QC files appeal notice against High Court decision dismissing bid to represent Najib

UK Queen’s Counsel (QC) Jonathan Laidlaw has filed a notice of appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to disallow his application to represent Najib Razak in his final appeal against his conviction of misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds.

The notice of appeal was filed at the Federal Court on Aug 22 through his solicitors, Messrs Shafee & Co.

In the notice, Laidlaw appealed against the decision made on July 21 by judge Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid, who rejected the lawyer’s application without costs.

The appeal was made pursuant to provisions under Section 19 of the Legal Professions Act 1976.

Lawyer Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee, when contacted, confirmed the matter.
 
On July 21, Kamal said Laidlaw had failed to prove that he had special qualifications or experience in conducting criminal trials and appeals such as the charges against Najib, which involve Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, Section 409 of the Penal Code and Section 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

On May 31, Najib filed an application to allow Laidlaw to represent him in the SRC International appeal on several grounds, saying among others that the QC possessed special qualifications, experience and expertise not available among the advocates and solicitors in Malaysia. 

In the notice, Laidlaw sought to be admitted and registered to practise in the High Court in Peninsular Malaysia, to act as Najib’s lead counsel in the SRC International appeal at the Federal Court and all other causes or matters related to the appeal.

On Tuesday, the apex court upheld the 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine on Najib for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds.