Pupillage Standards

Commencement of Pupillage only upon conferment of Degree

Dear Members,

We would like to refer to Section 4(1) (ca) of the Sarawak Advocates Ordinance (Cap.110) worded as follows:

"4. (1) No person shall be admitted as an advocates unless-

(ca) he has been conferred any of the degrees specified in the Schedule"

For completion, the Schedule list the following Degress:

Bachelor of Laws from the University of Malaya
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Advanced Diploma in Law from the Institut Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the Institut Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from University Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from International Islamic University, Malaysia 
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the National University of Singapore
Degree of Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from University Utara Malaysia
Degree of Bachelor of Laws (Honours) form Multimedia University
Degree of Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from University Sultan Zainal Abidin

The operative word in Section 4(1)(ca) is "has been conferred". In this respect, it is the Association's view that a person must have been conferred with the degree before the person is qualified to commence pupillage.

We have been receiving queries whether a person can commence pupillage based on Letter of Result or Letter of Confirmation issued by the respective University that the person had completed his or her studies. It is the view of the Association that completion of studies and have been conferred with the degree are two separates matters.

The previous decision to allow pupils to commence pupillage after completion of studies and before getting the conferment of degree for the reason that the delay in conferment of degree was due to COVID-19 and this is to be revoked as at 30th September 2022.

In the premises, the Association will not accept any Letter of Result or Confirmation or any other form issued by the respective University as a basic for the person to commence pupilage. This decision will not apply retrospectively in that if you had commenced pupillage before conferment of degree prior to 1st October 2022 and had served the Notice of Pupillage on the Advocates Association of Sarawak (Central Committee) and the Branch Secretary of the Advocates Association of Sarawak, you will not be affected by the current policy decision.

The notification is effective 1st October 2022.


Thank you + Best regards,
Honorary Secretary
The Advocates Association of Sarawak