Circular No: 136/2022
Date: 23 September 2022
Dear Members of the Kuala Lumpur Bar,
On 8 September 2022, the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee Civil Practice & Court Liaison Committee (“KLBC CPCLC”) held a meeting with the new Director of the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex to discuss feedback raised by members pertaining to the infrastructure and facilities at the Kuala Lumpur Court and other arising issues.
The KLBC CPCLC was represented by the Honorary Secretary, Alvin Oh Seong Yew and its Co-Chairpersons, Nimalan Devaraja and Lim Yin Faye.
We set out below a brief summary of the matters discussed during the said meeting:
Court Infrastructure And Facilities At The Kuala Lumpur Court
1. Toilet
The Director informed us that at present, the Court staff carried out checks on the cleanliness of the toilets at least three times a day. In addition, action will be taken if a complaint is received regarding a specific toilet.
If members notice any issues with the cleanliness, lack of supplies and/or vandalism in respect of the toilets, members are encouraged to immediately inform the Ketua Bahagian Kebersihan, Encik Mohd Kamarul Azman bin Othman at kamarul@kehakiman.gov.my so that prompt action may be taken.
2. Cafeteria
2.1 Ramp At The Cafeteria
A suggestion was made to build a ramp at the staircase leading to the cafeteria for easier access for lawyers with counsel bags / boxes of documents.
The Court responded that they understand the issue and will consider the request depending on the allocation of the budget, if any.
2.2 Variety Of Food
Due to poor demand leading to unsustainability of business, it was reported that there were several operators who have withdrawn from continuing their operations in the cafeteria such as the operators who provided vegetarian cuisine and western cuisine.
If members know of any interested vendors who wish to operate stalls at the cafeteria, they can contact Tuan Ashraf Rezal bin Abdul Manan at ashraf@kehakiman.gov.my (Attention to the Pengarah, Y.Bhg Datin Sabariah binti Othman).
3.Entrances At The Left And Right Wings Of The Court
We have requested that the Director consider reopening the entrances on the right and left wings of the Court Complex.
We were informed that the entrances cannot be reopened at present as the Court Complex officials are still required to check the MySejahtera profile of members and the public.
4. Drop-Off At The Porch Area
At the moment, vehicles are only allowed to drop passengers on the driveway in front of the entrance of the Court Complex. The Director has decided to restrict access to the porch area due to members / the public parking their cars at the porch area leading to congestion.
The Director has informed us that the Court Complex will open access to the porch area when it rains. In addition, members can also request for access to the porch area from the guards guarding the entrance of the Court Complex when they have many bags/boxes to unload.
5. Wi-Fi For Lawyers
We received feedback from members requesting that Wi-Fi be made publicly available for lawyers at the Court Complex. This is especially so as hearings and/or trials are now conducted via e-paperless hearings.
Unfortunately, the Director has informed us that they currently have no budget to provide Wi-Fi throughout the entire Court Complex. At present, the budget allocated for the year is only sufficient to sustain the Court Complex building and to carry out much needed structural renovations and/or repairs.
Members are reminded that for those who require internet access to conduct any work whilst waiting for a case, have an option to utilise the Bar Room on Level 5, Left Wing, Kuala Lumpur Court Complex which provides free Wi-Fi.
In the meantime, the KLBC CPCLC will continue liaising with the relevant stakeholders to try and have the Court Complex equipped with Wi-Fi in the near future.
Feedback On Mode of Hearing in respect of Uncontested Probate, Letters of Administration Matters and Joint Petition
We have received feedback that several members have indicated that they favour joint petition hearings, and uncontested probate and letters of administration hearings to be conducted virtually instead of physical hearings due to the wait time in Court. We wish to request feedback from members on this.
Click here to submit your feedback. Kindly let us have your feedback by Friday, 30 September 2022.
Feedback Received From The Court
The Director informed us that Court officials have noticed several lawyers uploading and sharing screenshots of Zoom hearings / case managements on their social media platforms. Members are reminded to observe the same etiquette as open court proceedings and/or physical proceedings when they conduct hearings / trials / case managements by way of video link / zoom.
Members are further reminded that they are not allowed to record or take screenshots of the matters, unless with the Court’s express written consent.
Members are implored to observe the Court’s directions and to not post any pictures or videos of Court proceedings on any of their social media sites or anywhere else on the world wide web.
The Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee takes the view that non-compliance with the same may amount to a complaint being lodged with the Advocates & Solicitors Disciplinary Board.
Members’ kind attention to this reminder would be greatly appreciated.
Vivekananda Sukumaran
Chairman
Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee
Nimalan Devaraja
Lim Yin Faye
Co-Chairpersons
Civil Practice & Court Liaison Committe