VK Lingam can’t return to practice, court rules

KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam (pic) has failed in his bid to return to legal practice.

This follows the dismissal of his appeal to set aside the decision of the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board (DB) that he be struck off the Rolls of Advocates and Solicitors of the High Court of Malaya.

High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) judge Justice Kamaludin Md Said dismissed Lingam’s appeal with RM5,000 in costs.

Justice Kamaludin’s decision was read out in chambers by High Court deputy registrar Norazlin Othman on Tuesday.

Bar Council lawyer Fahri Azzat told this to reporters after meeting Norazlin.

Lingam has been barred from practising law since November 2015due to a controversy surrounding a video clip.

Justice Kamaludin, who is now a Court of Appeal judge, said Lingam filed an appeal against the DB's verdict on Nov 6, 2015 which upheld the decision by the Disciplinary Committee (DC) on Feb 20, 2014.

He said the DC found Lingam had committed a disciplinary offence by meddling or disturbing and influencing in the appointment of Tun Ahmad Fairuz as chief judge of Malaya and confirmation as Court of Appeal president.

Justice Kamaludin said after considering the appeal by Lingam, records and submissions, the court was satisfied that the appeal could not be considered and the decision by the DB on Nov 6, 2015 should be upheld.

In his originating motion, Lingam wanted the court to set aside the DB's decision that affirmed the finding of liability made by the DC which determined that he had conspired with various parties to interfere with or influence judicial appointments.

He had also sought a court order to set aside the findings of the DC and overturn its recommendations that he be suspended from practice as an advocate and solicitor for a year and be fined RM20,000.

Lingam asked the court to set aside the DB's decision of Nov 6, 2015 dismissing his objection in writing on the right to be heard.

He named the Bar Council as the sole respondent.