Chris Kooi Wei Kit
Senior Partner
Chris Kooi Wei Kit is a recognized rising star in Malaysian litigation, bringing a strategic and results-oriented approach to complex criminal and civil disputes.
Acknowledged by LexisNexis® 40 UNDER 40 2025, Chris is credited him with the ability to swiftly identify critical legal issues and develop innovative, winning strategies that lead to the expeditious resolution of problems.
He is a self-motivated, thorough, and responsible advocate who maintains a successful track record across all levels of the Malaysian judiciary.
Chris Kooi focuses on criminal defence, personal injury and juvenile justice, pairing courtroom outcomes with public-facing legal education.
He has successfully secured acquittals or material sentence reductions in multiple criminal matters and obtained substantial personal-injury settlements that provided life-changing financial relief to clients.
He contributes commentary on criminal law, sentencing and reform to national media such as ChinaPress and SinChew, to strengthen public legal literacy.
His access-to-justice commitment is reflected in a significant volume of pro bono and legal-aid trial and appeal work for poor and marginalised communities.
In leadership, he has steered cases involving children in conflict with the law toward diversion and rehabilitation: by presenting evidence on background, reform prospects and support networks, he persuaded authorities and courts to impose outcomes such as good-behaviour bonds rather than detention - protecting futures and aligning with the rehabilitative aims of juvenile justice.
His growth mindset blends academic training and service: he holds an LL.M. and an MCJ from the University of Malaya, served as an Officer in the Royal Malaysian Navy Volunteer Reservist (2019–2024) and pursues endurance sports to sustain resilience for advocacy.
He envisions a profession more engaged with the public, transparent and accessible irrespective of socio-economic status, with lawyers leading in education, outreach and reform.
Key Expertise & Litigation Practice:
Chris successfully represents clients in a wide spectrum of criminal and civil litigation matters, frequently taking on challenging cases that require deep procedural knowledge and strategic finesse. His core practice areas include:
Criminal Defence Litigation: Providing robust representation in all facets of criminal law, from the Subordinate Courts up to the Appellate Courts.
Writ of Habeas Corpus Applications: Expertise in securing the fundamental liberty of clients through applications challenging unlawful detention.
Personal Injury Claims (Civil Litigation): Handling complex civil matters, ensuring effective compensation for clients.
Preventive Detention Tribunals: Successfully representing clients in matters before tribunals where liberty is at stake.
Affiliations & Corporate Advisory Chris extends his legal expertise into corporate and business advisory roles, offering practical guidance to commercial entities:
Legal Advisor to the North Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Legal Advisor to the Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association.
Academic Contribution & Publications A prolific researcher and writer, Chris is dedicated to contributing to the legal discourse in Malaysia. His published articles reflect a commitment to timely legal reform and the advancement of rights, including:
Protection from Harassment Act in Malaysia: Necessity or otherwise? [2021] LR 482
Rights of the Children in Conflict with Law under International Instruments and the Child Act [2021] LR 169