Your guide to become an Judge in Malaysia

Average Salary
10,000 - 12,000

Job Demand

Who is an Judge

A Judge presides over court hearings and trials, oversees legal proceedings and upholds the rights of individuals involved in a legal process to ensure that they are conducted fairly.

Have you ever seen Law & Order and realised that the one sitting in the high chair has way more power than the ones who are talking all the time? Do you want to do more than simply follow the law, but instead also be the one to shape it? Then maybe you should work your way to becoming a Judge in Malaysia! A Judge is a highly respected career not only in the field of Law, as it ultimately encompasses many individuals’ lives and their future undertakings. Your work would not only affect the lawyers and the clients they represent, but also their respective families and other people likely involved. You get to listen to their points, ruminate carefully over them, and finally make the decisions that would perhaps change their lives forever.

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The pros and cons of being an Judge

Pros

High salary
Highly respected position as a decider instead of an advocate or solicitor
Has the opportunity to shape the law
Has a lot of independence with work

Cons

Slow job growth (may take up to 10 years to advance slightly)
Requires a large investment of time in research and court cases
Job generally involves sitting and listening for the most part

What are all the responsibilities of an Judge ?

Ensure hearings and trials are handled fairly in regards to the country’s laws
Listen to the evidence of witnesses and the arguments of lawyers
Pass sentence on people who are convicted
Make decisions on legal cases
Decide custody on disputes

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What skills do you need to become an Judge?

Knowledge of the law, criminal and civil procedure, jurisdictional rules and the court system

Evidently, a Judge would require thorough knowledge of the country’s laws as well as the procedures that take place in a trial court. The Judge also has to be comprehensively informed regarding jurisdictional rules and basically how the entire process works. This knowledge can be obtained by pursuing a degree or Masters in the field of Law, and by becoming a practising Lawyer before advancing to a Judge.

Excellent logical reasoning, analytical and decision-making skills

As a Judge, some of the most important skills are logical reasoning, analytical skills as well as decision-making. As a Judge, you should be able to draw a conclusion based on evidence and given statements instead of going with your gut or instinct. Following this, you must then analyse the evidence before arriving to a clear and sound decision.

Fair and unbiased

Most importantly, becoming a Judge would require you to be fair and unbiased in your judgement. While you should certainly keep an open mind in the court, as a Judge you must not let your emotions or feelings cloud your decisions. A good Judge is able to separate their personal opinions from what is written in the country’s law, and so oftentimes they must push them aside for the sake of the law. This may sound simple, but many are unable to do so. If you think you’re up for it, then you have a great potential to pursue a career as a Judge!

Excellent oral and written communication skills

A Judge deals with a large amount of paperwork each day, on top of presiding over the court. Thus, a lot of communication takes place, both oral and written, as you deal with various types of lawyers, clients and other court officials during your working hours. Excellent communication skills in both forms are crucial in order to pursue a career as a Judge.

What field(s) of study should you choose to become an Judge?

Juris Doctorate, also known as Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
Law
Political Science
International Relations
History

What are the requirements to be an Judge?

To become a Judge, you must obtain a degree in Law and pass all necessary bar exams or Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP). It would be an added bonus if you take part in extracurricular activities such as debate to enhance your communication skills. After your studies, you should work as a Lawyer or Attorney in a law firm. Part of the responsibilities of an Attorney is to represent clients before a court and in other legal proceedings to resolve disputes and protect their clients' interests.

What are the working hours of an Judge

Judges frequently work during court sitting hours, which is between 6 to 8 hours a day. However, more often than not, Judges are required to work late into the evening, as they carry many cases that must be concluded or dealt with before the next court hearing. Depending on the different terms throughout the year, some emergency hearings and case processings can take place during vacation times as well.

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