Programme

Welcome Address

President’s Address

Opening Address

Keynote Address

Stream: Law and Society

This session will explore the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) in sentencing in criminal cases. The focus, in part, will be on how the use of such technology affects the core notions of transparency and the right to a fair trial. The panellists will discuss measures that could be implemented to ensure the efficient and effective use of such technologies for the betterment of the criminal justice system.

Stream: Legal Profession and Professional Practice

Legal professional privilege is a cornerstone of the legal profession. However, as regulatory environments evolve, the absolute nature of this privilege is increasingly tested by the exercise of investigative powers of enforcement authorities. This session explores the shifting boundary between a client’s right to confidential legal advice and the statutory mandates of regulators.

Stream: Corporate and Commercial Law

This session addresses the position of core competition law principles in the current dynamics of legal practice and commercial relationships. These matters will be examined from the perspectives of legal practitioners and regulators, both locally and abroad.

Stream: Law and Society

As the country is said to be on course to become an ageing nation, there is a pressing need to address legislative gaps in the protection of the interests of those with diminishing mental capacity. This session explores the need for a Mental Capacity Act in this jurisdiction to address this matter and safeguard individual autonomy. The panellists will examine case law from other jurisdictions with established mental capacity frameworks and discuss relevant lessons that can be drawn from them.

Stream: Legal Profession and Professional Practice

This session examines the extent to which a specialist advocacy practice can be developed and sustained in a fused profession. The session will also explore the benefits and possible challenges in developing such specialist practices within a fused environment, with reference to experiences from other jurisdictions. The presentations will address the topic from the perspective of practitioners and persons experienced in clerking for barristers.

Stream: Corporate and Commercial Law

This session addresses the interplay between the core principle of a director’s fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the company and the global shift in emphasis towards environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) mandates. The panellists will examine if there are any tensions between the two concepts, and, if so, how best to navigate them. Other matters to be addressed include the current ESG framework in this jurisdiction and an assessment of the effectiveness of the existing regime.

Stream: Law and Society

This session brings together policymakers, legislators and scholars from Malaysia and Japan to analyse how different legal systems are rethinking capital punishment. Drawing on Malaysia’s recent reforms and wrongful convictions in Japan, the session will delve into the political, legal and institutional dynamics of moving away from the death penalty, and what these experiences mean for Malaysia’s future direction.

Stream: Legal Profession and Professional Practice

What is the position of the core principles of discovery in the ever-evolving age of AI and the management of large volumes of data? This session will consider the extent to which the traditional principles of discovery ought to be maintained or modified considering the increased reliance on advanced methods to process vast amounts of information, such as meta and hyper data systems.

Stream: Corporate and Commercial Law

Malaysia has sought to position itself as a leading arbitration hub in Asia. In addition to reflecting on the original intent behind international arbitration which was to promote international trade by providing investors with an effective and efficient means of resolving disputes through arbitration, this session will address the further steps that could be taken to realise the aim of establishing Malaysia as a preeminent seat for arbitration in the region.

Stream: Law and Society

Customary land rights are recognised as having a constitutional footing in many jurisdictions, including Malaysia. These rights are increasingly being tested in contemporary societies with widespread urban development. It is in this context that the principle of the extinguishment of customary land rights often features. This session seeks to address these matters and the position of the core principle of indigenous self-determination amid rapid infrastructural development.

Stream: Legal Profession and Professional Practice

This session examines the functions of in-house counsel in the current dynamics of the legal profession. The landscape of today’s legal practice is widely impacted by the accelerated technological advancements and evolving demands from clients and practitioners. In the face of these changes, there is a need to retain certain core principles such as professional integrity, risk management and maintaining standards in work production. The panellists will address these matters from the perspectives of litigators, corporate lawyers as well as high-ranking general counsel.

Stream: Corporate and Commercial Law

This session examines the shift in Malaysia’s legal landscape following the enactment of the Cross-Border Insolvency Act 2026, which adopts the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency. The panellists will explore how core principles of debt recovery and corporate restructuring are likely to operate in a cross-border context, the emerging tensions between universality and local creditor protection, and the practical approaches practitioners should adopt, drawing on lessons from other Model Law jurisdictions.

Stream: Law and Society

The labour market is evolving with the increasingly pervasive gig economy and the growing prevalence of remote working arrangements. This has brought into focus the position of the core principle of universal social protection in the context of the changing employer-employee relationship. This session seeks to address matters such as the Gig Workers Bill 2025, universalisation of protection through measures such as the i-Saraan Plus scheme and the implications of mandatory Social Security Organisation (“SOCSO”) contributions for gig workers.

Stream: Legal Profession and Professional Practice

Various AI tools are now embedded in multiple facets of legal practice. In many respects, these AI tools could be said to outperform the human contribution. However, many in the profession adopt the view that there are countless aspects of legal practice that can never be supplanted by technology. This session will address the now often-asked question: will lawyers be replaced?

Stream: Corporate and Commercial Law 

This session addresses the developments in regulatory approaches in view of technological advancements and the increased demand for efficient regulatory approvals in the capital market. The panellists will discuss the recent Practice Note issued by the Securities Commission allowing licensed stockbrokers to offer broking services for digital assets and the aspired shift in focus towards increasing market capital through more listings. The session will also discuss the need to maintain due diligence, investor protection and client asset protection.

Stream: Law and Society

This session addresses the core principle of equal representation and the legal challenges of malapportionment in electoral boundaries. The panellists will examine the potential redelineation exercise for Peninsular Malaysia and the considerations that arise in conducting such an exercise. The presentations will also examine the applicable law relating to the redelineation exercise.

Stream: Young Lawyers

This session features a moot court simulation to demonstrate best practices in advocacy to junior lawyers and the wider Bar. The moot problem will relate to the scope of section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the right to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

Stream: Corporate and Commercial Law 

The digital banking industry and its governance structures are in their infancy in Malaysia. This session addresses the balance to be struck between a digital bank’s obligation to adhere to traditional fiduciary duties in banking operations and providing modern AI-driven credit scoring and risk management services. The presentations will provide insights from experienced persons in the law, regulatory authorities and the digital banking sector.

Stream: Law and Society

The recent shift toward greater governmental involvement in the licensing of media platforms has brought into focus the proper role of the Executive in the regulation of the media. This session examines the competing considerations of the State’s role in media licensing and the importance of a free press as an institution that ensures accountability of public authorities.

Stream: Young Lawyers

There are presently multiple avenues of entry into the legal profession in Malaysia. This has resulted in disparities in standards among new graduates prior to the commencement of legal practice. The longstanding proposal to introduce a common bar course in Malaysia has been perceived as a central antidote to remedy the concern. This session seeks to examine whether a unified entry system has now become imperative to ensure that professional standards are maintained in the profession.

Stream: International Law

This session addresses the benefits of maintaining transnational communication and mutual cooperation between judiciaries, dispute resolution centres and law enforcement bodies in the current climate of geopolitical shifts and the increased dependence on AI. The subjects to be examined include the effective application of international rules across jurisdictions, such as international laws on child protection and human rights, as well as domestic laws on mutual assistance in criminal matters. The presentations will also examine the practice of courts and other dispute resolution centres internationally in the interpretation, implementation and harmonisation of principles and practices across different jurisdictions.

Stream: Law and Society

This session looks into the legal and ethical boundaries of ministerial power in the context of higher education in the country. The panellists will examine whether the current model facilitates or impedes the core principle of academic freedom and institutional selfgovernance, with reference to the current framework that provides for Executive involvement in higher educational matters.

Stream: Young Lawyers

Developing a sustainable legal practice can present a challenge to young lawyers today. Technological innovations have accelerated the pace of practice and contributed to the heightened demands of clients and judges. This arises in the context of a highly competitive junior Bar market. This session seeks to provide guidance to young lawyers on building successful practices while upholding the fundamental principles of a practitioner, such as integrity, diligence and fairness.

Stream: International Law

This session will consider whether the current framework of the United Nations is fit for purpose in the current dynamics of world affairs. The panellists will examine whether institutional reforms are required and, if so, the nature of such reforms to enhance the contributions of the organisation to international relations.

Stream: Law and Society

This session will examine whether the conditions in Kuala Lumpur have now warranted the reintroduction of local council elections in the city. The panellists will address the possible benefits of doing so, including improvements in democratic accountability and urban governance, as well as potential concerns relating to coordination between local and Federal governments and financial and economic implications. This session will also discuss this topic from the perspective of federalism and other core constitutional principles.

Stream: Legal Profession and Professional Practice

This session will examine the position of core principles in relation to the legal profession amid evolving landscapes in the legal system and the wider society. The panellists will address the role of Bar associations in this climate and the steps Bar associations could take to maintain institutional mandates and founding obligations. Delegates will also hear from the Government’s perspective on providing a space for Bar associations to perform their required and expected functions.

Stream: International Law

This session will address the current state of international trade and commodities, particularly in view of heightened protectionist measures and the disruptions to the supply of oil to global markets. This session will examine how these developments have affected cross-border transactional dealings and disputes, and the role of the rule of law in the context of such developments.

Stream: Law and Society

This session will discuss the measures that ought to be implemented to ensure the Lower House of Parliament serves its core constitutional function of legislative scrutiny. The speakers will explore possible institutional reforms such as, amongst others, the empowering of select committees and the incorporation of pre-legislative scrutiny procedures such as Green and White Papers to facilitate bipartisan consultation before the formal tabling of bills.

Stream: Legal Profession and Professional Practice

This session explores the expectations of judges in the contemporary age of advocacy, where judicial time is at a premium and numerous technologies are at the disposal of counsel and the Bench. The panellists will address the topic from perspectives at all levels of the courts.

Stream: Corporate and Commercial Law

Rapid changes and increased enforcement are leaving businesses constantly challenged to navigate new regulations whilst upholding core ethical and operational principles. This session will explore how organisations can navigate audits and investigations while preserving the principles of transparency, accountability and integrity. The presentations will be delivered from the perspective of regulators and senior figures in the law.

Stream: Law and Society

This session will address the position of core administrative law principles in the move toward greater automation in government decision-making. A shift towards automated systems may test central public law principles, particularly the rules related to the delegation of authority and the principles against the fettering of discretion and mechanical decision-making by public authorities.

Stream: Legal Profession and Professional Practice

Recent developments in mediation-related laws have heightened the significance of mediation in the region. With the current increased case load in the courts, a system that introduces the mandatory mediation of disputes could well be seen to be an attractive form of dispute resolution. This session will address the position of mediation in the legal profession today, with a particular focus on the need to preserve the core principle of party autonomy in the dispute resolution process.

Stream: International Law

This session explores how the shifting geopolitical alliances today challenge the core principles of international legal norms, including multilateralism and sovereign equality. The panellists will address how recent trade and foreign policies of countries have resulted in the formation of new alliances between nations and the role of international institutions in the context of such shifting geopolitical relations. The presentations will, in particular, examine the state of the traditional rules-based order in the light of contemporary global politics.