The Inaugural Criminal Law Symposium 2025, organised by the Criminal Law, Human Rights & Civil Law Committee of the Negeri Sembilan Bar, was successfully held on the 21st of August 2025 at Royal Sungai Ujong Club House. The event was well-attended, with a total of more than 130 participants, comprising members of the Bar and invited guests.
The Committee wishes to place on record its heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Karthigesan Shanmugam, Chairman of the Negeri Sembilan Bar, for his support and encouragement towards the success of this event and to have officiate the event with a vibrant speech of the role of criminal law and criminal advocates.
The symposium featured three distinguished speakers who shared their expertise on various pressing areas of criminal law:
• Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Muhammad Shafee Abdullah – Defending High-Profile Economic Offences: Strategic and Ethical Considerations
• Tuan Athimulan Muruthiah – Dissecting The Expert – Strategic Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses in Criminal Trials
• Tuan Salim Bashir Bhaskaran– The Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 – Balancing Child Protection Against Fair Trial Rights.
The sessions were engaging and insightful, providing participants with both theoretical perspectives and practical strategies in criminal advocacy. The lively exchange of ideas during the Q&A segments further enriched the discussions, making the symposium a truly valuable platform for learning and professional development.
Special thanks are also extended to the committee members and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the programme.
We are grateful to our sponsor, Mr. Christie from Asia Knowledge Law Books and all the participants for their enthusiastic attendance, which contributed greatly to the success of the symposium. The Committee looks forward to organising more programmes of this nature in the future, aimed at fostering continuous learning, professional growth, and the upholding of justice within our legal community.
Shangeetha Moorthy
Criminal Law, Human Rights & Civil Law Committee
Negeri Sembilan Bar
