KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur High Court has rejected an application by British Queen’s Counsel Jonathan Laidlaw to be admitted to the Bar on Thursday (Jul 21).
The dismissal effectively dashed former prime minister Najib Razak’s attempt to bring in Mr Laidlaw to represent him in his final appeal against the conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving funds from SRC International, the former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The appeal is scheduled to be heard in the Federal Court for 10 days from Aug 15.
In his brief decision, Judge Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid said there were no novel, complex and serious issues in the appeal that would require the Queen Counsel’s participation.
“This does not justify the need to have the applicant (Laidlaw) to be admitted on an adhoc basis for the (SRC) appeal before the Federal Court,” the Star quoted Judge Ahmad Kamal as saying during a Zoom proceedings.
The judge said that while it is undeniable that Mr Laidlaw is deemed a “star silk” in financial crimes, this alone does not mean the latter possesses special skills, expertise, qualifications and knowledge on the application of criminal laws in Malaysia which are relevant to Najib’s appeal.
“I agree with the honourable attorney general, the learned deputy public prosecutor, the Malaysian Bar and the KL Bar Committee that the appeal is one that can quite competently be handled by local advocates and solicitors,” he was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.
Queen’s Counsels are colloquially known as silks as they wear silk gowns.