{
  "id": 10090566,
  "title": "Bar Council proposes reforms to cut delays in criminal trials",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/bar-council-proposes-reforms-to-cut-delays-in-criminal-trials-10090566",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T23:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/27/bar-council-proposes-reforms-to-cut-delays-in-criminal-trials"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh has expressed worry about the extended periods accused individuals spend in custody while awaiting trial. The Bar Council’s criminal law committee chairman, Vivek Sukumaran, has proposed several reforms to address these delays. Key recommendations include ensuring that crucial investigations, like forensic reports, are finalized before charges are filed. This change aims to curb the delays caused by incomplete investigations. Vivek also suggests prioritizing cases where suspects are in custody, tightening controls on delays, and instituting regular judicial reviews to assess whether continued detention is warranted. He further emphasized that bail should be determined based on an accused’s financial situation, as many individuals remain in remand for minor offenses due to their inability to secure bail or a surety. According to Vivek, no one should be held for over two years without a verdict unless a judge deems compelling reasons exist. The current statutory limit allows a case to remain open for up to 12 months from its registration, but there is no law mandating the release of an accused if their trial hasn’t commenced within a reasonable timeframe. This situation can result in accused individuals languishing in custody for years post-charging. Comparing Malaysia to legal systems in England and Wales, and Scotland, Vivek pointed out that jurisdictions with specific time limits for criminal proceedings in custody have seen improvements. These countries grant extensions only in exceptional cases and require justifications for such delays. Vivek suggested adopting a similar approach in Malaysia, allowing judicial discretion to grant bail in situations where it is currently prohibited, such as under certain acts. Lawyer S Vinesh supported Vivek’s proposals, advocating for prosecutors to complete essential investigative tasks within three months of charging a suspect. Vinesh also stressed the need for clearer guidelines and judicial oversight to manage delays effectively. He pointed out that delays can have profound impacts beyond just losing freedom, affecting livelihoods and familial stability. If acquitted after years of detention, how can the years lost be compensated?",
  "summary": "Its criminal law committee chairman says he shares the chief justice’s concern about accused persons being kept in remand for long periods pending trial.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Bar Council proposes reforms to cut delays in criminal trials",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/bar-council-proposes-reforms-to-cut-delays-in-criminal-trials",
        "published": "2026-09-26T23:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}