SRC appeal: High Court judge says no to UK Queen's Counsel Laidlaw

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here today rejected an application for UK Queen's Counsel Jonathan James Laidlaw to represent former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his final appeal against his conviction of misappropriating RM42 million belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid ruled that Laidlaw has failed to show that he has special qualifications and experience to handle the charges against Najib, namely Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, Section 409 of the Penal Code and Section 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001.

"It is my view that the mere fact that Laidlaw had conducted several cases involving business crimes and financial services, criminal defence, criminal regulatory, inquest and public inquiries, private prosecution, sports law and professional discipline in the UK, as well as in other jurisdiction (except for Malaysia), could not be said to mean that there are no local advocates available in Malaysia who do not possess the same skills and success in conducting trials in respect of charges under AMLATFPUAA, MACC Act 2009 and Penal Code.

"I find that there is no single evidence to suggest that Laidlaw has much experience than the local advocates and solicitors in Malaysia. I am of the considered view that the local advocates are well capable of handling such cases at all tiers of the court in Malaysia.

"This does not justify the need to have Laidlaw be admitted on an ad hoc basis as the lead counsel for the appeal before the Federal Court," said the judge in the online proceedings.

The judge further said that the application should be dismissed as there are no complex and novel issues that require the (interim) admission of Laidlaw.

"The applicant (Laidlaw) has failed to satisfy the requirement under Section 18(1) of the LPA (Legal Profession Act 1976) that for the SRC appeal and other related causes, he has special qualification or experience of a nature that is not available among advocates and solicitors in Malaysia.

"I agree with submissions by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), the Malaysian Bar and the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee that the appeal can quite competently be handled by local advocates and solicitors," he said.

The judge also stressed that Laidlaw had not shown that local advocates and solicitors lack the ability or special qualifications to conduct the said appeals.

"It is undeniable that Laidlaw is deemed as the 'star skill in financial crimes' but to me, that alone does not suffice as possessing special skills, expertise, qualifications and knowledge on the application of the MACC Act 2009 and AMLATFPUAA 2001, Penal Code and our sui generis Federal Constitution in our country which is relevant to the appeals before the Apex Court next month," he said.

On May 31, Najib filed the application to allow the QC to represent him in the SRC appeal on several grounds, one of it being Laidlaw possesses special qualifications, experience and expertise which are not available among lawyers in Malaysia.

On April 29, the Federal Court set 10 days in August to hear Najib's appeal against his conviction and jail sentence for misappropriation of the company's funds.

-- BERNAMA