RM250,000 down the drain: four-time CLP exam limit dashes 26-year-old’s hope of becoming lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR – Karen (not her real name) has spent over RM250,000 to make sure her son can pursue a career as a lawyer.

However, because of the Legal Profession Qualifying Board’s (LPQB) stringent rules, her 26-year-old son may not be able to realise his dreams.

So far, Karen said, her son spent one year completing his pre-university and did two years of his law degree locally before going to the United Kingdom to complete his final year.

Upon returning to Malaysia, Karen’s son, given he had a foreign law degree, had to complete his Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) examinations conducted by LPQB to qualify as a lawyer in Malaysia.

But even with the necessary qualifications, he faced issues registering for the examination.

“Because my son did the O-levels, they initially did not recognise his qualifications. Fortunately, we got one of his lecturers to write an appeal to LPQB and they agreed to allow my son to sit for the exams,” Karen told The Vibes.

Among the qualifications required by potential candidates for the CLP examinations, as listed on LPQB’s website, are five credits in the SPM examinations or their equivalent.

The website specifically states that equivalent qualifications include the GCE O-levels.

Karen’s son sat for his first CLP examinations in 2017 and failed. He then tried to pass his papers another three times until this year.

Given that he failed the 2021 examination held in April, Karen’s son is barred from resitting for his papers again.

“The biggest hurdle getting through the CLP exams is the passing rate which ranges between 20% and 25%.

“My son has exhausted the four attempts. LPQB has set up a rule recently not allowing another registration,” Karen added.

In December 2016, LPQB released a statement limiting the number of times a student may sit for the CLP examinations.

Meanwhile, law graduates from local public higher institutions of learning are not required to sit for CLP examinations and are allowed to become lawyers after completing nine months of chambering.

So far, Karen said, she has written to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Suhakam, and LPQB appealing to them to allow their son to sit for the examinations.

The attorney-general also sits as chairman of LPQB.

Nevertheless, Karen’s efforts fell on deaf ears. She said not allowing her son to take the CLP examinations is unfair, given previous candidates were allowed unlimited tries.

“I think the current circumstances are not fair. Previously, candidates were allowed to resit unlimited times because the passing rate is too low. LPQB should be transparent with how they come up with their rules and policy,” she added.

LPQB is tasked under the Legal Profession Act 1976 to act as a gatekeeper for those intending to enter the legal profession in Malaysia.

They are also in charge of holding the CLP examinations required for those with recognised foreign law degrees intending to become an advocate and solicitor in the country. – The Vibes, October 5, 2021