Gopal Sri Ram
Gopal Sri Ram | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the Federal Court of Malaysia | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sri Ramachandra Gopal Iyer 16 August 1943 |
| Died | 29 January 2023 (aged 79) Kuala Lumpur |
| Parent |
|
| Alma mater | Victoria Institution |
| Profession | Barrister, Judge |
Dato' Sri Ramachandra Gopal Ayer also known as Gopal Sri Ram (16 August 1943 – 29 January 2023) was a Malaysian judge of the Federal Court. a senior lawyer, and a distinguished constitutional jurist.[1] He was the first practising lawyer in Malaysia to be appointed directly to the Court of Appeal when the court was first established in 1994.[2] He was in active practice almost purely as an advocate until his elevation to the Court of Appeal on 17 September 1994. He had a distinguished career at the Bar and appeared in several leading cases covering a wide area of law. Many of these cases are reported in the Malayan Law Journal, some of which have introduced new principles into the Malaysian common law.[3]
He was also the lead prosecutor for the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project corruption case involving Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.[4]
Education
He received his early education at Batu Road School and the Victoria Institution. For short time after leaving school he taught English and Mathematics but the lure of the law was too strong and in July 1966 he left for England to read law. He was called to the English bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1969 and was called to the Malaysian bar in 1970.
Career
In 1994, Gopal Sri Ram was elevated directly to the Court of Appeal from the private bar during Mahathir Mohamad's administration. He is the first practitioner in Malaysia to be elevated directly to an appellate court.[2] In 2009, he was promoted to the Federal Court and subsequently retired in 2010.[2] Sri Ram is well known for his brilliant explosive and unconventional judgments.[3]
In 2005, Sri Ram was also appointed as a bencher by the Lincoln's Inn.[3]
Personal life
Sri Ram was married to Chandra Sri Ram[5] and has two sons, one of whom is a practising lawyer.
Death
On 29 January 2023, Sri Ram died in hospital after being warded for lung infection a week before.[1] His father Gopal Ayer who was an Assistant Commissioner for Labour, was the only non-British to have been conferred a Member of the British Empire by King George 1.[5]
Honours
Malacca
Companion Class I of the Exalted Order of Malacca (D.M.S.M) - Datuk’ (1996)[6]
Pahang
Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (D.I.M.P) - Dato’ (1996)[6]
References
- ^ a b FMT Reporters (29 January 2023). "Former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram dies, aged 79". Free Malaysia Today.
- ^ a b c Gopal, Sri Ram (December 2017). "A Mere Matter of Words" (PDF). Malaysian Bar. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c "Court of Appeal judge made a Bencher - The Malaysian Bar". www.malaysianbar.org.my. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ Jun, Soo Wern (29 January 2023). "Veteran lawyer Gopal Sri Ram dies at 79". Malay Mail. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ a b Johore Bar (January 2015). "Three Little Indian Boys" (PDF). Johore Bar. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Government of Malaysia (29 January 2023). "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran Bintang dan Pingat". Laman Web Rasmi Bahagian Isitiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
