Getting legal help

Key points

The Legal Aid Department (JBG) gives free legal aid if your annual financial resources are RM50,000 or less after deductions. Above that, a contribution may apply.
YBGK gives free criminal help at the police station, remand and charge stages to all Malaysians.
Check a lawyer on the Malaysian Bar Legal Directory before hiring them.
Conveyancing fees follow the Solicitors' Remuneration Order 2023 scale, in force since 15 July 2023.
Complaints about lawyers go to the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board.

Free and low-cost help at a glance

Provider	What they help with	Who qualifies
Legal Aid Department (Jabatan Bantuan Guaman, JBG), a government department under the Prime Minister's Department	Advice, representation in many civil, family, Syariah and criminal matters, and mediation	Those who pass the means test
Bar Council Legal Aid Centres, run by lawyers in each state	Free advice clinics and representation in many matters	People who cannot afford a lawyer (the centres apply their own criteria)
National Legal Aid Foundation (Yayasan Bantuan Guaman Kebangsaan, YBGK)	Criminal matters: at the police station, at remand and when charged	All Malaysians at those early stages, regardless of income. A means test applies for later stages

Legal Aid Department (JBG)

The JBG operates under the Legal Aid Act 1971 and its regulations. It offers legal advice, legal aid (representation), mediation (pengantaraan) and a legal companion service.

Means test (ujian kemampuan): legal aid is given free of charge to people whose annual financial resources are RM50,000 or less, after certain deductions. Applicants with higher resources may be asked to pay a contribution under the Legal Aid (Fees and Contributions) Regulations.
JBG has an online means-test calculator and branches in every state. Bring your identity card, proof of income and documents about your case.
JBG handles both civil and Syariah matters, with separate contact lines.

YBGK and the Bar's legal aid centres

YBGK began operating in 2012. It pays lawyers to give free help to people who are arrested, appear at remand hearings or are charged in court. If someone in your family has been arrested, contact the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre in your state, which coordinates YBGK lawyers. The legal aid centres also run free legal advice clinics on many civil and family matters.

Choosing a lawyer

In Peninsular Malaysia, lawyers are advocates and solicitors (peguam bela dan peguam cara) admitted to the High Court. To practise, they must hold a current practising certificate (Sijil Annual). Sabah and Sarawak have their own admission and professional bodies (the Sabah Law Society and the Advocates Association of Sarawak).
Check before you hire: use the Malaysian Bar's online Legal Directory to confirm that the lawyer and firm are listed, and check the Bar's public notices of people practising without a practising certificate.
Ask about experience in your type of case, the likely steps, timelines and costs. Ask for the fee arrangement in writing.
Never pay large sums in cash without an official receipt. Money held for you should go into the firm's client account.

Syariah matters: peguam syarie

In the Syariah courts you are represented by a Syarie lawyer (peguam syarie), admitted under each state's Syariah law (usually through the state Islamic religious council). An ordinary advocate and solicitor cannot appear in the Syariah courts unless also admitted as a peguam syarie. See Syariah courts.

What lawyers may charge

Property work (conveyancing) is charged on a scale set by the Solicitors' Remuneration Order 2023, in force since 15 July 2023. For example, for a sale and purchase or transfer, the fee is 1.25% on the first RM500,000 (minimum RM500), with lower rates on higher amounts. For some scale items, a discount of up to 25% is allowed. Lower scales apply to purchases from developers under the Housing Development Act.
Court work and advice are usually charged by agreement (for example a fixed fee or hourly rates). Ask for an estimate and a written fee agreement.
You can ask for a bill showing how fees and disbursements (such as stamp duty and filing fees) were worked out. If you dispute a bill, you can ask for it to be assessed ("taxed") by the court.

Complaints about a lawyer

Complaints about the conduct of an advocate and solicitor in Peninsular Malaysia go to the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board (Lembaga Tatatertib Peguam Bela dan Peguam Cara), set up under the Legal Profession Act 1976. Disciplinary orders can range from a reprimand or fine to suspension or being struck off. Where a lawyer has dishonestly taken a client's money, the Bar's Compensation Fund may help. Complaints about Syarie lawyers go to the relevant state body.

Other free help

Tribunals (consumer, homebuyer, strata) and the Small Claims procedure are designed so that you can act without a lawyer. See Tribunals and Small claims.
The Labour Department and the Industrial Relations Department handle employment claims without charge: see Employment.
University law clinics and NGOs may give free advice on specific issues.

Laws cited on this page

Act 26	Legal Aid Act 1971 · Akta Bantuan Guaman 1971	Official text
Act 166	Legal Profession Act 1976 · Akta Profesion Undang-Undang 1976	Official text

Listed automatically from the federal Acts named on this page. All laws of Malaysia →

This page explains the general position in Malaysia (last reviewed October 2026). It is not legal advice — check the current law and get advice on your own facts.

Sources

Courts and their powers Syariah courts Tribunals and alternatives to court Small claims (RM5,000 and below)The criminal process: from police report to verdict Your rights when arrested