Experience

Xavier Joachim is a founding partner of Xavier & Koh Partnership (XK Law), a Kuala Lumpur-based law firm. He commenced his legal practice with Messrs Chooi & Company, one of Malaysia’s oldest law firms, where he established himself as a versatile advocate with experience spanning civil and criminal litigation. This foundation laid the groundwork for his breadth of practice and his capacity to serve diverse client needs—ranging from individuals to corporate entities, including foreign clients seeking Malaysian counsel. Over the years, Xavier has developed extensive trial experience in courts of first instance and in appellate hearings. His civil practice encompasses intellectual property disputes, land matters, tort, and contractual disputes, while his criminal practice covers a wide array of offences, with a particular emphasis on complex white-collar crime matters. He is frequently engaged to advise on disclosure obligations under key Malaysian statutes, such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act 2009 (MACC Act), the Witness Protection Act 2009, and the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010. This background reflects a practitioner who regularly interacts with major government and regulatory authorities, including the Royal Malaysia Police, Royal Malaysian Customs, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Inland Revenue Board, the Immigration Department of Malaysia, and the Department of Environment. Xavier’s experience extends to regulatory enforcement matters and corporate liability, with a track record in representing clients in cases involving corruption offenses, money laundering, and other white-collar crimes. He also serves as a regular representative for foreign clients dealing with immigration offences, underscoring his role in cross-border legal matters. His expertise is complemented by notable cross-border recognition, including work that has led to appointment as an expert witness in an Australian court in a dispute involving immigration and citizenship issues. In addition to his litigation practice, Xavier actively engages in pro bono work, focusing on migrant workers, refugees, stateless persons, and others who cannot afford legal services, reflecting his commitment to access to justice and human rights. As a founding partner of XK Law, Xavier contributes to developing a practice that blends local Malaysian expertise with an international perspective, helping foreign firms leverage Malaysian law and bridging cross-border legal considerations for clients undertaking projects in Malaysia. The firm’s strategic location in Kuala Lumpur supports his ongoing work with both local and international clients, particularly where complex regulatory, criminal, or civil litigation matters intersect with immigration and cross-border issues.

Specialty

Criminal Law: Expert handling of corruption offenses (including corporate liability), money laundering, regulatory enforcement, and other white-collar crimes; extensive experience with disclosure obligations under MACC Act, Witness Protection Act, and Whistleblower Protection Act; advisory and representation for both corporate and individual defendants.
Immigration Law: Representation and advisory work related to immigration offences; cross-border matters involving migrants and citizenship-related issues; regular interaction with immigration authorities.
Intellectual Property Law: Litigation and enforcement, including trademarks, copyright, and related disputes; experience in pre-action and injunction proceedings and enforcement of judgments.
Land and Property Law: Disputes relating to eviction, tenancy, land caveats, and other property matters, including litigation and advisory roles.
Contract and Civil Disputes: General civil litigation, contractual disputes, tort and negligence matters, and defamation or related actions.
Constitutional Law and Public Interest: Involvement in cases touching on citizenship rights, gender equality, and other constitutional issues; engagement in public-interest litigation.
Arbitration & ADR: Involvement in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution as part of broader litigation strategies.
Regulatory Compliance: Advising on regulatory regimes across sectors such as food safety and environmental laws; experience with government investigations and compliance programs.
Cross-Border and International Work: Regular engagement with foreign firms, cross-border matters, and an expert-witness role in international disputes, reflecting a global-oriented practice.

Education

LLB (Hons), University of London
Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya
Certificate of Legal Practice
Volunteer Lawyer, National Legal Aid Foundation
Volunteer Lawyer, Kuala Lumpur Bar Legal Aid Centre
Speaker, Legal Aid Awareness Programme, KL Bar Legal Aid Centre
Diplomacy Training Program for Advocates, University of New South Wales (Australia) – Certification
Essentials of Humanitarian Negotiations, UNHCR Regional Centre in APAC – Certification
HRDC Trainer Certification

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