The Legal Aid Department (JBG) helps people whose annual financial resources are RM50,000 or less after deductions, in civil and Syariah matters. The Malaysian Bar runs Legal Aid Centres, and the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) helps at the police station and remand stage. Always check that a lawyer holds a current practising certificate on the Bar's Legal Directory.
MyLegal2u gives general information only. Members of the public who need a document prepared or reviewed are referred to a practising lawyer.
What to do first
- Use the Legal Aid Department's online means-test calculator.
- Find a lawyer on the Malaysian Bar Legal Directory.
- For Syariah matters, ask the Legal Aid Department or a peguam syarie registered with the state Syariah court.
- Ask us a general question — Ask a question.
Which court or agency?
| Problem | Where to go | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Legal aid (civil and Syariah) | Legal Aid Department (JBG) | Legal Aid Act 1971 |
| Criminal help at arrest and remand | YBGK | — |
| Complaints about lawyers | Advocates & Solicitors Disciplinary Board | Legal Profession Act 1976 |
Read the guides
Getting legal helpAsk a question or make a requestQuestions & answersOfficial resources directoryGlossary of legal termsLegal Profession Act 1976
Tools
Key laws — read the copy
| Act 26 | Legal Aid Act 1971 Akta Bantuan Guaman 1971 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 878 | Legal Aid and Public Defence Act 2026 Akta Bantuan Guaman dan Pembelaan Awam 2026 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 166 | Legal Profession Act 1976 Akta Profesion Undang-Undang 1976 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
Each law opens our mirror page: a copy of the official text with its capture date and version history, plus the official link.
Official links and forms
- Legal Aid Department (JBG) ↗
- JBG means-test calculator ↗
- Malaysian Bar Legal Directory ↗
- Malaysian Bar Legal Aid Centres ↗
Questions people ask
How can I check if someone is really a lawyer?
Only a person on the Roll with a current practising certificate may act as an advocate and solicitor (s 36). The Malaysian Bar's website has a search for lawyers with current practising certificates. Pretending to be a lawyer is an offence under s 37(1)(b).
Can a non-lawyer prepare my sale and purchase agreement or tenancy agreement?
Not for a fee. Under s 37(2)(a), preparing documents relating to immovable property for or in expectation of a fee, gain or reward is an offence for an unauthorised person, unless an exception in s 38 applies. You may prepare documents for your own matters yourself (s 38(1)(d)).
Can someone who is not a lawyer write my will?
Section 37 does not cover wills: s 38(2) excludes wills and other testamentary documents from "document" and "instrument". Will-writing companies therefore operate outside s 37. Make sure the will is properly signed and witnessed under the Wills Act 1959 (or follows the rules on wasiat if you are Muslim).
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