SYARIAH COURT

Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Malaysia (JKSM) – Arahan Amalan No. 1 Tahun 2002

-         agreed upon similar issue, facts and law which have been determine/decided by a higher syariah court shall be respected by the lower syariah court.

-         If differ – use “adab al-ikhtilaf”

Jurisdiction – Constittution of Malaysia & state enactment.

Constitution of Malaysia 1984 (amendment) provides for the following power;

1)    Trial & sentence with imprisonment & fine – muslim only.

2)    Fine not more RM5,000.00

3)    6 month imprisonment

4)    Canning not more than 6 stroke.

5)    Combination of any of the above.

Syariah Court is lead by Chief Syarie Judge and has been divided in three levels with their own jurisdiction:

• The Syariah Court of Appeal
• The Syariah High Court
• The Syariah Subordinate Court

  

The Syariah Court of Appeal  

 

• Have jurisdiction to hear and determine any appeals for any decision that has been made by The Syariah High Court in execution of original jurisdiction.
• Can set aside/annul any conviction or lessen any sentence.
• Have monitoring power and checking on The Syariah High Court and, if found needed for justice importance, either their own need or on any party or people who has importance, at any level in any matter or proceeding, either mal or criminal, in Syariah High Court, called and examined any record about it and can make orders as required for justice.
• Cases heard by a panel of 3 person (appointed by Sultan). Chief Syarie Judge  is the chairman of this panel. Decision final.

 The Syariah High Court

• In its criminal jurisdiction, try any offence committed by a Muslim under the Islamic  Law (according to State Enactment) or any other written law which prescribes offences against the precepts of the religion of Islam.; and
• Have mal jurisdiction within The State, “The Syariah High Court” can:

1.          hear and decide all action and proceeding if all parties in actions or proceedings are muslims and actions or proceedings are related with;·

• betrothal, marriage, ruju’, divorce, annulment of marriage (fasakh), nusyuz,or judicial separation (faraq) or any other matter relating to the relationship between husband and wife;·
• Any disposal or claim properties raised from any matters stated in the subparagraph (i); · 
• the maintenance of dependants, legitimacy, or guardianship or custody (hadhanah) of infants;·
• wills or gifts made while in a state of marad-al-maut;· 
• gifts inter vivos, or settlements made without adequate  consideration in money or money’s worth by a Muslim;· 
•  Wakaf or nazr; · 
• division and inheritance of testate or intestate property;· 
• the determination of the persons entitled to share in the estate of a deceased Muslim or the shares to which such persons are respectively entitled;·
• a declaration that a person is no longer a Muslim;· 
• a declaration that a deceased person was a Muslim or otherwise at the time of his death; and· 
• other matters in respect of which jurisdiction is conferred by any written law. 

 The Syariah Subordinate Court

The Syariah Subordinate Court were divided according to each district:

Functions:

• The Syariah Subordinate Court has jurisdiction within The State at districts that are fixed and must be within it criminals jurisdiction, for offences committed by Muslim under Islamic Law (according to state Enactments) or any other written law which stipulates offence for Islamic Religion;
• The Syariah Subordinate Court has jurisdiction, within The State at districts that are fixed and must be in its Mal jurisdiction, can hear and decide all actions and proceedings where The Syariah High Court has been given power to hear and decide, (not including hadhanah claim or harta sepencarian).

Family Law according to states

No.	States	Name of Act / Enactment	Reference
1	Johor	Enakmen Undang-undang Keluarga Islam Johor	5/1990
2	Negeri Sembilan	Enakmen Undang-undang Keluarga Islam Negeri Sembilan	7/1983
3	Pahang	Enakmen Undang-undang Keluarga Islam Pahang	3/1991
4	Perak	Enakmen Undang-undang Keluarga Islam Perak	13/1991
5	Perlis	Enakmen Undang-undang Keluarga Islam Perlis	4/1992
6	Pulau Pinang	Enakmen Undang-undang Keluarga Islam Pulau Pinang	2/1985
7	Selangor	Enakmen Undang-undang Keluarga Islam Selangor	4/1984
8	Terengganu	Enakmen Undang-undang Pentadbiran Keluarga Islam Johor	12/1985
9	Kedah	Enakmen Keluarga Islam Kedah	1/1984
10	Kelantan	Enakmen Keluarga Islam Kelantan	1/1983
11	Melaka	Enakmen Keluarga Islam Melaka	8/1983
12	Sabah	Enakmen Keluarga Islam Sabah	15/1992
1	Sarawak	Ordinan Undang-undang Keluarga Islam Sarawak	5/1991
1	W. Persekutuan	Akta Undang-undang Keluarga Islam Wilayah Persekutuan	(A303) 1983 pindaan / (A828)