From the Bar Stool

25/10/2024

Answer then Explain | From the Bar Stool

Yesterday, while waiting for our appeal to be called up, we witnessed a hearing for an application for an extension of time to file a record of appeal. There were four lawyers appearing for the applicant and three appearing for the respondent. All of them appeared young and inexperienced.

18/10/2024

Why are some senior lawyers so nasty? | From the Bar StoolWhy are some senior lawyers so nasty? | From the Bar Stool

This question tends to arise when I listen to interns, pupils or young lawyers. Often, I am confronted with complaints about how poorly they are treated in their firms. The frequency and widespreadness of this complaint is disturbing.

18/10/2024

Why are some senior lawyers so nasty? | From the Bar Stool
https://fromthebarstool.life/2024/10/18/why-are-some-senior-lawyers-so-nasty/

11/10/2024

Case Law is not Always Necessary | From the Bar Stool

As litigators, we build our legal arguments on authoritative case law or legal maxims.

09/10/2024

I am delighted to announce that my book, From the Bar Stool, is now available for purchase from my girlfriend, Kinokuniya Bookstore (call her Kino) in the law section. I have personally verified this fact and attach a picture of me holding my book in the premises as proof because I know lawyers may read this and will instinctively want assurance that my assertion is evidentially supported. This is a satisfying personal accomplishment because Kinokuniya has been my favourite Malaysian bookstore since 1998.

30/09/2024

I am pleased to announce that From the Bar Stool has transitioned into print! Gerakbudaya has kindly published a collection of essays of my choosing about my early (and not so early) days in practice. The essays on my blog were edited and revised, and these published ones now stand as the authorised versions. I am especially pleased with this publication because I see it as a creative work within the context of law instead of a legal publication.

Thank you to Shanmuga Kanesalingam for writing the Foreword, Nicholas Choong for contributing the cover and an essay, my editor, Natalie Chan, for her patience and guidance through the process, and Pak Chong for agreeing to publish me. Thank you to those who encouraged me to write and to get around to publishing my work. I am grateful for all the wonderful support and encouragement these last four years.

It is expected to be available at bookstores and the FTBS online store soon. A book launch is on the cards when it hits the book stores, so watch this space.

In the meantime, the book is available for purchase at GerakBudaya's website, which I have linked below. Have a good week ahead!

https://www.gerakbudaya.com/product/from-the-bar-stool

27/09/2024

Why appoint a Senior Lawyer? | From the Bar Stool

I try to remember as much of my early experience as a lawyer—what I did, what I thought, how I felt—as possible. I am confident of finding some thing entertaining or edifying when I reflect on it. There are other reasons, too. It keeps me close to my humble beginnings. It enables me to empathise

20/09/2024

A Tang of Qi Wen | From the Bar Stool

One of the big reasons I write week in and week out, aside from erecting weekly creative challenges for myself to overcome, is because it creates opportunities for serendipity through the people I am blessed to meet.

30/08/2024

The Toilet Paper Audit | From the Bar Stool

In my second year of university, I shared a narrow five-bedroom house with four others at High Kingsdown, Bristol. It had a council housing vibe going.

23/08/2024

Behavioural Science Insights and Legal Practice | From the Bar Stool

As a litigator, I have to advocate. To advocate well, I have to be persuasive, and to be persuasive, I need to understand how people think when they make a decision. That led me to explore how we make a good decision and what gets in the way, resulting in a poor decision.

16/08/2024

The Weight of a Criminal Lawyer’s Work | From the Bar Stool

The weight of a criminal lawyer's work is immense.

09/08/2024

Seeing What Happens | From the Bar Stool

The truth is nobody knows what is going to happen.