The North Johore Bar Sub-Committee had a dialogue with the judicial officers of North Johore Courts on 21st July, 2024.
Prior to the dialogue session, a forum on court matters was held virtually on 27th May, 2024 for feedback from members on court issues faced in North Johore. The Sub-Committee had taken note of the feedback from members practicing in Segamat, Kluang, Batu Pahat and Muar. All feedback was brought to attention at the dialogue.
The dialogue was chaired by Yang Arif Datuk Meor Hashimi Bin Abdul Hamid, High Court Judge and also attended by YA Tuan Suria Kumar A/L Durairaj Johnson Paul, the Muar High Court Judicial Commissioner and other judicial officers of the North Johore Courts as follows:-
- Tuan Irwan Bin Suainbon – Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen Muar
- Tuan Abu Bakar Bin Manat – Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen Muar
- Tuan Mujib Bin Saroji – Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen Kluang
- Puan Rahimah Binti Abd Majid – Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen Segamat
- Puan Roslinda Binti Razali – Timbalan Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Muar
- Puan Nur Farain Syuhada binti Abu – Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Muar
- Puan Elizabeth Low – Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Muar
- Puan Nurasidah Binti A. Rahman– Majistret Mahkamah Batu Pahat
- Puan Fatin Dalilah Binti Khalid – Majistret Mahkamah Muar
- Puan Lee Kim Keat – Majistret Mahkamah Tangkak
- Puan Nurfarah Syahidah binti Mohd Noh – Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Mahkamah Rendah Muar
- Puan Nor’iza binti Mohamed – Penolong Pendaftar Mahkamah Rendah Muar
A summary of the discussion and resolution at the dialogue is as follows:-
- General administration matters
- Batu Pahat lawyers are permitted to use the staffs’ toilet at 1st floor as the toilets located at ground floor are now being used by public and OKTs.
- Lift located at the right wing of the Muar Court Complex will be opened for use when the centre lift is not in operation.
B. Issues in respect of conduct of proceedings
- E-reviews – the court was informed of instances of very late responses from the court sometimes up to 2 weeks. This will be attended to so that responses are given on the same day and promptly. Members are also requested to log in early on the prescribed date for their e-review.
2. Update of hearing/CM dates – the Court was informed of instances where dates are not updated in the system as the e-reviews are not ended and locked by the Court.
3. Extraction of documents – Time for extraction of documents are too long in a few courts, this was highlighted and the relevant officers had assured that extraction of documents to be within the bench mark time of 4 days.
4. YBGK cases (remand & charge) to have staggered schedules.
5. Muar High Court
Different approaches of the two (2) courts in respect of presumption of death are brought to the attention of the learned Judge and Judicial Commissioner for their deliberations.
6. Issues raised by Court
- Court had reminded again that proper intitulement be used in cause papers.
2. Court informed that members attending late for e-review, not responding to e-review and not addressing the issues for the e-review. Members are reminded to avoid this and to attend to e-reviews promptly.
3. To ensure that the email and contact number are updated in efs system as lawyers cannot be contacted by Court.
4. To ensure that dress code and court etiquette are strictly adhered to :-
eg : counsel wearing robe in the court when the judge is on the bench
eg : counsel’s handphone rings in the midst of trial
5. Dialogue to be hold on a 6 months basis.
Members are advised to take note of the above. The Committee also welcomes feedback from members on the above matters.
The Forum on Court matters and the dialogue session with Judicial Officers helps to resolve common concerns of the Bar and the Bench in a productive and constructive manner. Members are requested to continue to provide support for such forum.
Thank you.
HELEN FONG
CHAIRPERSON
NORTH JOHORE SUB COMMITTEE