PUTRAJAYA has now granted exemptions for lawyers to be physically present in court for fresh charges, remand order applications and miscellaneous criminal applications, said minister Takiyuddin Hassan.

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Parliament) said in a statement today that lawyers representing their clients in these cases can obtain a permission letter from the nearby police station to appear in court.

He said the National Security Council had approved this after a special meeting held yesterday.

The government also agreed that law firms involved with corporate legal services and conveyancing for 17 service sectors need to apply for permission to operate according to the company’s services.

“Law firms representing related companies or factories or businesses need to apply for permission to operate from the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) through the Covid-19 Intelligent Management System 3.0 portal.”

The minister also reminded lawyers to comply with the standard operating procedure for legal services during the movement-control order implemented from June 1 to 14.

Earlier, Putrajaya announced the legal service is not listed under the essential services category in these two weeks.

The Palace of Justice had also said that all criminal case hearings in court will be adjourned.

For civil cases, hearings shall be conducted online based on the Chief Justice’s Practice Direction No. 1 of 2021 Handling Civil Cases Through Remote Communication Technology for Courts Across Malaysia (AA KHN 1/2021). – June 1, 2021.