LAW HIRACHY
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High Courts
The two High Courts in Malaysia have general supervisory andrevisionary jurisdiction over all the Subordinate Courts, and jurisdiction to hear appeals from the Subordinate Courts in civiland criminal matters.The High Courts have unlimited civil jurisdiction, and generallyhear actions where the claim exceeds RM250,000, other than actionsinvolving motor vehicle accidents, landlord and tenant disputesand distress. The High Courts hear all matters relating to:the validity or dissolution of marriage (divorce ) and matrimonialcauses, bankruptcy and matters relating to the winding-up ofcompanies, guardianship or custody of children,grants of probate, wills and letters of administration of estates,injunctions, specific performance or rescissions of contracts,legitimacy of persons.
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The High Courts have unlimited jurisdiction in all criminalmatters other than matters involving Islamic law . The HighCourts have original jurisdiction in criminal cases punishable bydeath .Cases are heard by a single judge in the High Court, or by a judicial commissioner . While High Court judges enjoy security oftenure, judicial commissioners are appointed for a term of twoyears, and do not enjoy similar protection under the Constitution.An application for a judicial review is applied in this court. 20
The Magistrates' Courts and Sessions Courts in Malaysiahave jurisdiction in both criminal and civil matters
Sessions Courts
Somewhat like the former Quarter Sessions in England, theSessions Courts have jurisdiction to try offences which arenot punishable by death. They are presided over by SessionsCourt judges (formerly Sessions Court Presidents).The Sessions Courts also hear all civil matters of which theclaim exceeds RM25,000 but does not exceed RM250,000,except in matters relating to motor vehicle accidents,landlord and tenant and distress, where the Sessions Courtshave unlimited jurisdiction. 21
Magistrates' Courts
Magistrates are divided into First
High Courts
The two High Courts in Malaysia have general supervisory andrevisionary jurisdiction over all the Subordinate Courts, and jurisdiction to hear appeals from the Subordinate Courts in civiland criminal matters.The High Courts have unlimited civil jurisdiction, and generallyhear actions where the claim exceeds RM250,000, other than actionsinvolving motor vehicle accidents, landlord and tenant disputesand distress. The High Courts hear all matters relating to:the validity or dissolution of marriage (divorce ) and matrimonialcauses, bankruptcy and matters relating to the winding-up ofcompanies, guardianship or custody of children,grants of probate, wills and letters of administration of estates,injunctions, specific performance or rescissions of contracts,legitimacy of persons.
19
The High Courts have unlimited jurisdiction in all criminalmatters other than matters involving Islamic law . The HighCourts have original jurisdiction in criminal cases punishable bydeath .Cases are heard by a single judge in the High Court, or by a judicial commissioner . While High Court judges enjoy security oftenure, judicial commissioners are appointed for a term of twoyears, and do not enjoy similar protection under the Constitution.An application for a judicial review is applied in this court. 20
The Magistrates' Courts and Sessions Courts in Malaysiahave jurisdiction in both criminal and civil matters
Sessions Courts
Somewhat like the former Quarter Sessions in England, theSessions Courts have jurisdiction to try offences which arenot punishable by death. They are presided over by SessionsCourt judges (formerly Sessions Court Presidents).The Sessions Courts also hear all civil matters of which theclaim exceeds RM25,000 but does not exceed RM250,000,except in matters relating to motor vehicle accidents,landlord and tenant and distress, where the Sessions Courtshave unlimited jurisdiction. 21
Magistrates' Courts
Magistrates are divided into First