ON Aug 26, my lawyers informed me that the matter of my wife's will and our application for a probate was set to be heard that morning.

I was required to be present. My lawyer and one of his colleagues who was involved in the matter were there.

One had travelled from Kuala Lumpur and the other from Petaling Jaya. I also travelled from PJ.

At the courthouse, I was informed by our lawyer that the matter had not been set for hearing on that day.

He said that this was a normal occurrence in our country. Lawyers are not informed of changes to hearing dates until they arrive at the courts although the courts may have confirmed in writing that the date had been set.
It is amazing why this is accepted as "normal" practice.

Don't those responsible for the administration of the court system realise what an enormous waste of time, money and emotional suffering this kind of indifferent inefficiency gives rise to?

In this instance, it cost three individuals one morning of their working time, wastage of fuel and inconvenience to family and friends.

What are we doing with all the advances in communication like handphones, SMSes and emails?

Could not the courts inform the party concerned that there has been a change?

Imagine this type of inefficiency occurring throughout our country every day.

The loss in terms of money and man-hours must run into several hundred thousand ringgit each day.

Why is the Bar Council not taking this matter seriously and perhaps holding a public protest to bring it to the attention of the authorities?

I am sure that people like me and my lawyers, especially those who travel great distances to appear in court on scheduled days, will be grateful for an improvement in the present practice.

Surely we can improve the efficiency of our court system.