(delivering the Judgement of the Court): This was an appeal by the Malaysian Bar against the decision of the High Court at Kuala Lumpur in allowing the petition of Encik Mutang Tagal for admission and enrolment as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court Malaya. The main issue that arose for determination was whether his period of pupillage in the State of Sarawak was valid for the purpose of complying with the requirement of section 13(1) Legal Profession Act, 1976 having regard to the definition of "advocate and solicitor" in section 3 of the said Act. We had allowed the appeal and made no order as to costs. We now give our reasons.

In June 1980, Encik Mutang Tagal, a Malaysian citizen, passed the final examination for the degree of Bachelor of Laws held by the University of Malaya. He then attended and served a 12-month period of pupillage from February 23, 1981 to February 23, 1982 in the office of Mr. Peter Chin Fah Kui of Messrs Wan Ullok Jugah Chin & Co. at Miri, Sarawak. On February 24, 1982, he filed a petition in the High Court Borneo at Kuching for admission as an advocate under the Advocates Ordinance of Sarawak (Cap. 110) and on April 28, 1982 his pe