In memory of a legal luminary

ON 2 August 2024, my father, Harpal Singh Grewal, passed away. In one of the most poignant traditions of the Malaysian Bar, a special proceeding known as a “Reference” is held before the High Court to honour members of the Bar who have departed. It is a solemn yet dignified occasion where the judiciary, fellow lawyers, and family members come together to remember, reflect upon, and celebrate the lives and contributions of those who have left us.

On 23 May 2025, my family and I had the honour of moving the Reference in his memory at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. It was a moment filled with pride and poignancy as I stood before the Court to deliver a tribute to the man who not only shaped Malaysian jurisprudence but also shaped my life. I share here the speech I delivered that day—not merely to recount his achievements, but to celebrate the values he stood for: courage, compassion, and integrity. It is my humble hope that his story will continue to inspire those who follow the path of law and service.

Delivered by Ivanpal Singh Grewal on May 23, 2025, at the Kuala Lumpur High Court

If it pleases the Court,

Good morning, My Lords – Justice Amarjeet Singh and Justice Anand Ponnudurai, learned friends of the Bar, family, and cherished guests. Today, we gather in this hallowed court to honour a man who was not only a titan of the legal profession but also a beacon of integrity, courage, and love—my father, Dato’ Harpal Singh Grewal. It is both a solemn occasion and a moment to celebrate his extraordinary life, his storied career at the Bar, and the indelible mark he left on all of us. Standing here, I am joined by my mother, Datin Harwinder Kaur, and my sisters, Jesrina Kaur Grewal and Karina Kaur Grewal, my wife Natasha Lee and my brothers in law, Shailender Bhar and Terence Conrad. Together as a family, we move this reference in memory of a man who moved the calls to the Bar of his 3 children and whose legacy continues to guide us.

Harpal Singh Grewal was born on October 9, 1950, in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, to Surjan Singh and Sojan Kaur and grew up alongside his siblings—Gurcharan, Paritam, Herpal, and Ranjit—in a home where discipline and purpose were the cornerstones of life. From these modest beginnings, my father worked tirelessly to carve a path of success, not just for himself but to ensure that his family—my mother, my sisters, and I—could live a comfortable life. His journey was a testament to the values of hard work and resilience, mirroring the aspirations of a young nation finding its footing.

His pursuit of knowledge led him to the National University of Singapore, where he read law, financed not by privilege but by a loan from the Seremban Sikh Temple—a debt he repaid in full, reflecting his lifelong commitment to honour and integrity. After chambering in Kuantan and practising at Ariffin & Ooi, he co-founded Messrs. A.J. Ariffin, Yeo & Harpal in 1981, a bold move that defied convention. Under his leadership, the firm became an important feature of Malaysian legal practice, known not only for its clientele but for its unwavering ethical standards and principled advocacy.

My father’s legal career was a tapestry of brilliance, woven with landmark cases that shaped Malaysian jurisprudence. In Lai Siew Wah Sdn Bhd v Ng Chin [1988], he persuaded the Supreme Court that allegations of fraud could override arbitration clauses, setting a lasting precedent in arbitration law. In Goh Keat Poh & Ors v Farlim Properties Sdn Bhd [2009], his advocacy at the Court of Appeal reinforced the doctrines of res judicata and stare decisis, strengthening the foundations of property law. The case of Jagdis Singh Banta Singh v Outlet Rank (M) Sdn Bhd [2013] holds special resonance for many lawyers here. Facing a technical objection over an unsigned notice of appeal, my father convinced the Court of Appeal to prioritise merits over procedure, a victory that has shielded countless practitioners from the tyranny of technicalities. More recently, in Balbeer Singh a/l Karam Singh & Ors v Sentul Raya Sdn Bhd [2022], he secured a pivotal ruling on damages assessment and application of evidentiary rules, reaffirming principles of fairness in commercial litigation. Each case was a masterclass in technical excellence, driven by a vision of justice that transcended the courtroom.

Yet, my father’s impact extended beyond his victories. He was a mentor whose wisdom shaped generations of lawyers. One of his enduring contributions was the creation of a WhatsApp group for Sikh lawyers—a vibrant community where knowledge is shared freely, and advice is dispensed with the same quick wit that defined his courtroom presence. This group remains a living testament to his commitment to legal scholarship and camaraderie, and is ably administered by my cousin, who is also a lawyer, Avinder Singh Gill.

Today, I want to extend a special note of gratitude to Justice Anand Ponnudurai, who has travelled from Penang to join us. My father held Justice Anand in high regard, a bond deepened by his close friendship with Justice Anand’s late father, the eminent Mr. R. Ponnudurai. In his long career, my father acted as counsel for many lawyers and also instructed a few to act as counsel for him. But there is a poignant distinction worth sharing: he had the rare privilege of instructing both Mr. R. Ponnudurai and Justice Anand as counsel before His Lordship’s elevation to the bench. I still recall, very soon after Justice’s elevation to the High Court in December 2019, my father and I appeared before him in Kuala Lumpur High Court NCC1 – my father told me he was proud to address him as My Lord. This connection is a beautiful story of mutual respect and shared dedication to the law that I know my father cherished deeply.

Since taking over the reins of our family firm alongside my mother, Harwinder, I have been humbled by the stories shared by lawyers who knew my father. The common thread in these anecdotes is his wit, his quick thinking, and his infectious sense of humour—qualities that, I am told, my sisters and I have inherited in varying degrees. Whether it was a sharp quip in court or a light-hearted jab during a family dinner, his humour was a gift that brought people together. Those fiery curry-fuelled debates at home, where laughter mingled with legal discourse, are memories we will always treasure.

My father’s courage was as legendary as his wit. During the political turmoil of 1998, he fearlessly attested affidavits affirmed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, a decision that cost him his commissioner for oaths licence. Undeterred, he stood firm in his convictions. Years later, he represented Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the early days of his legal travails and even appeared on CNN – embodying his belief that a lawyer’s duty is to represent without fear or favour, no matter the controversy. He often said, “Integrity demands courage,” and he lived those words in every facet of his life.

Beyond the courtroom, my father’s compassion defined him. After his passing on August 2, 2024, we learned of countless acts of quiet generosity—scholarships funded, homes purchased for staff, cars gifted discreetly. He never sought recognition for these deeds, preferring they remain unspoken. At home, he was the heart of our family, a devoted husband to my mother, a proud father who moved the calls to the bar of my mother, Jesrina, Karina and I and a devoted grandfather to Anaayah, Shayaan, Arshaan, Riaan, Alania, Aaliyah, and Aryaan. The title of “Dato’,” bestowed in 2009, paled in comparison to the joy he found in being “Papaji,” a role that lit up his eyes and filled his heart.

Many have asked me about my father’s legacy. He raised us—Jesrina, Karina, and me—to be our own persons, to value our individuality while striving to be useful members of society. He taught us that life, much like law, is not a perfect journey. You win some, you lose some, but the measure of a life lies in its value, its integrity, and, above all, its love. I am immensely proud that our father lived life to the fullest, as many of you here can attest. He did so with a moral compass that never wavered, leaving behind a legacy that inspires us to be better, to do better, and to love better.

Helen Keller reminds us that “what we have once enjoyed we can never lose; all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” I do not feel that I have lost my father, for he is woven into the very fabric of who we are. His life, rooted in humble beginnings, unfolded into an extraordinary journey that shaped Malaysian jurisprudence, yet he never lost the warmth and humility that endeared him to everyone he met. Approachable, kind, and unmistakably human, he carried his success with quiet grace, proving that greatness and gentleness can reside in the same heart. The overwhelming outpouring of love at his passing was not mere condolences; they were resounding affirmations that his spirit lives on in each life he touched—a lasting testament to a life deeply loved and, therefore, never truly gone.

As we move this reference, my family is profoundly grateful for your presence, your solace, and the strength you have given us during this time of loss. Your support is a reminder of the community my father cherished and served. To the judiciary, the Bar, and all who knew him, thank you for honouring his memory today.

Harpal was more than a lawyer; he was a mentor, a father, a grandfather, a husband, a brother, an uncle and a friend. His shadow casts warmth and light, guiding us forward with the values he held dear. May we honour him by living with the same courage, integrity, and love that defined his remarkable life.