Elaine Daly

Elaine needs no introduction. Having just finished her pupillage and called to the Bar, she is ‘caught’ between continuing in the profession or returning to the entertainment industry. Over expensive coffee and ice-lemon tea on a lazy Sunday afternoon, the former Miss Malaysia met Richard Wee to speak about her experiences during pupillage.

Legal aid – it is a good idea that the Bar implements compulsory 14 hours for pupils to take part in legal aid activities. It fits well with me as I am always up for challenges, and I feel legal aid was a novel challenge for me. The prisons programme grabbed me, as I enjoyed working with the legal aid system to assist some of the prisoners.

I had a case where I had to visit the Court interpreter many times to set a date for a matter where the person charged was in prison for a long time. It felt good that I could make a difference in my own way. I will definitely take up at least a case or two once I am called to the Bar. I understand that there are Bar resolutions urging lawyers to take up legal aid matters. The Bar Council must enforce those resolutions. It is important lawyers help the community as the essence of being a lawyer is not just about making money.

I think lawyers should allocate 2 to 3 hours a week to carry out legal aid work. There’s nothing compared to making a difference in people’s lives. Even at the firm I was chambering in, they did some pro bono work for the Orang Asli. Maybe I am going a little too far, but perhaps Bar Council can seek to amend the LPA that before lawyers renew their Practising Certificates, a minimum number of legal aid hours must be clocked in.

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