KUCHING: The local branch of Advocate Association Sarawak (AAS) is set to host the opening of the annual Legal Year on Jan 17 here.
Its chairman Desmond Sahatheven said the gathering would be attended by judiciary officers, judges and lawyers from Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the event themed ‘Justice and Beyond’ would start with a morning procession which was expected to be participated by 400 to 500 lawyers from Sabah and Sarawak.
“The procession will begin at 7.30am from the new State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building to the Kuching Court Complex. A gala dinner is scheduled for the evening of the same day,” he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia, yesterday.
He also said the procession would be followed by a court ceremony where the heads of various legal fraternities would give speeches at the court house.
“We do this every year alternating between Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
He added that representatives from foreign bars and international associations would also be present at the event.
“We will also have Chief Justice of Malaysia, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Federal Court judges, High Court judges and all judicial officers attending as well,” he said.
Desmond said the opening of the Legal Year was where members of the legal fraternities renewed their commitment to the justice system.
“And during the gala dinner, we all gather in an informal setting with lawyers and judiciary officers rather than just seeing each other in court,” he said.
On the
courtesy call on the chief minister, he said it was to invite Abang Johari to
be the guest of honour at the dinner.
“We also express our appreciation to the chief minister and the state
government for supporting our event financially and also for accepting our
invitation to the dinner,” he said.
