Dear Members and Pupils in Chambers,

RE : IMPORTANT NOTICE ON “SHORT CALL” ORDERS FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION ACT 1976
“SHORT CALL” ORDERS — MALAYSIAN BAR CIRCULAR NO. 233/2026 DATED 21 JULY 2026

We refer to Malaysian Bar Circular No. 233/2026 dated 21 July 2026 concerning the amendments to the Legal Profession Act 1976 (“LPA”), which came into operation on 9 May 2025.

Members, Masters and pupils in chambers are requested to take immediate note of the following:

Pursuant to the amended sections 11(1)(e) and 15(3)(h) of the LPA, a petitioner is required to obtain an order under sections 36(2)(a) and (b) of the LPA, commonly known as a “Short Call” order, before being admitted as an advocate and solicitor.

A true copy of the sealed “Short Call” order must be exhibited in the petition for admission, either as an exhibit to Borang 6 or by way of an additional affidavit.

The “Short Call” application must be filed within thirty (30) days from the commencement of pupillage, namely, from the date Borang 1 and Borang 2 are filed.

Where the 30-day period has expired, the Master must first obtain leave of the Court pursuant to section 36(2A) of the LPA before the late “Short Call” application may proceed.

The amended section 36(2)(b) of the LPA now permits a pupil to “conduct any cause, matter or trial” before a Magistrate. Where an existing “Short Call” order reflects the previous wording, the Master may apply for a variation of the order pursuant to section 36(5) of the LPA.

Until a variation order is granted, a pupil whose “Short Call” order reflects the previous wording must continue to act strictly within the scope of that order.

Members are further advised that the current Borang 3 and Borang 6 prescribed by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (“LPQB”) have yet to be updated to reflect the amended provisions. Pending the necessary amendments by the LPQB, members may refer to the amended Borang 3 and Borang 6 provided in Malaysian Bar Circular No. 233/2026 as a guide.

For applications filed outside Kuala Lumpur, including in Perak, Borang 3 is to be e-filed as a Saman Pemula. Pursuant to section 36(3) of the LPA, the application is required to be served only upon the Bar Council and the relevant State Bar Committee.

The Bar Council has also decided that the Bar Council and State Bar Committees will not object to any amendment or variation application, whether made orally or in writing, intended to give effect to the amended provisions. Any related non-compliance will be regarded as an irregularity that is not fatal and should not, in itself, be the subject of an objection.

Members, Masters and pupils in chambers are strongly encouraged to refer to Malaysian Bar Circular No. 233/2026 and to ensure that all “Short Call” applications comply with the amended provisions of the LPA.

For further enquiries, kindly contact the Malaysian Bar Admission Department by email at admissionstaff@malaysianbar.org.my or by telephone at 03-2050 2145.

Thank you.

MEOR MOHAMMAD ARIFF BIN MEOR SULAIMAN
Chairperson
Young Lawyers and Pupils in Chambers Sub Committee
Perak Bar Committee