Malaysian Bar Council Issues Updated Publicity Rules 2025 for Lawyers

On 18-12-2025, the Federal Government of Malaysia notified the Legal Profession (Publicity) Rules 2025, a regulatory framework governing publicity by legal practitioners in Malaysia.

These Rules will come into force 1-1-2026.

Key Highlights of Legal Profession (Publicity) Rules:

1. Legal Profession (Publicity) Rules 2025 are formulated by the Bar Council with the approval of the Attorney General under the powers conferred under Legal Profession Act 1976.

2. These Rules apply broadly to:

   • Advocates and solicitors.

   • Foreign Lawyers

   • Malaysian Law Firms,

   • International Partnerships

   • Qualified foreign law firms.

3. The scope and understanding of term “Publicise” is defined under Rule 3 as an act of making known to the public through any medium, including:

   • Printed or electronic forms.

   • Paid or unpaid exposure in public media.

   • Appearances at seminars, conferences, or forums.

   • Contact with prospective clients initiated by or on behalf of the person.

4. Under Rule 4, it is stated that any person publicising the legal practice is expected to do it in a dignified way and standing of the legal profession. The practitioners must:

   • Act with integrity.

   • Act in the best interest of each client.

   • Maintain public trust and confidence in the profession.

5. Rule 5 states that the Lawyers should not publicise in a way that is misleading, false, offensive, or unlawful. Publicity is improper if it:

   • Misrepresents facts,

   • Omits material details,

   • Includes unverifiable information, or

   • Creates unjustified expectations.

6. Lawyers can claim specialisation but not as “experts.” The claims made by them should be justified by qualifications, experience, time spent, and success level.

7. The Bar Council can issue guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency.

8. Publicity outside Malaysia is allowed to legal professionals under Rule 8, if it:

   • Complies with local laws and

   • Doesn’t harm Malaysia’s legal profession.

9. Publicity that is widely circulated in Malaysia will remain subject to the Rules to maintain professional integrity.

10. Rule 9 makes lawyers responsible for ensuring compliance with publicity rules, including third-party actions, and requires prompt correction of any improprieties.

11. The Bar Council can order modification or withdrawal of non-compliant publicity.

12. The Rules were formulated by the Bar Council replacing the previous Legal Profession (Publicity) Rules 2001¹.