Long Call - Chua Jo Ann

LONG CALL SPEECH - CHUA JO ANN

Dengan izin Yang Arif,

Saya Goh Siu Lin, mewakili pihak Pempetisyen. Rakan-rakan bijaksana saya yang mewakili Peguam Negara Malaysia, Majlis Peguam Malaysia dan Jawatankuasa Peguam Kuala Lumpur telahpun diperkenalkan kepada Yang Arif sebelum ini. Dengan izin Yang Arif, saya memohon kebenaran Mahkamah Yang Mulia ini untuk meneruskan hujahan saya dalam Bahasa Inggeris. 

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My Lady,

The Petitioner was born in 1991 in Seremban and is the youngest of three children, born to Mr. Chua Kuang Chai and Mdm Margaret Ho Bee Leng.(Introduce parents)

The Petitioner read law under the University of London External programme, graduating with honours in October 2013. She then proceeded to the dreaded CLP which she completed in 2015. She then had the honour of doing her pupillage under the tutelage of my dear friend, Mr. Vincent Chan Siew Onn of Messrs Abdullah Chan & Co. During this time, the Petitioner was exposed to the legal intricacies of corporate transactions, closely guided by her Master who monitors her professional development. He is also uncompromising on professional ethics and emphasizes the importance inculcating inter-personal skills.  The Petitioner’s Master confirms that she has a positive attitude to work, is conscientious and dependable. Such qualities that would place her in good stead for her future career. 

On this special day, the Petitioner would like to express her love and gratitude to her parents and siblings for their unconditional love and guidance.  She acknowledges that her parents' financial sacrifice has enabled her to be the first in her family to enter the legal profession.

The Petitioner would also like to record her utmost appreciation to her master, Mr Vincent Chan Siew Onn for his guidance and invaluable advice, for which she says has been a privilege. To all the partners, associates and employees of Messrs Abdullah Chan & Co, her friends (Azrin, Li Ying, Sweet Yin, Mei Wee, Michelle Chong, Yik Yee, Jon, Cheng Wei) whose laughter, support and friendship have sustained her all these years. She is truly grateful to everyone who have made time to witness and share this joyful occasion.

The Petitioner may not realise this yet, but legal practice is very much like running a series of marathons.

In order to run a marathon, you need two overarching goals to motivate and sustain you. 

Process goals and Outcome goals.

Process goals means focus on mastering a task and increasing your skill level. Examples include following a training schedule, learning about training principles.

Whereas Outcome goals relate to the goals you hope to accomplish in the marathon. Examples include running faster, defeating a rival. 

As said by Emil Zatopek: 

“If you want to run, run a mile.
If you want to experience a different life,
run a marathon.”

However, in practice, to be at the top of your profession, skills and results alone are insufficient. 

Integrity and good character are key. 

This is well put by Matt Labrum:

“Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece - by thought, by choice, courage, and determination.” 

To this I add, good character is in some part, created in the service of others. 

I therefore encourage the Petitioner to participate or offer her services to many committees of the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee and Malaysian Bar and to become a member of the Association of Women Lawyers. 

My Lady,

I humbly submit that the Petitioner is of good character and attitude, and so, worthy of admission to the Bar. I believe the Petitioner’s papers are in order and there are not objections from my learned friends from the AG’s Chambers, Bar Council and KL Bar Committee 

I humbly pray that the Petitioner, Chua Jo Ann be admitted and enrolled as an advocate and solicitor to the High Court of Malaya.

I seek leave from this Honourable Court to invite my learned friend, Mr. Vincent Chan Siew Onn, the Petitioner’s pupil master to robe the Petitioner.