Legal Counsel, Prosecution Unit, Legal

The Legal Counsel Prosecuting Officer is a position under the Prosecution Unit of the Legal Department responsible for supporting the Bank's enforcement efforts to ensure the Bank is able to achieve its statutory objectives. This role is integral to the Bank's operations, assisting Senior Legal Counsels/Deputy Public Prosecutors in evidence evaluation, conducting criminal prosecutions, representing the Bank in various court applications, while at the same time providing specialised legal advice on criminal matters. The position demands a diverse skill set, including innovative case-strategy abilities, meticulous preparation of legal/court documentation, robust legal research and writing skills, and proficient litigation capabilities. It is an ideal opportunity for legal professionals with a background in criminal prosecution or civil litigation, seeking to enhance both their technical and non-technical legal skills.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES (Key responsibilities and tasks that the role performs)
1. Evaluate evidentiary sufficiency for prosecution by reviewing investigation papers and identifying gaps, to ensure only well-supported cases are recommended for enforcement action and prosecution by the Attorney General’s Chambers.
2. Support effective criminal prosecutions by assisting in trials, appeals, revisions and other criminal applications, including drafting accurate and timely cause papers, to secure favourable outcomes and reinforce compliance with laws administered by the Bank.
3. Conduct civil enforcement actions as preventive actions by representing the bank in civil suits against parties engaging in unlicensed or illegal businesses / activities, to restrain non-compliance early and protect financial consumers and the financial system
4. Assist Deputy Public Prosecutors in court by coordinating case preparations, managing witnesses and ensuring completeness of documentary records, to facilitate seamless presentation of cases and uphold due process.
5. Provide sound legal advice and opinions on criminal, procedural and evidentiary matters, to support informed enforcement decisions and mitigate legal risks to the Bank.
6. Enhance seamless enforcement coordination by collaborating closely with investigation officers, the Attorney General’s Chambers to ensure consistency, accuracy and efficiency in prosecution processes.
7. Contribute to continuous improvement in prosecution / enforcement practices by refining templates, documentation standards and knowledge-sharing materials, to strengthen the Bank’s institutional enforcement capability and consistency.

NATURE OF ACCOUNTABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES
 

Job Complexity & Problem Solving
This role is primarily operational and involves structured legal work requiring strong analytical and critical thinking skills to assess evidence, evaluate case readiness, and apply criminal and procedural laws accurately. It demands the ability to synthesise multiple information sources from investigations, witness 
statements and legal precedents to determine enforcement viability and identify evidentiary gaps.While strategic decisions are escalated to Senior Legal Counsels and Deputy Public Prosecutors, the role requires sound judgment in navigating legal ambiguity, attention to detail in drafting legal opinions,submissions, and adaptability in responding to evolving case developments. Effective critical thinking and problem-solving would also support credible outcomes and ensures effective enforcement actions.
 

Leadership & Stakeholder Management
The role does not carry supervisory duties but requires professional influence and constructive engagement with key internal and external stakeholders to support smooth prosecution and enforcement processes. This includes collaborating with investigation and supervisory departments, the Attorney General’s Chambers, as well as coordinating with other enforcement agencies and the courts.The Legal Counsel is expected to represent the Bank professionally in court, maintain credibility in stakeholder interactions, and ensure information and documentation flow effectively to support effective enforcement actions. Strong communication and relationship management skills are essential for building trust, aligning legal positions, and contributing to the Bank’s role as a fair, transparent and effective regulator.
 

QUALIFICATIONS 
• Academic Qualifications: 
LL.B (Hons) (being called to Malaysian Bar would be an added advantage).
• Experience: 
Minimum 3 years working experience in criminal prosecution and/or defence. Any working experience as Prosecutor and/or experience in civil litigation would be an added advantage.

TECHNICAL SKILLS/ KNOWLEDGE
• Proficient in Bahasa Malaysia and English; both written and spoken.
• Competent knowledge of the Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act 1950 (knowledge in the Rules of Court 2012 and laws administered by BNM is an added advantage).
• Accustomed with courtroom decorum and etiquette (good advocacy skills is an added advantage).
• Robust Legal Research and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) skills.
• Experienced in providing and drafting legal opinions; with emphasis on the scope of criminal and evidentiary law as well as legal risk management (knowledge on Central Bank Core Business is an added advantage).
• Good critical and analytical thinking skills as well as presentation and communication skills.
 

PREVALENT & EMERGING SKILLS
1. Criminal Prosecution & Enforcement Work 
• Prevalent: Applying criminal and procedural law, evaluating evidentiary sufficiency, and preparing accurate cause papers to support prosecution and court proceedings under laws administered by the Bank. 

• Emerging: Strengthening enforcement strategies and leveraging strategic use of legal tools to deter 
emerging forms of financial misconduct.
 

2. Courtroom Practice & Advocacy
• Prevalent: Demonstrating proper courtroom etiquette, oral submissions and case handling to support smooth prosecution proceedings and uphold the Bank’s credibility in court.
• Emerging: Advancing advocacy capabilities for specialised and more complex cases involving digital evidence and sophisticated financial schemes.
3. Legal Research, Analysis & Technology Use
• Prevalent: Conducting legal research, analysing case precedent and evidentiary principles to formulate strategic legal positions aligned with enforcement objectives.
• Emerging: Leveraging digital research databases, e-evidence tools and structured analysis systems to enhance prosecution efficiency and insight-driven legal decision-making.
4. Evidence Handling 
• Prevalent: Managing documentary evidence and ensuring chain of custody compliance.
• Emerging: Familiarity with digital evidence, e-payment fraud trails, and cybersecurity-related offences affecting financial integrity.
5. Stakeholder & Case Management
• Prevalent: Communicating clearly with investigators, enforcement agencies and court officers on case requirements.
• Emerging: Using structured case management strategies and cross-departmental workflows to improve enforcement efficiency.