Recap of Legal Aid 101

Introduction

Legal workshops provide an invaluable opportunity for law students to gain insight into real-life legal applications. On June 19, 2024, Taylor's Legal Aid Centre & Street Law x ALSA Taylor's organized an informative sharing session titled "Legal Aid 101." This session aimed to equip law students with essential knowledge about legal aid services prior to their mandatory legal aid work during pupillage.

The event featured two esteemed speakers: Mr. Choo Dee Wei and Ms. Kyleigh Teo. Mr. Choo Dee Wei is an experienced lawyer who has been admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya since 2007. In his 18 years of practice, Mr. Choo has encountered a wide range of disputes in various courts, from the Magistrate Courts to the Federal Court, handling cases from the mundane to the bizarre.

Ms. Kyleigh Teo is the Managing Partner of the renowned Law Firm of Teo. Due to her exceptional leadership and dedication in the legal profession, the firm has recently garnered several accolades, including the Corporate & Commercial Law Firm of the Year in Global Awards 2023/2024 by Corporate LiveWire UK, the Best Boutique Corporate & Commercial Law Firm 2023 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Acquisition International UK, and the Leading Corporate & Commercial Law Firm 2023 Malaysia for the APAC Business Awards 2023. 

Opening remark

Michelle Lee, the moderator, commenced the session with a warm welcome to the speakers and provided a brief overview. The session was structured into four main agendas. It began with a short Q&A on the basics of legal aid, followed by the speakers sharing their inspiring legal aid experiences. The next segment consisted of a Q&A session focusing on client-based questions. Finally, the event concluded with an open Q&A for participants, allowing attendees to address their specific concerns and queries directly to the speakers.

Legal Aid Q&A Session

During the first Q&A, the speakers alternately shared their previous experiences with legal aid, giving attendees a broad perspective on future legal aid practice. Ms. Kyleigh began the discussion by introducing the fundamental concept of legal aid. When addressing the adequacy of a one-day-a-week legal aid service, she emphasized that the mandatory 14-day legal aid period should be viewed as a minimum requirement rather than a limit. She encouraged pupils to contribute further if they could manage their workload effectively.

Ms. Kyleigh also recounted her involvement in an awareness program in High Courts touting. She described her efforts to combat this illegal practice, which not only tarnishes the reputation of the legal profession but also adversely affects vulnerable parties.

Mr. Choo then shared his time volunteering with UNHCR and participating in the dock brief program for legal aid services. He offered insights into professional development opportunities, comparing past and present procedures. Illustrating the technological changes over time, Mr. Choo remarked, “I realized there’s quite a huge generational gap. WhatsApp didn't exist in my time, so I had to deliver application forms personally by hand.”

Speakers’ Sharing Session

Moving on, Ms. Kyleigh provided an in-depth summary of her mandatory 14-day legal aid experience. She covered application processes, practical legal research methodologies, and offered valuable tips for addressing challenges in the legal field. Her real-life anecdotes effectively helped prepare attendees for their first legal aid service, giving them a tangible sense of what to expect.

Like most pupils, Ms. Kyleigh lacked confidence when she first entered the legal aid center. “I didn’t know what I should do, despite the training provided,” she admitted. “Fortunately, the legal aid procedure is carried out alongside a partner.” A significant challenge Ms. Kyleigh faced was dealing with ‘unknown unknowns.’ She explained, “There's a knowledge gap because you never know who your client will be. Doing legal aid means you have to research a wide range of issues.”

To cope with these challenges, Ms. Kyleigh encouraged pupils to do their best to understand each situation or consult senior lawyers when needed. Recognizing that clients may be emotional and vulnerable, she suggested that pupils should reassure them during interviews. She also recommended observing how experienced lawyers conduct interviews and noting them down, or repeatedly reviewing clients' documents beforehand to facilitate smoother interactions.

Mr. Choo complemented these client interview techniques by emphasizing the importance of active listening. "Listen, but not only listen," he reiterated. "I always take notes so that I can guide the client to reveal more details." He explained that note-taking not only instills confidence in clients by demonstrating professionalism but also helps pinpoint specific information when submitting cases in court. Also, Mr. Choo opined that while pupils needn't memorize every case law, they should know where to start their research and which existing statutes to reference. "Always read beyond the law," he advised. “Understanding what’s going on in the world today. That will come in very handy when dealing with clients.”

Speaking about workload, Mr. Choo shared his immersive dock brief experience. He described visiting lockups to interview the accused, asking about their intentions to plea, and identifying grounds for mitigation. He also addressed the issue of touting, which Ms. Kyleigh had mentioned earlier, in the context of the dock brief program. Although the dock brief program isn't a mandatory part of legal aid service, it applies to criminal proceedings for pupils who are interested in criminal law matters. This comprehensive sharing provided attendees with a well-rounded understanding of both the practical aspects and ethical considerations of legal aid work.

Client-based Q&A Session

The subsequent Q&A session addressed various client-related scenarios. The esteemed panelists elaborated on the qualification criteria for individuals seeking legal aid, explaining the application procedures and required documentation. They also discussed how legal aid centers collaborate with other social service agencies to provide comprehensive support.

The prerequisite conditions and materials vary among institutions, with both specific and financial aspects to be taken into consideration. They clarified that client assignment is based on lawyers' expertise and availability, underscoring that the system operates on trust. Consequently, clients do not have the right to choose their legal aid lawyer.

This session provided attendees with a clear framework for understanding potential clients and the prerequisites for legal aid service. To further support the participants' learning, the speakers shared several informative websites for additional research and reference.

Participants Q&A Session

The final agenda opened the floor for participants to engage directly with the panelists. Notably, both speakers offered a thoughtful perspective, “It's not about how far you go, it's about how you go as a lawyer. Take things slowly, stick to your beliefs, and that's what matters.” This wise life lesson, reflecting the panelists' profound thinking, wrapped up the Q&A session. It was evident that after gaining a deeper understanding of legal aid services, the audience had developed a more nuanced perspective on legal practice.

Closing remarks

As the event drew to a close, Ho Jia Xuan, the LAC coordinator, concluded the session by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the speakers and all participants.

Personal take away

As an attendee, I found the insights shared by Ms. Kyleigh and Mr. Choo incredibly valuable. Prior to this seminar, my understanding of legal aid was quite limited, and I was uncertain about what to expect from the mandatory legal aid service. The fact that my notebook is filled with five pages of notes is a testament to how enlightening this seminar was. Ms. Kyleigh and Mr. Choo's presentations not only broadened my perspective on legal aid but also left me feeling more confident and prepared for this aspect of my legal career.

Written by: Lee Yi Gin

Edited by: Ho Jia Xuan