Sessions Courts of Malaysia

The Sessions Courts are an important part of the subordinate courts in Malaysia, handling a wide range of criminal and civil cases.

Jurisdiction

Criminal Jurisdiction

Offenses punishable with imprisonment up to 20 years
Offenses under the Child Act 2001
All offenses under the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971

Civil Jurisdiction

Civil actions where the claim does not exceed RM1 million
Matrimonial matters for non-Muslims
Probate and administration cases where the estate value does not exceed RM2 million

Composition

Sessions Courts are presided over by Sessions Court Judges, who are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the recommendation of the Chief Judge.

Key Functions

Criminal Trials: Conducting trials for a wide range of criminal offenses
Civil Disputes: Adjudicating civil matters within its monetary jurisdiction
Family Law: Handling divorce and custody matters for non-Muslims
Juvenile Cases: Acting as the Court for Children in certain cases

Significance

The Sessions Courts play a crucial role in the Malaysian judicial system by:

Providing accessible justice for a wide range of legal matters
Reducing the caseload of the High Courts
Handling the majority of criminal and civil cases in the country

Locations

Sessions Courts are found in most major towns and cities across Malaysia. Some key locations include:

Kuala Lumpur
Shah Alam
Johor Bahru
Penang
Ipoh
Melaka
Kota Bharu
Kuching
Kota Kinabalu

There are numerous other Sessions Courts located throughout the country to ensure accessibility for citizens in different regions.

For specific information on Sessions Court procedures or to understand if your case falls under its jurisdiction, please consult legal professionals or official court resources.