ARTICLES

The Legal Profession (Publicity) Rules 2025 mark an important development in how lawyers and law firms in Malaysia may present themselves to the public. These Rules come into operation on 1 January 2026 and provide long-awaited clarity on what forms of publicity are permissible within the legal profession. 

Under the new Rules, lawyers are expressly permitted to publicise their practice through both printed and electronic media, whether paid or unpaid. This includes websites, online platforms, publications, seminars, conferences, forums, and other forms of public engagement, as well as contact with prospective clients initiated by or on behalf of the lawyer or law firm. The Rules also allow lawyers to state areas of practice and claim specialisation, provided such claims are justifiable, although lawyers remain prohibited from describing themselves as “experts.” 

In practice, many lawyers have already been engaging in public-facing activities such as legal writing, online commentary, professional profiles, and educational talks long before these Rules were formally introduced. In that sense, the Legal Profession (Publicity) Rules 2025 do not radically change the profession’s behaviour; rather, they formalise and regulate conduct that has become increasingly common, translating existing practice into a clearer legal framework. 

The introduction of these Rules reflects a recognition of modern realities. In an era where information and professional services are increasingly accessed through digital platforms, it has become necessary to re-examine how the legal profession engages with the public. Responsible participation in media and public discourse enables lawyers to contribute to public legal education and communicate their services transparently, within ethical limits. 

At the same time, the Rules draw firm boundaries. Publicity must not be misleading, deceptive, false, or unverifiable, must not create unjustified expectations of success, and must not compromise client confidentiality or professional integrity. Ultimately, the Rules reinforce that any form of publicity must be conducted in a manner that upholds the trust and confidence placed by clients and the public in both the lawyer and the legal profession as a whole. 

Prepared by, 

Noraini Roslie

30.12.2025