Services — Three Engagement Types
Three Levels of Engagement, One Area of Practice
From the first private consultation through to a fully contested sessions court trial, Pravum's three engagement types are designed to provide the right level of representation at each stage of a criminal matter in Malaysia.
Return to HomepageProcess — Our Methodology
How Pravum Structures Each Engagement
All three engagement types share the same underlying methodology: understand the matter fully before advising on it, set clear terms before beginning the work, and keep the client informed throughout. What varies is the scope and depth of preparation required.
The initial consultation is the entry point for any new matter. It is designed to give the client an honest picture of their situation — what the charge or investigation means procedurally, what the range of likely outcomes is, and what the practical steps are for the coming days. It does not commit either party to further engagement.
Where the matter proceeds to court — at magistrate or sessions level — the engagement letter sets out the specific scope: what hearings are covered, what preparation is included, what disbursements are separate, and at what point the matter will be reassessed. The client is not left to wonder where the boundaries of the engagement lie.
Standards Applied Across All Engagements
Privilege from the first conversation
Legal professional privilege attaches immediately when a client engages with counsel.
Written engagement letter before work begins
Scope, fee, and review points confirmed in writing before any chargeable work proceeds.
Client updates after each significant step
What happened and what comes next, communicated promptly after each court date.
Conflict of interest check before every file
Conducted before accepting the engagement, with results disclosed to the client.
Malaysian Bar compliance throughout
All work conducted under the Legal Profession Act 1976 and applicable Rules of Conduct.
Docket — 01
First-Hour Criminal Matter Consultation
A private initial conversation for individuals who have been notified of an investigation, received a summons, or are otherwise dealing with the early stages of a criminal matter in Malaysia. The session focuses on understanding what has happened, what the client has been told so far, and what their pressing concerns are.
Clear procedural information is provided alongside a candid assessment of the road ahead. The client leaves with a written summary, a list of practical steps for the coming days, and contact details for the team. This consultation does not commit the client to further engagement.
- One-hour private session with a qualified advocate
- Written summary and action list provided after the session
- Assessment of the matter's procedural context
- No obligation to proceed with any further engagement
- Covered by legal professional privilege from the start
Engagement Fee
RM 700
Docket — 02
Magistrate Court Representation Engagement
Representation for clients facing matters at the magistrate court level, covering offences within that court's jurisdiction. The engagement begins with detailed case review, including all documents the client has received and relevant background information.
Where appropriate, the team prepares written representations to the prosecution, attends all mention dates, and conducts trial or plea-bargain proceedings as the matter requires. Throughout, communication is regular: the client is told what is happening, why it is happening, and what the next likely step looks like.
- Full review of charge documents and client background
- Written representations to the DPP where applicable
- All mention dates attended by counsel
- Trial or plea proceedings conducted as required
- Client briefed after every significant court event
Engagement Fee
RM 1,800
Docket — 03
Comprehensive Defence & Sessions Court Representation
A fuller engagement for matters proceeding to the sessions court, including more serious charges where the procedural and evidentiary considerations are heavier. The work covers full case preparation: review of investigation papers, witness analysis, formulation of the defence theory, preparation of submissions, and conduct of the trial.
The team coordinates with experienced senior counsel where the matter benefits from that, and prepares the client carefully for any testimony they may give. Sentencing mitigation is treated with the same care as the substantive defence. Engagement letters set out clear scope, fee structure, and the points at which the matter would be re-evaluated.
- Full review of investigation papers and prosecution materials
- Witness analysis and defence theory formulation
- Written submissions prepared and filed
- Senior counsel coordination where appropriate
- Sentencing mitigation included and prepared separately
Engagement Fee
RM 2,200
Overview — Choose the Right Engagement
Which Engagement Is Right for Your Situation?
The decision depends primarily on where your matter currently stands and what level of court is involved. The table below provides a factual comparison to help you identify the appropriate starting point.
| Feature / Situation | Consultation RM 700 |
Magistrate RM 1,800 |
Sessions Court RM 2,200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| You have just received a summons | ✓ | — | — |
| Charged at magistrate court level | — | ✓ | — |
| Charged at sessions court level | — | — | ✓ |
| Written action summary included | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Court attendance by counsel | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investigation papers reviewed in full | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Senior counsel coordination | — | — | ✓ |
| Sentencing mitigation prepared | — | Varies | ✓ |
Not sure which engagement applies to your situation? The initial consultation is the appropriate first step in any case.
Process — Standards Applied
Professional Standards Shared Across All Engagements
Legal Professional Privilege
All communications are protected from the first contact. Pravum does not disclose client information without express authority.
Malaysian Bar Compliance
All advocates are members in good standing of the Malaysian Bar. Work is conducted under the Legal Profession Act 1976 and the applicable Rules of Conduct.
Written Engagement Letters
No engagement proceeds without a written letter confirming scope, fee structure, disbursements, and review points. Everything is documented before work begins.
PDPA 2010 Compliance
Personal data provided by clients is held and processed under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Malaysia). Data is used only for the engagement for which it was collected.
Conflict of Interest Protocol
A conflict check is conducted before every new file is opened. Where a conflict exists, it is disclosed and the client is assisted in finding alternative representation.
Consistent Client Communication
Clients are kept informed at every stage. After each court date and significant development, a clear update is provided covering what happened and what comes next.
Schedule — Published Fees
Engagement Fees (MYR)
Docket — 01
Consultation
RM 700
Per session
- One private hour with qualified advocate
- Written summary and action list
- No commitment to proceed
- Privilege from first contact
Docket — 02
Magistrate Court
RM 1,800
Per engagement
- Full case file review
- Written representations to DPP
- All mention dates attended
- Trial or plea conducted
Docket — 03
Sessions Court
RM 2,200
Per engagement
- Investigation papers reviewed in full
- Defence theory developed
- Trial conducted with submissions
- Mitigation included
- Senior counsel coordinated where needed
All fees are exclusive of disbursements (filing fees, transcripts, etc.), which are itemised separately in the engagement letter.
Counsel — Next Step
Not Sure Where to Start?
The initial consultation is the right first step for anyone who has received a summons, been asked to present themselves to police, or is unsure what their situation means legally. From there, the appropriate engagement level will be clear.
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