Yusmizul Hafifey Bin Yusof ( Sebagai Wakil Kepada Si Mati Jamilah Binti Jaafar ) 1. ) MUHAMAD AIDI BIN MAT SHAFEI 2. ) SHUHADA ESAH BINTI YUSUF 3. ) AXA AFFIN GENERAL INSURANCE BERHAD

Yusmizul Hafifey Bin Yusof ( Sebagai Wakil Kepada Si Mati Jamilah Binti Jaafar ) 1. ) MUHAMAD AIDI BIN MAT SHAFEI 2. ) SHUHADA ESAH BINTI YUSUF 3. ) AXA AFFIN GENERAL INSURANCE BERHAD

Because the insurance policy between Defendant 2 and Defendant 3 includes subrogation and control rights over appointment of counsel, Defendants 1 and 2 cannot unilaterally change solicitors; the notice of change filed by new solicitors is void and the original solicitors remain appointed, consistent with binding Court of Appeal authorities.

Citation
DA-A53KJ-387-06/2023 (Mahkamah Sesyen)
Parties
Plaintiff: Jamilah binti Jaafar; Defendant 1: Muhamad Aidi bin Mat Shafei; Defendant 2: Shuhada Esah binti Yusuf; Defendant 3: AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad
Court
Sessions Court
Jurisdiction
Malaysia
Judgment Date
6 June 2024
Case Number
DA-A53KJ-387-06/2023 (Mahkamah Sesyen)
Procedural Posture
Road Traffic Accident Claim (motorcycle) / Interlocutory Decision on Notice of Change of Solicitors
Outcome
Notice of change of solicitors (Kandungan 44) declared invalid and void; original solicitors Tetuan Najwa & Partners remain as solicitors for Defendants 1 and 2.
Legal Topics
Subrogation, Change of Solicitors, Insurer's Right to Control Litigation, Authorized Driver
Source Language
Malay/English
Insurance Law Civil Procedure Road Traffic Law Contract Law Subrogation Change of Solicitors Insurer's Right to Control Litigation Authorized Driver

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Parties

Jamilah binti Jaafar

Plaintiff

Muhamad Aidi bin Mat Shafei

Defendant 1

Shuhada Esah binti Yusuf

Defendant 2

AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad

Defendant 3

Procedural Posture

Road Traffic Accident Claim (motorcycle) / Interlocutory Decision on Notice of Change of Solicitors

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether insured defendants may unilaterally appoint new solicitors contrary to insurer's rights under the insurance policy
  2. 2 Whether the notice of change of solicitors filed by new counsel is valid in light of a subrogation clause in the policy
  3. 3 Whether the court is bound by the cited Court of Appeal authorities on subrogation and authorized driver issues

Ratio Decidendi

Because the insurance policy between Defendant 2 and Defendant 3 includes subrogation and control rights over appointment of counsel, Defendants 1 and 2 cannot unilaterally change solicitors; the notice of change filed by new solicitors is void and the original solicitors remain appointed, consistent with binding Court of Appeal authorities.

Court Disposition

Notice of change of solicitors (Kandungan 44) declared invalid and void; original solicitors Tetuan Najwa & Partners remain as solicitors for Defendants 1 and 2.

Orders

  • Notice of Change of Solicitors filed by Tetuan Zufaidi & Associates (Kandungan 44) is declared invalid and void
  • Tetuan Najwa & Partners shall remain as solicitors for Defendants 1 and 2