Things to know about studying law for SPM grads

Content
-What you will study
-Process of becoming a lawyer, or something else
-After studying
-Types of lawyers
-Other than becoming a lawyer
-Pointers, or just my perspective really

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First, it’s what you will study.

1- Substantive Law – This is for example, if someone is convicted of murder, he is sentenced to 20 years in prison.
2- Procedural Law- In order to prove the murder, there must be a witness, a murder weapon. He must not be sentenced until proven guilty. He will serve half his sentence if he is a well behaved prisoner.
In short, substantive is apa. Procedural is bagaimana.
The most common example, is the ISA which ignores the Bagaimana element. That is why ppl object it.

3- Political science. Like why some countries have Prime Ministers, and some countries have Presidents instead.

4- Legal systems. The one in Malaysia differs than the one in Singapore and UK and India. So they compare the differences. It also teaches you how your own legal system works. Like the various levels of Court room. High Court, Supreme Court. Depending on where you study.

5- Legal history and sources. Like how law develop. Sources of law (religion, or morality, or will of the people in that era, or a combination?)

6- Areas of law. Criminal. Contract. Constitutional. Land. Family. International. Equity. Bankruptcy.
For UiTM, and I assume other Malaysian and English Uni, almost everything you learn are law subjects. But in the US, Australia maybe and some other places, only 40-60% are law subjects, and the rest tu, your choice. Business, theatre, art. Terpulang.

7- Jurisprudence (theories of law). Legal schools of thought. This is similar to number five. Here you learn about Islamic Jurisprudence, Christian, American, Scandinavian, Feminist. Like you know how in US freedom of speech is like absolute. But in Malaysia somethings you can’t say in public, that’s jurisprudence. Also for example, some professors argue that laws like ISA is good or a must. Because they argue if there is chaos, then there’s no point in having law because people will not obey it anyway.

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Ok now with the studying, and then what happens after the studying.

After SPM, you can do
1- Matriculation (Law)
2- A Levels
3- STPM
4- Pre Law

All of the above, can take between 12-18 months.

For 4, it is a program created by the Uni itself, therefore when you grad, you automatically enter the degree program with no hassle. However, you can change Uni if you want.
For 1, it is a government program under the Ministry (somewhat), but hosted by a government University. So when you grad, you have to apply to join a law school. And because most local public Uni’s have set a quota of how many ppl they want to take from the Matric program, it can be quite competitive (depending on where you apply).

The degree, 3 years

In the UK, you do your degree for 3 years at a law school in a uni. [1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year]
At this point, you are a law graduate, or someone with a law background.
What they teach you here, primarily consist of substantive law and theories. A little of procedure.
I will explain later what these are.

In Malaysia for Private University/College
Basically, you are doing the same as UK syllabus, except you’re doing it in Malaysia. This is probably the route you want to avoid, simply because you’re learning English Law in Malaysia. If you are for sure not, do not want to become a lawyer, then perhaps this might be an ok choice. If not, avoid it.

In Malaysia for Public University (UiTM, UM, UIA, etc)
You will learn Malaysian Law, of course. And because Malaysian Law roots from English, Indian, Islamic and some other laws, you will learn bits and pieces about them too. There will be comparisons throughout. I personally would not discourage you from going for any of there 3 Uni’s. Yes they are not perfect. But each of them are known for something or a few things good, despite what public thinks about them and despite their rivalry.

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After the degree

For UK grads, you have 3 options.
1- do your BVC (Bar Vocational Course) for 1 year at a few selected locations in the UK. You have to do this to become a lawyer. Or,
2- come back to KL, and do your CLP. It is difficult, we’re talking insanely difficult. And usually, all that effort does not equate in value. Most ppl who graduate from UK, do not do this. This CLP is done mostly by ppl who graduate from Private Uni’s in Malaysia. You have to do this to become a lawyer.
3- Go and work, whatever work. But you’re not a ‘lawyer’.

For Malaysian grads from Private University/College
1- Do the CLP
2- Not sure if they can go to the UK and do their Bar. I think can, but I’ve never heard of anyone doing so.
3- Go and work, whatever work. But you’re not a ‘lawyer’.

For Malaysian grads from Public University
1- Enter the 4th year program. This is sometimes call the Honours Year. For UiTM, the 4th year is very challenging and fun. I did not do it because I have little plans about becoming a lawyer. The 4th year at UiTM, is a simulation course. Very little lectures and tutorials. They will split you in groups, and each group will be called a Law Firm. Lecturers henceforth will treat you like lawyers and give you assignments pretending to be clients. Each class has a bout 6 firms, with 5 ppl in each firm. Almost everyday they dress like lawyers, black and white. They will of course along the way teach you how to do things. This program is super because when you graduate, you’re really prepared to do work because they train you in a very practical way. You actually do the work, and not read about how to do it.
2- Do the CLP. Which is very silly. People who have the chance to do the 4th year in Uni, but do the CLP instead, are usually those banned from the Uni, or really hate the Uni.
3- Go and work, whatever work. But you’re not a ‘lawyer’.

*Because of option 1 above, UiTM gr