‘Doubts on integrity’: Supreme Court judge on Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice

The High Court has rejected the widow of former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit seeking the return of RM200,000 in legal fees paid prior to his death. Justice Alice Loke stated that plaintiff Khoo Gee Tat's claim was not "obviously unsustainable" and should proceed to a full hearing on its merits.

Khoo hired Sri Ram in 2022 to represent his son Adrian Khoo in a criminal appeal. A pro forma invoice from Sri Ram's firm indicated the legal fees were RM349,800, and Gee Tat made four installments totaling RM200,000. Sri Ram passed away on January 29, 2023, before the appeal concluded, which the appellate court did on December 5 of that year.

Gee Tat later sought a refund, contending that the agreed-upon legal services were not fully rendered. He filed the lawsuit against Sri Ram's widow, Chandra Sri Ram, as the executor and trustee of the late judge's estate. Chandra argued that Gee Tat was not Sri Ram's client and therefore lacked legal standing to sue. However, Justice Loke rejected this and held that Gee Tat had engaged Sri Ram directly, paid the retainer, received the invoice, and maintained communication.

She also dismissed claims that the suit was frivolous, vexatious, or barred by the res judicata principle, as the dispute over refundability involved significant legal and factual issues.