Global Legal Information

Malaysia's legal system is a hybrid system drawing from common law, Islamic law (Shariah), and customary law. The Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land and provides the framework for the legal system. Lower in the hierarchy are federal and state laws passed by parliament and state legislatures, respectively. English common law, inherited from British colonial rule, forms the basis for civil and criminal law. Islamic law governs Muslims in areas like family and inheritance, while customary laws apply to indigenous communities.

The Malaysian court system is structured with both civil and Syariah (Islamic) courts, alongside a hierarchy of courts within the civil system itself. The Syariah courts handle matters of Islamic law for Muslims, primarily focusing on personal and family matters.
The civil courts follow a UK common law system and include:

• the Magistrates' Court;
• Sessions Court - has broader jurisdiction than the Magistrates' Court, including more serious criminal and civil matters;
• High Court;
• Court of Appeal, and
• Federal Court - the highest court in Malaysia, hearing appeals from the Court of Appeal and also having original jurisdiction in certain constitutional matters.