Courts of Malaysia

A federal common-law court system, with separate Syariah courts run by the states for Muslims on family and religious matters.

Civil and criminal courts

Federal CourtThe final court

Court of Appeal

High CourtsOne for Peninsular Malaysia, one for Sabah and Sarawak

Sessions Courts and Magistrates' Courts

Syariah courts (state level)

Syariah Court of Appeal

Syariah High Court

Syariah Subordinate Courts

Appeals travel up the arrows. Boxes with a heavier border are the top court of each track.

Worth knowing

Syariah courts only hear cases involving Muslims and only on matters the state law gives them, such as family law and some religious offences.
Sabah and Sarawak also have native courts for customary matters.

TheLawToKnow Tools’s court-structure diagrams are simplified on purpose and are not legal advice. Report a mistake.