Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why should I trust NKPT with my case / transaction?

We understand that choosing the right law firm to represent you is a big decision. Moreover, cost is likely an important consideration for you.

Our Partners have a combined experience of 130 years in the legal industry. Many of our lawyers cut their teeth in large / prominent law firms in the country before joining NKPT. You can be rest assured that your case / transaction will be handled with competence and confidence without a hole being burnt in your pocket given that we operate far more cost-effectively than large firms who offer the same services.

Your case / transaction will be given personal attention by our Partners, who are ably assisted by our Legal Associates. This includes timely updates on the progress of your case / transaction, so that you have peace of mind.

What kind of cases does NKPT handle?

At NKPT, our Partners have expertise in a wide area of practice, including civil and criminal litigation, corporate advisory, employment and industrial relation law, intellectual property law, land related matters such as landlord and tenancy disputes, private wealth & trust law, tax and revenue law, as well as wills, probate & administration matters.

Please see ‘Our Areas of Practice’ for a more complete description.

How long has NKPT been in business?

NKPT was founded in 1971 (known as Kuok & Puthucheary at that time). We have been in the legal industry for over 50 years.

Please see ‘Our History’ for more information.

I have a problem and want to speak to a lawyer. Do you charge for initial consultation?

No, we do not charge for initial consultation. This normally includes the first time we speak to you to understand your problem and to identify the legal issues involved. A face-to-face meeting at our office or virtual meeting can be arranged for such a consultation.

Please do not hesitate to contact any one of our Partners via ‘Our Partners’ to request for a free consultation.

Do I need to be physically present at your office to avail of your services?

While it is preferable that we meet you in person at our office / other locations, this is not always a necessity. We are able to provide our services virtually even if you reside overseas or for some reason, are not able to attend at our office. Our firm is equipped with the necessary virtual technology to facilitate online discussions, document management and communications so that the lack of physical presence does not stand as an impediment.

However, there may be exceptions. For example, where a document may be required by law executed / attested in person. Where this is so, we would advise you on the options best available for your circumstances.

What are your business hours?

Our business hours are 9:00 am to 5.30 pm from Mondays to Fridays (not including Public Holidays). You are also welcome to call our office or drop your enquiry via email. However, if you have an urgent matter, please do not hesitate to contact one of our Partners.

Please see ‘Contact Us’ for contact details.

I am scheduled to come to your office for a consultation. What should I bring with me?

Please bring along your identification card (NRIC) or passport for identification purposes as well as soft or hard copies of any documents, emails and photographs that relate to your legal issue (if available). It would also be helpful if you could provide a chronology of events pertaining to your legal problem.

Your documents would help us gain a better and quicker understanding of your issue in order for us to be able to identify the relevant legal issues.

How much fees do I have to pay for my case / transaction?

We understand that the legal fee is one of the major concerns to our clients. However, the legal fee would depend on the complexity of the case, and we would need to analyse that on our end before we are able to quote any fee to you. Note however, the legal cost for some transactions are fixed by law, e.g., property sale.

However, you can be assured that we will quote you a reasonable fee. You would be informed upfront of all the potential legal costs that you may incur before we commence work. We will not charge you any fees without your knowledge and consent.

Why do some firms charge less for similar services?

For contentious matters, the amount of legal fees charged usually depends on the complexity of the case handled, the seniority of the lawyer handling the matter as well as the legal strategy selected by you. Fees may be lower in firms where your case is primarily handled by a junior lawyer who may have less experience. Or it might be a case where less time is allocated to your file.

For non-contentious matters where fees are fixed by law, discounts are prohibited.

Remember that the most expensive lawyer is usually the cheapest one. Therefore be very careful in putting your case in the hands of the cheapest lawyer but who may not necessarily possess the knowledge and experience to handle your case competently, which could ultimately result in more legal costs to remedy mistakes or delays.

Who will work on my case?

Your case will be placed under one of our Partners according to their area of expertise. Our Partners are assisted by our team of capable Legal Associates. You will always have access to our Partners to discuss your case.

How long will it take to resolve my legal problem?

Every legal case is unique. The time taken to resolve your legal problem may depend on the complexity of your case, the resistance posed by the counterparty as well as court schedules.

However, you can be rest assured that we will do everything in our power to ensure a speedy conclusion to your matter. We are committed to do this by meeting all our deadlines on time and avoiding unnecessary litigation which could delay the resolution.

We would also alert you if there is a window of opportunity to settle the matter with the counterparty, that may result in a quick and amicable resolution to your legal problem.

If I have a legal problem, do I have to file a lawsuit in court?

Not necessarily. Some legal problems are resolved out of court. We are committed to helping you find that settlement and where such opportunities arise, we will advise you accordingly. To this end, you will be consulted on the options available to you and it is entirely your decision whether you want to settle the matter out of court or otherwise.

However, if no settlement is possible with the counterparty, you may need to litigate in court. You can be assured that you will be represented by our experienced lawyers who will stand with you, counsel you, guide you and prepare you for what to expect in court.

You will not be alone.

Can I talk to a lawyer about an issue even if I don’t live in Malaysia?
E.g. I am currently living in Australia but I have a legal problem in Malaysia.

Yes, you can approach any of our Partners about your legal issue even if you don’t live in Malaysia. Such consultations can be conducted virtually. Note however that our lawyers, being practitioners in Malaysia, are legally permitted to advise on Malaysian law. Nevertheless, where your legal issues overlap to involve laws of another country, our lawyers can and do connect with lawyers in that country to obtain legal input which is then relayed to you.

Does it matter that my legal problem occurred in a state that is different from where your firm is located?
E.g. I have a legal problem in Pahang but your firm is located in Kuala Lumpur.

No, for the most part it does not matter. Our firm is located in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor. We are permitted to practice anywhere in Peninsular Malaysia. However, we cannot practice in the state of Sabah and Sarawak. In such situations, we would be happy to work with a law firm licensed in those states, on your behalf.

GDPR

  • PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION NOTICE

PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION NOTICE

NADZARIN KUOK PUTHUCHEARY & TAN
ADVOCATES & SOLICITORS
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION NOTICE

(pursuant to section 7 of Personal Data Protection Act 2010)

Nadzarin Kuok Puthucheary & Tan, Advocates & Solicitors (“NKPT”) is committed to protect your personal data and takes into consideration your rights in regards to collection, use and storage of your personal data. We treat the protection of your personal data as a high priority matter.

1.             COLLECTION OF PERSONAL DATA

NKPT collects and processes your Personal Data (including Sensitive Personal Data) and other information (collectively, “Personal Data”) in order to provide you our legal services (collectively, “the Services”).

We may collect your personal data directly from you when you liaise with us regarding our services (via website/electronic mail/telephone conversation/walk-in meetings) and/or during the course of business or transactions with you.

Your personal data may have otherwise been provided to NKPT by an authorized third party such as your spouse, a company in which you are a director, an officer or a shareholder, or a partnership in which you are a partner for Services that these third parties have sought from NKPT or have provided to NKPT. In this context, the term “you” or “your” in this Privacy Notice extends to any individual whose personal data has been provided to NKPT and/or has been collected when you enter into any commercial transactions with NKPT.

The personal data that we collect and process may include the following:-

  • Name, company name and job title
  • Contact information including addresses, phone numbers and email addresses;
  • History and details of legal suits/proceedings/claims/actions whether past, pending or current or contingent;
  • Personal/financial information such as EA forms, date of birth, age, identity card number, monthly income, payments, income tax reference and branch and financial history; and
  • Other information relevant to the Services.

In addition, we may also collect your sensitive personal data when you engage/appoint us for the Services which require the same. Sensitive personal data refers to data relating to your physical and mental health, political opinions, and religious persuasions. If we need to collect or process your sensitive personal data, we will obtain your explicit consent.

Please note that at times we may collect personal data of non-clients from you (e.g. your spouse or guarantor) when you engage/appoint us for the Services. If you provide us with such personal data, please obtain their consent for us to process their personal data prior to providing us with their personal data.

 

2.             PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA

The personal data will be processed by us and/or our authorised agents for the following purposes:-

a.         to verify your identity;
b.         to communicate with you;
c.         to provide the Services to you;
d.         respond to your inquiries;
e.         for our day to day operation and administrative purposes including file management, billing and collection, audit, reporting,                         investigation etc;
f.          fulfillment of any regulatory / legal requirements / applicable laws;
g.         fulfillment of any advisory engagements and/or appointments entered into by you with NKPT;
h.         such other incidental  purposes as as may be necessary for the fulfilment of our engagement by you.

Please note that it is necessary for NKPT to process your personal data for the above purposes. If you wish to withdraw your consent for the processing of the above purposes, we will not be able to provide you with our services.

 

3.         DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL DATA

Please also be informed that in any situation and if required while exercising the purposes specified above NKPT may disclose your personal data to the following parties:-

  1. any person/s directed by or consented to by you;
  2. any person/s required for the purposes of our legal engagement and/or legal transaction including but not limited to parties to suits, other advisors, financial institution, regulatory bodies etc;
  3. any person/s for the purposes of complying with legal and regulatory requirements;
  4. external data processors (any person/s who we may engage to process personal date on our behalf including data entry service provided, storage service provided, computer backup services, banks, financial institutions etc; and
  5. our professional advisors including tax advisors, auditors, financial management advisors, insurance brokers, legal advisors.

In certain situations, we may need to transfer your personal data to locations outside Malaysia for processing or storage in order to provide you with our services and/or any other services requested by you or to fulfil your terms of engagement with NKPT.

 

4.         RETENTION OF PERSONAL DATA

We will only retain your personal data for as long as we need to provide you with our services, to fulfil legal and regulatory requirements, and to fulfil NKPT’s internal requirements. If we no longer need your personal data for the stated reasons, we will destroy or permanently delete your personal data.

 

5.         DATA PROTECTION

We are committed to ensuring that your personal data is secured. In order to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure your personal data that we collect from you and/or from any other sources.

 

6.         ACCESS / CORRECT / UPDATE PERSONAL DATA

We take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal data we collect from you is accurate, complete, not misleading and up-to-date. Please contact us if there are any changes to your personal data or if you believe that the personal data we have about you is inaccurate, incomplete or not up-to-date.

Under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, you have the right to access your personal data. If you wish to request access to your personal data, please contact us via the contact details below. Depending on the information you request, we may charge a prescribed fee for your access request. We may take necessary actions to validate your identity to ensure that we are releasing data to the correct person.

 

7.         DISCLAIMER

The information you provide will dictate the accuracy and completeness of your personal data. We assume that the information that is provided by you is accurate, current and complete unless you inform us otherwise.

 

8.         CONFLICT

In the event there is any conflict between the English version and Bahasa Melayu version, the English version shall prevail.

 

9.         CONSENT

We trust that you are agreeable and consent to the continued usage and processing of your personal data for the purposes set out above. If you do not consent to the usage and processing of your personal data, please notify us in writing within 14 days of receipt of this Notice, failing which we shall assume that you have no objection to the same.

 

10.        CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY NOTICE

We may amend this privacy notice on a periodical basis. Any material changes to this privacy notice will be announced on the website or via direct notification. Please refer to this Privacy Notice from time to time to stay informed on how your information is being processed and protected by NKPT.

 

*This Privacy Notice is last updated on: June 2014

 

11.        CONTACT DETAILS

For any inquires with regard to this Privacy Notice, requests or update of your personal data you may at any time hereafter contact the following:

Kuala Lumpur Office:
Pn Sunita Kaur or Pn. Mages at 603 6207 8986 or via email to nkptkl@nkpt.com.my

Johor Baru Office:
Puan Mimi (Litigation Dept) or Puan Mages (Conveyancing Dept) at 607-334 9288 or via email to nkptjb@nkpt.com.my or kuokputhucheary@gmail.com

Penang Office:
Ms Catherine Tan or Ms Paula Ng at 604 2278 995 or via email to nkptpg@nkpt.com.my by providing your full name and identification number for verification.

 

Thank you