The Portal To —
Law of MalaysiaMalaysia
A common-law country with a written federal Constitution, nine Rulers who take turns as head of state, Islamic law and Syariah courts for Muslims, native customary law in Sabah and Sarawak, and a plural legal order that is explained here. How the system works, how to live, work and buy there, and where the differences between the states matter. Free articles, organized by subject, growing every week.
New portal — the first articles are on their way.
Who This Page Is For
This portal collects material on Malaysian law, a common-law system with a written federal Constitution and a plural legal order: Islamic law governs the personal law of Muslims through the state Syariah courts, native customary law applies in Sabah and Sarawak, and the same civil courts decide commercial and criminal matters for everyone. It is written for readers who visit, live, work, study, buy property or do business in Malaysia or who want to understand its legal system, and it explains laws, institutions and procedures without giving legal advice or opinions on individual cases. Everywhere else on this site, content reflects US law unless a page says otherwise.
Course · 8 modules and a capstone · $15 · Module 1 free
Malaysian Law
A first course in Malaysian law: the Malay sultanates, British rule and Malaysia Day, the Federal Constitution and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the federal and state lists and the special position of Sabah and Sarawak, Islamic law and the Syariah courts and native customary law, the courts and the Bar, the fundamental liberties and judicial review, the Contracts Act and land and family law for Muslims and non-Muslims, companies, employment and tax, and criminal procedure, arbitration and foreign judgments.
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This portal fills in automatically, subject by subject, as new articles on Malaysian law are published — check back shortly.
Legal documents
31 legal documents in English
Leases, loan and sale agreements, powers of attorney, family documents, letters and more, ready to fill in and sign, in English, with the English translation alongside for the other party. PDF and Word. 6 € for a document in the language, 9 € with the English translation. Included in the individual All-Access plan, in the language you choose.
- • Residential Lease Agreement
- • Freelance Services Agreement
- • Loan Agreement
- • Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
- • Sale Agreement for Movable Goods (including a used vehicle)
- • Parental Consent for a Child to Travel Abroad
These are general templates for use in any country, each with a ‘check in your country’ list. They are not drafted under Malaysia law, and they are not legal advice.
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The Common Law Tradition
Where Malaysian contract, tort and equity come from and what they share with England, India, Singapore, Australia and the other legal systems of the common law world: the king’s courts, precedent and equity.
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