – Anggapan curang – Pengarah-pengarah syarikat telah bersetuju wang syarikat digunakan bagi tujuan pelaburan – Kewujudan resolusi syarikat berhubung pelaburan – Sama ada anggapan curang di bawah s. 409B(1)(b) Kanun Keseksaan telah disangkal – Sama ada pihak pembelaan telah menimbulkan suatu keraguan yang munasabah terhadap kes pendakwaan UNDANG-UNDANG JENAYAH: Subahat – Penyubahat – Sabitan terhadap penyubahat – Pesalah utama dilepaskan dan dibebaskan – Sama ada penyubat yang dituduh kerana membantu pesalah utama melakukan kesalahan boleh disabitkan atas kesalahan bersubahat jika pesalah utama dilepaskan dan dibebaskan  Bagi pihak perayu – Roz Mawar Rozain & Aimi Khalidah, Timbalan Pendakwa Raya; Suruhanjaya Sekuriti  Bagi pihak responden pertama – Ng Aik Guan; T/n Ng Aik Guan & Co  Bagi pihak responden kedua – Gobind Singh Deo & Haijan Omar; T/n Gobind Singh Deo & Co
[2017] 1 LNS 2093	THE SELANGOR OMNIBUS CO BHD lwn. PENTADBIR TANAH WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR UNDANG-UNDANG TANAH: Pengambilan tanah – Perintah pampasan – Bangunan perniagaan – Pemohon menjalankan operasi perniagaan di dalam bangunan dengan segala kemudahan – Pentadbir tanah meletakkan susut nilai 70% – Sama ada susut nilai pada kadar 50% adalah lebih berpatutan – Sama ada awad tambahan bagi pecah pisah dan kesan mudarat wajar diberikan – Sama ada kaedah perbandingan adalah kaedah penilaian tanah yang terbaik dan adil  Bagi pihak pemohon – Masitah Alias; T/n Hazidin Chan  Bagi pihak responden – Narkunavathy Sundareson, Jabatan Peguam Negara Penilai-Penilai:  Bagi pihak penilai kerajaan – Suhaimi Harun, Registered Valuer, Penilai Daerah  Bagi pihak penilai swasta – Ery Zuwardi Anuar, Registered Valuer
[2017] 1 LNS 2096	TSS SECURITY SERVICES (M) SDN BHD lwn. PERTAP SINGH SANTA SINGH KONTRAK: Ketidaksahan di sisi undang-undang – Penguatkuasaan – Plaintif menjalankan perniagaan agensi persendirian atas nama defendan – Plaintif tidak mempunyai lesen untuk menjalankan perniagaan agensi persendirian – Sama ada perjanjian yang dibuat antara plaintif dan defendan adalah bertentangan dengan s. 3(1) Akta Agensi Persendirian 1971 - Sama ada perjanjian yang tidak sah di sisi undang-undang boleh dikuatkuasakan PROSEDUR SIVIL: Pliding – Perkara-perkara yang perlu diplidkan – Pertimbangan mahkamah – Ketidaksahan di sisi undang-undang – Sama ada ketidaksahan boleh dipertimbangkan dan diputuskan oleh mahkamah walaupun tidak diplid  Bagi pihak perayu – Gurmit Singh & Rajinder Singh; T/n Gurmit & Co  Bagi pihak responden – Harvinder Singh; T/n Harvinder Singh & Co

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CLJ 2018 Volume 10 (Part 2)

FEDERAL COURT

Bar Council Malaysia v. Tun Dato' Seri Arifin Zakaria & Ors And Another Reference; Persatuan Peguam-peguam Muslim Malaysia (Intervener)
Hasan Lah, Zainun Ali, Ramly Ali, Balia Yusof Wahi, Aziah Ali, Alizatul Khair Osman FCJJ
(Civil Procedure; Constitutional Law – Appointment of judges as Chief Justice of Malaysia and President of Court of Appeal after mandatory retirement – Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 84) [2018] 10 CLJ 129 [FC]

CME Group Bhd v. Bellajade Sdn Bhd & Another Appeal
Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin PCA, Zainun Ali, Azahar Mohamed, Zaharah Ibrahim, Balia Yusof Wahi FCJJ
(Contract; Land Law – Conversion – Whether tenancy for commercial use of land, which was by condition for residential use, illegal and void – National Land Code, ss. 89, 124, 128 & 204) [2018] 10 CLJ 147 [FC]

 For the 1st appellant - Gopal Sri Ram, KY Sim & David Yii; M/s KY Sim & Co
 For the 2nd appellant - K Kirubakaran & Desmond Ng; M/s Shui-Tai
 For the respondent - M Pathmanathan, Michele Kaur, Shanti Pathmanathan & Shireen Pathmanathan; M/s Sun & Michele

APPEAL COURT

Ch'ng Ghee Weng & Anor v. Lee Khoon Eng T/A Prestige Construction
Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Badariah Sahamid, Mary Lim JJCA
(Contract – Claim for balance sum due under construction contract – Claim founded on quantum meruit basis – Whether claimant entitled to claim – Contracts Act 1950, s. 71) [2018] 10 CLJ 189 [CA]

 For the appellants - Saw Lip Khai & Wong Xian Zheng; M/s Chooi, Saw & Lim
 For the respondent - Ang Khoon Cheong; M/s CP Ang & Co 

Selvanathan Thiruvengadam & Anor v. John Varistus Totu & Anor
Rohana Yusuf, Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal JJCA
(Land Law – Sale and purchase of property – Whether failure to obtain consent rendered transaction unlawful) [2018] 10 CLJ 207 [CA]

 For the appellants - Joseph Iruthayam; M/s Joseph Iruthayam & Co
 For the respondents - Gerard Samuel & AC Devi; M/s Gerard Samuel & Assocs 

Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah v. Tommy Thomas & Ors
David Wong Dak Wah CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Umi Kalthum Abdul Majid, Ahmadi Asnawi JJCA
(Legal Profession; Tort – Professional etiquette – Appellant appointed as lead counsel for Public Prosecutor – Whether appellant allowed himself to be part of political agenda) [2018] 10 CLJ 222 [CA]

 For the appellant - Muhammad Shafee Abdullah; M/s Shafee & Co
 For the 1st respondent - Ambiga Sreenevasan, Michael Yap Chih Hong & Lim Wei Jit; M/s Tommy Thomas
 For the 2nd respondent - Porres Royan; M/s Kumar Partnership
 For the 3rd respondent - Lambert Rasa-Ratnam, Andrew Chiew Ean Vooi, Kenneth Seet Wan Zheng & Diana Lau An Na; M/s Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill 

HIGH COURT

John Stephen Konalen lwn. PP
Azmi Abdullah PK
(Undang-Undang Jenayah; Keterangan – Percanggahan tentang tempat barangan curi diambil – Sama ada menimbulkan kesangsian terhadap kes pendakwaan – Sama ada anggapan bertentangan dibangkitkan – Akta Keterangan 1950, s. 114(g)) [2018] 10 CLJ 260 [HC]

 Bagi pihak perayu - Rosman Azwan Osman; T/n Ummi Zakaria & Partners
 Bagi pihak pendakwaan - Emma Syafawati Abdul Wahab; TPR 

Lonpac Insurance Bhd v. Lucky Frozen Sdn Bhd & Ors
Wong Chee Lin JC
(Civil Procedure; Road Traffic; Insurance – Insurance – Whether insurers' policy term covered negligence of authorised driver – Road Transport Act 1987, s. 96(3)) [2018] 10 CLJ 268 [HC]

 For the plaintiff - Najibah Saari; M/s VP Nathan & Partners
 For the 3rd defendant - M Ramachelvam & Nurul Syuhada Abdullah; M/s Rama-Rozi & Assocs 

SUBJECT INDEX

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Judge – Appointment of judges – Appointment of judges as Chief Justice of Malaysia and President of Court of Appeal after mandatory retirement – Whether valid and constitutional – Whether matter rendered academic – Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 84
Bar Council Malaysia v. Tun Dato’ Seri Arifin Zakaria & Ors And Another Reference; Persatuan Peguam-peguam Muslim Malaysia (Intervener)
(Hasan Lah, Zainun Ali, Ramly Ali, Balia Yusof Wahi, Aziah Ali, Alizatul Khair Osman FCJJ) [2018] 10 CLJ 129 [FC]

Judge – Conflict – Appointment of judges as Chief Justice of Malaysia and President of Court of Appeal after mandatory retirement – Appointed judges resigned after change of Government – Coram member hearing matter of validity and constitutionality of appointment of judges appointed as Chief Judge of Malaya – Whether participation of judge in coram in conflict – Whether there was danger of biasness – Whether judge in coram ought to withdraw herself from hearing matter – Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 84
Bar Council Malaysia v. Tun Dato’ Seri Arifin Zakaria & Ors And Another Reference; Persatuan Peguam-peguam Muslim Malaysia (Intervener)
(Hasan Lah, Zainun Ali, Ramly Ali, Balia Yusof Wahi, Aziah Ali, Alizatul Khair Osman FCJJ) [2018] 10 CLJ 129 [FC]

Judgments and orders – Declaratory order and notice – Insurer sought declaratory order on issue of liability – Whether order and notice properly served – Application to set aside order – Whether should be allowed
Lonpac Insurance Bhd v. Lucky Frozen Sdn Bhd & Ors
(Wong Chee Lin JC) [2018] 10 CLJ 268 [HC]

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Judges – Appointment – Appointment of judges as Chief Justice of Malaysia and President of Court of Appeal after mandatory retirement – Whether valid and constitutional – Whether matter rendered academic – Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 84
Bar Council Malaysia v. Tun Dato’ Seri Arifin Zakaria & Ors And Another Reference; Persatuan Peguam-peguam Muslim Malaysia (Intervener)
(Hasan Lah, Zainun Ali, Ramly Ali, Balia Yusof Wahi, Aziah Ali, Alizatul Khair Osman FCJJ) [2018] 10 CLJ 129 [FC]

CONTRACT

Agreement – Tenancy agreement – Breach – Tenant defaulted in payment of rental – Claim for recovery of outstanding and remaining rentals by landlord – Tenancy contravened express condition of title of land where premises were built on – Whether tenant aware of contravention of express condition of title when it entered into tenancy agreement – Whether tenancy agreement valid – Whether tenancy agreement contract discovered to be void within meaning of s. 66 of Contracts Act 1950 – Whether tenant liable to pay outstanding rental due under tenancy agreement – Whether tenant entitled to recover payments of rental previously made
CME Group Bhd v. Bellajade Sdn Bhd & Another Appeal
(Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin PCA, Zainun Ali, Azahar Mohamed, Zaharah Ibrahim, Balia Yusof Wahi FCJJ) [2018] 10 CLJ 147 [FC]

Claims – Sums due under contract – Claim for balance sum due under construction contract – Claim founded on quantum meruit basis – Whether claim maintainable in law on quantum meruit basis – Whether there was valid existing contract between parties – Whether claimant entitled to claim – Whether claim for quantum meruit based in contract or in restitution properly spelt out – Whether basis and material facts upon which quantum meruit premised on properly pleaded – Contracts Act 1950, s. 71
Ch’ng Ghee Weng & Anor v. Lee Khoon Eng T/A Prestige Construction
(Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Badariah Sahamid, Mary Lim JJCA) [2018] 10 CLJ 189 [CA]

INSURANCE

Motor insurance – Liability – Victim of accident injured due to lorry driver’s negligence – Whether lorry driver an authorised driver – Whether insurers’ policy term covered negligence of authorised driver – Whether insurers liable for negligent act of authorised lorry driver – Road Transport Act 1987, s. 96(3)
Lonpac Insurance Bhd v. Lucky Frozen Sdn Bhd & Ors
(Wong Chee Lin JC) [2018] 10 CLJ 268 [HC]

LAND LAW

Conversion – Submission for surrender, re-alienation, amalgamation and conversion of land use from ‘residential’ to ‘commercial’ and ‘mixed development’ – Whether approval by State Authority operates as approval of land use – Whether change of condition of land takes effect upon endorsement of same on issue document of title to land – Whether tenancy for commercial use of land, which was by condition for residential use, illegal and void – National Land Code, 89, 124, 128 & 204
CME Group Bhd v. Bellajade Sdn Bhd & Another Appeal
(Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin PCA, Zainun Ali, Azahar Mohamed, Zaharah Ibrahim, Balia Yusof Wahi FCJJ) [2018] 10 CLJ 147 [FC]

Sale and purchase of property – Transfer – Restriction in interest – Consent to transfer from State Authority – Whether merely a limitation or prohibition – Whether consent obtained – Whether failure to obtain consent rendered transaction unlawful – Whether vendor acted in bad faith in thwarting consent order by misrepresentation of facts
Selvanathan Thiruvengadam & Anor v. John Varistus Totu & Anor
(Rohana Yusuf, Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal JJCA) [2018] 10 CLJ 207 [CA]

Sale and purchase of property – Termination – Restriction in interest – Consent to transfer from State Authority – Whether obtained – Whether failure to obtain consent rendered transaction unlawful – Whether termination lawful – Whether purchasers ready and willing to continue with agreement – Whether purchasers entitled to order of specific performance
Selvanathan Thiruvengadam & Anor v. John Varistus Totu & Anor
(Rohana Yusuf, Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal JJCA) [2018] 10 CLJ 207 [CA]

LEGAL PROFESSION

Malaysian Bar – Bar Council – Whether President of Bar Council has legal identity within Legal Profession Act 1976 – Whether President could be sued – Whether rightful party to be sued is Bar Council
Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah v. Tommy Thomas & Ors
(David Wong Dak Wah CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Umi Kalthum Abdul Majid, Ahmadi Asnawi JJCA) [2018] 10 CLJ 222 [CA]

Practice and etiquette – Professional etiquette – Appellant appointed as lead counsel for Public Prosecutor – Whether appellant allowed himself to be part of political agenda of political party – Whether appellant willingly and knowingly lent himself to political event to attack and diminish reputation of accused person – Whether intended to demean accused person – Whether appellant’s conduct was improper
Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah v. Tommy Thomas & Ors
(David Wong Dak Wah CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Umi Kalthum Abdul Majid, Ahmadi Asnawi JJCA) [2018] 10 CLJ 222 [CA]

ROAD TRAFFIC

Insurance – Motor insurance – Liability – Victim of accident injured due to lorry driver’s negligence – Whether lorry driver an authorised driver – Whether insurers’ policy term covered negligence of authorised driver – Whether insurers liable for negligent act of authorised lorry driver – Road Transport Act 1987, s. 96(3)
Lonpac Insurance Bhd v. Lucky Frozen Sdn Bhd & Ors
(Wong Chee Lin JC) [2018] 10 CLJ 268 [HC]

TORT

Defamation – Defences – Justification, qualified privilege and fair comment – Filing of motion in relation to conduct of appellant in context of breach of etiquette and publicity rules of Legal Profession Act 1976 – Whether there was malice – Whether motion amounted to complaint – Whether defences proven
Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah v. Tommy Thomas & Ors
(David Wong Dak Wah CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Umi Kalthum Abdul Majid, Ahmadi Asnawi JJCA) [2018] 10 CLJ 222 [CA]

Breach of statutory duty – Duties imposed by statute – Filing of motion in relation to conduct of appellant in context of breach of etiquette and publicity rules of Legal Profession Act 1976 – Whether Malaysian Bar legally bound to receive motion – Whether motion was direction from members to lodge complaint with Disciplinary Board if and when motion was carried – Whether an attempt by members to usurp statutory duties of Disciplinary Committee and Disciplinary Board
Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah v. Tommy Thomas & Ors
(David Wong Dak Wah CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Umi Kalthum Abdul Majid, Ahmadi Asnawi JJCA) [2018] 10 CLJ 222 [CA]

INDEKS PERKARA

KETERANGAN

Saksi-saksi – Kegagalan memanggil saksi penting – Sama ada anggapan bertentangan berbangkit – Sama ada wujud kelompangan dalam kes pendakwaan – Sama ada saksi diperlukan untuk memberi keterangan sokongan – Sama ada perayu diberikan perbicaraan adil – Akta Keterangan 1950, s. 114(g)
John Stephen Konalen lwn. PP
(Azmi Abdullah PK) [2018] 10 CLJ 260 [HC]

UNDANG-UNDANG JENAYAH

Kanun Keseksaan – Seksyen 380 – Elemen-elemen kesalahan – Sama ada dibuktikan – Sama ada pertuduhan defektif – Percanggahan tentang tempat barangan curi diambil – Sama ada menimbulkan kesangsian terhadap kes pendakwaan – Kegagalan memanggil saksi penting – Sama ada anggapan bertentangan dibangkitkan – Sama ada wujud kelompangan dalam kes pendakwaan – Sama ada perayu diberikan perbicaraan adil – Sama ada sabitan perayu selamat – Akta Keterangan 1950, s. 114(g)
John Stephen Konalen lwn. PP
(Azmi Abdullah PK) [2018] 10 CLJ 260 [HC]

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LNS Article(s)

1. BREACH OF NATURAL JUSTICE UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PAYMENT AND ADJUDICATION ACT 2012* ^{[Read excerpt]}
   MARINAH RAHMAT [2018] 1 LNS(A) cxxvi

[2018] 1 LNS(A) cxxvi



MALAYSIA

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BREACH OF NATURAL JUSTICE UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PAYMENT AND ADJUDICATION ACT 2012*

MARINAH RAHMAT

IN THIS ARTICLE, MARINAH RAHMAT EXAMINES HOW AN ADJUDICATION DECISION CAN BE SET ASIDE FOR BREACH OF NATURAL JUSTICE.

Introduction

The Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act 2012 ("Act") was introduced to address cash flow issues affecting contractors in the construction industry as a result of delays and/or lengthy periods of payment under construction contracts.

Under the Act, an unpaid party^[1] is entitled to initiate an adjudication proceeding in order to claim any amounts due and/or owing to them under a construction contract.

. . .

* Published with kind permission of M/s Shearn Delamore & Co.

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2. THE ILLEGALITY DEFENCE: JUDICIAL TREND IN MALAYSIA ^{[Read excerpt]}
   Heng Yee Keat* Kumara Guru Naiker** [2018] 1 LNS(A) cxxviii

[2018] 1 LNS(A) cxxviii



MALAYSIA

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THE ILLEGALITY DEFENCE: JUDICIAL TREND IN MALAYSIA

Heng Yee Keat*
Kumara Guru Naiker**

Introduction

In a civil claim, a defendant may resist the claim against him by arguing that the plaintiff should be deprived of his right to seek legal remedy because the claim is tainted by illegality and/or illegal conduct of the plaintiff. This is known as 'the illegality defence'. The question of how far the illegality or illegal conduct of the plaintiff can afford the defendant a good defence, has long perplexed the courts in Malaysia and elsewhere. Whenever the illegality defence is raised, the courts are forced to make a choice between two deplorable consequences. On the one hand, if the illegality defence is accepted, it may result in a windfall for the defendant who may be equally blameworthy in the illegality or may have participated in the illegal conduct. On the other hand, if the courts were to reject the illegality defence, the courts may be seen to be condoning the illegality or illegal conduct of the plaintiff.

. . .

* Copyright © 2018 Heng Yee Keat, Advocate & Solicitor, High Court of Malaya. yee.keat.heng@christopherleeong. com

** Copyright © 2018 Kumara Guru Naiker, Paralegal. kumara.naiker@christopherleeong.com

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3. SLEEPWALKING THROUGH THE MINEFIELD
   Commercial surrogacy and the global response* ^{[Read excerpt]}
   THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN PASCOE [2018] 1 LNS(A) cxxix

[2018] 1 LNS(A) cxxix



AUSTRALIA

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SLEEPWALKING THROUGH THE MINEFIELD
Commercial surrogacy and the global response*

THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN PASCOE

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The Hon Chief Justice John Pascoe AC CVO, Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia, gave the 33rd Annual Blackburn Lecture during Law Week.

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Many would-be parents, who can offer a child a good life but cannot themselves conceive, experience an aching desire for a child to nurture and care for. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has enabled those with reproductive difficulties, or who are unable to have a child naturally, to have a family. ART is the proverbial stork that has delivered babies to the arms of many otherwise childless parents. In many and most situations this is a happy occasion.

. . .

* Published with kind permission of the Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory. See Ethos No. 248 June 2018.

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4. ANALYSIS OF THE RISING PROFILE OF EQUITABLE INTERESTS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO TRANSFER OF INTERESTS IN LAND UNDER NIGERIA LAND LAW ^{[Read excerpt]}
   DR. SOLOMON O. AFOLABI* [2018] 1 LNS(A) cxxvii

[2018] 1 LNS(A) cxxvii



NIGERIA

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ANALYSIS OF THE RISING PROFILE OF EQUITABLE INTERESTS AND THEIR APPLICATION
TO TRANSFER OF INTERESTS IN LAND UNDER NIGERIA LAND LAW

DR. SOLOMON O. AFOLABI*

ABSTRACT

Equitable interests in property are generally viewed as of lower value, particularly when they are in competition with legal interests. Generally, equitable interests are considered as minor interests, largely unwritten and if written, have failed to comply with all the necessary requirements and therefore are vulnerable and may be lost upon sale of the land to a new purchaser. However, the above view of equitable interests has undergone tremendous changes. Given the contributions of equity in validating most transactions which would have been otherwise invalid by strict application of the law, equitable rights have advanced almost to the status of legal rights. This paper discusses the distinction between equitable interests and legal interests in property and analyses the modern enhanced status of equitable interests. This paper also examines the application of the enhanced status of equitable interests to transfer of interests in land in Nigeria.

. . .

*LL.B (Ife), B.L, LL.M (ABU), M.BA, PhD(ABU). Lecturer, Private & Property Law, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. solomonafolabi101@gmail.com. 08036161754; 08058746597; 08029921101.

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