Zaki Tun Azmi CJ:

Questions

[1] In light of the urgency of the matter, we gave our decision earlier. Here now are our reasons.

[3] The two questions posed before us were drafted as follows:-

(i) Whether an advocate and solicitor from Peninsular Malaysia is entitled to appear as counsel in an appeal to be heard in Putrajaya arising from a matter originating from the High Court in Sarawak and Sabah at Kuching?

(ii) Whether an advocate from Sarawak is entitled to appear as counsel in an appeal to be heard (by the Court of Appeal) in Putrajaya arising from a matter originating from the High Court in Sarawak and Sabah at Kuching?

(Words in parenthesis were added)

[4] The answers to the above questions would determine whether there exist any exclusive rights of the advocates and solicitors of Sabah and Sarawak to appear in Peninsular Malaysia and vice versa.

Facts Leading To The Questions

[5] Both appeals that came before us were not regarding the re