According to de facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan, the government agreed to grant exemptions to lawyers for these purposes, and permission can be obtained from the nearest police station.

“Lawyers are requested to refer to the SOPs for legal services during the period of the movement control order on MKN’s communications platform,” he said in a statement today.

In addition, he said, firms involved in corporate legal services and conveyancing for any of the 17 industries allowed to continue operations during the lockdown may apply to continue their services through the international trade and industry ministry’s Covid-19 Intelligent Management System 3.0.

“All parties need to follow the instructions issued by the government during this Phase 1 (of the) movement control order so that the objective of flattening the Covid-19 infection curve can be achieved,” he said.

Yesterday, the Malaysian Bar Council criticised the government’s move to exclude law firms from the list of essential services, which meant they could not operate physically during the first phase of the total lockdown at least.

“This invariably raises questions and concerns such as accessibility to law firm premises and files, complying with procedural deadlines as well as directions, since certain court matters would be conducted by virtue of the directives (by the Federal Court),” council secretary Shahareen Begum said in a circular to members.