The amendment bill, which the Dewan Negara approved on Dec 17, amends Section 77(1) of the LPA to empower the council to formulate rules on various matters, including payments to chambering students.
The Bar Council has, following the amendment, appointed economic advisory firm EconWorks to advise on and provide the recommended framework for the minimum wage.
“In this regard, the advisory firm will conduct two surveys, one directed at law firms, and the other at pupils and first-year legal assistants,” it said in a recent circular to all legal firms sighted by FMT.
It expects the survey to be completed by Jan 10.
The council urged all pupils and first-year legal assistants to take part in the survey. It said the data will allow it to understand the baseline pay structure and the gap between firms and pupils.
The proposal for a minimum wage was first mooted about a decade ago after several chambering students complained of low allowances received during their pupillage, especially from sole proprietorships and firms located in smaller towns.
In 2022, a group of young lawyers called for pupils to be paid in accordance with the current minimum wage of RM1,500 under the Employment Act 1955. Pupils are not classified as employees under the Act.
Law graduates who wish to be admitted to the Bar must undergo nine months of mandatory training in chambers.
A Kuala Lumpur-based lawyer, when contacted, said the move would mainly impact the smaller firms as the bigger ones based in major cities already pay between RM2,500 to RM4,000 per month for pupils.
“We have heard of some firms paying low allowances of between RM1,000 to RM1,500, which is below the national minimum wage. The new rules will check some exploitation,” said the lawyer who requested anonymity. - FMT
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