Touts in the corridors of justice

> Authorities caution public about offers to settle court cases for a fee

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Court has detected touting activities involving unscrupulous individuals who act as intermediaries between lawyers and the courts to settle cases for a fee.

They target public members who are naive and less knowledgeable in court matters and procedures as well as those desperate for help to settle their cases.

Court authorities have circulated a notice cautioning the public about such activities.

“The court has never appointed any agent or individual to settle cases on its behalf.

“People are advised to report promptly to the court or the police if they are offered such services,” read the notice posted at the court complex area.

A lawyer who declined to be named said these touts or runners will introduce the family members of the people charged in court to lawyers.

“They (touts) will convince the people concerned that they can settle the case for a fee by telling the lawyers that the person is their friend,” he said.

Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia’s College of Law, Government and International Studies said touting would not only bring a bad image to the courts but also to judges and magistrates.

“The public will think that touts and lawyers have a good relationship or they have conspired with the judges or magistrates and prosecutors to settle the cases. The courts will be seen as not being transparent,” he said.

Meanwhile, a deputy public prosecutor said touting on behalf of the lawyers was a clear violation of legal ethics.

She said lawyers who were involved in such activity would be liable to disciplinary action and have their Certificate of Legal Practice revoked.

The DPP also advised those who can’t afford to engage a lawyer to seek legal aid from the National Legal Aid Foundation. – Bernama