Yet Ngo Foo

A senior member of the Malaysian Bar, Foo brings more than 40 years of experience to the firm.

A prominent figure in the Malaysian family law scene, Foo has represented many at all levels, and has advised even more. From humble individuals to billionaires, locals to foreigners, as well as local and foreign governments, her varied and diverse clientele is a testament of her extensive experience. Foo is also often called upon by foreign embassies in Malaysia to advise on local developments in family law and be counsel to represent their nationals.

Amongst her causes celebre was the high-profile case of the Australian, Jacqueline Gillespie v Raja Bahrin Shah, the Prince of Terengganu and the Prince’s dramatic removal of his two children from Melbourne to Malaysia by boat in 1992, triggering a political fallout between the Malaysian and Australian governments at the time; as well as the much-publicised cross jurisdictional dispute of ex Miss Malaysia, Pauline Chai Siew Phin v Khoo Kay Peng, a Malaysian tycoon, fought in both Malaysia and the UK.

Foo has also appeared in Court as amicus curiae for the Malaysian Bar in seminal cases in the field of family law such as Chai Siew Yin v Leong Wee Shing [2004] 1 CLJ 752 where the Federal Court finally laid to rest the controversy over customary marriages and its exclusion from validity under the Law Reform (Marriage & Divorce) Act 1976, and the case of Tan Siew Sen & Others v Nick Abu Dusuki Hj Abu Hassan & Anor [2016] 6 CLJ 18 where the Court of Appeal held the term “wife” in the Civil Law Act 1956 for a loss of dependency claim is subject to the provisions for compulsory registration for marriages under the Law Reform (Marriage & Divorce) Act 1976 and hence excludes a wife under a customary marriage. Foo was Counsel in Sean O’Casey Patterson v Chan Hoong Poh & Ors [2011] 3 CLJ 722 which decided once and for all that the Guardianship of Infants Act 1961 applies to illegitimate children.

Adding to her career badges, Foo:-

- was the First Malaysian invited to be a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, a prestigious worldwide association of practising lawyers, recognized by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective jurisdictions;

- was a member of the protem committee setup by the Attorney General’s Chamber to look into necessary amendments to the Law Reform (Marriage & Divorce) Act 1976;

- is among the first members of the Malaysian Collaborative Practice Group, established under the auspices of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP);

- is an active member of the Family Law Committee of the Malaysian Bar Council; and

- was a Past President of the Malaysian Association of Women Lawyers.