{
  "id": 14410941,
  "title": "Court stays order over RM1.55mil fee agreement between law firm, 203 investors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/court-stays-order-over-rm1-55mil-fee-agreement-between-law-firm-203",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T08:51:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/14/court-stays-order-over-rm1-55mil-fee-agreement-between-law-firm-203-investors"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has temporarily halted a decision to overturn a RM1.55 million fee agreement between a law firm and 203 investors, pending the outcome of the firm's appeal to the Court of Appeal. The agreement, signed on January 16, 2024, was deemed unfair and contained unreasonable terms by the court. The law firm, Jerald Gomez & Associates, represented in the matter by Michelle Wong, sought a stay as its appeal raised concerns regarding the validity and enforceability of the engagement's terms. The investors, represented by Jared Tee, did not object to the stay application. The firm argued that the terms had been disclosed and discussed prior to signing, and the investors approved all 18 bills without objection. It also claimed that the tax assessment of the bills, including those already paid, could render the appeal futile. The firm had already paid RM1,245,825 towards the bills and expressed difficulty in recovering a refund from over 200 claimants if the appeal were successful. A stay was deemed necessary to avoid unnecessary costs and difficulties before the appeal decision. Judicial Commissioner Nixon Kennedy Kumbong had previously ruled that the agreement was not fairly obtained and contained unreasonable terms.",
  "summary": "Law firm says its appeal before the Court of Appeal raises substantial legal questions about the validity and enforceability of the terms of engagement signed in 2024.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Court stays order over RM1.55mil fee agreement between law firm, 203 investors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/court-stays-order-over-rm1-55mil-fee-agreement-between-law-firm-203-14416547",
        "published": "2026-10-14T08:51:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}