Jurisdiction & Hierachy

In Malaysia, the judiciary plays a vital role in resolving legal disputes, ensuring that laws passed by Parliament, or actions taken by the government, comply with legal standards. It also has the authority to interpret both the Federal and State Constitutions. The judicial system is organized into a hierarchical structure, with the higher courts, including the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Courts, overseeing the lower courts such as the Sessions Court, Magistrates' Court, and Native Courts.

This court hierarchy reflects the structure from the lowest to the highest level and is integral to the judicial system. A key principle in the judicial process is the doctrine of precedents, which dictates that decisions made by higher courts are binding on lower courts, ensuring consistency in the legal system. Some courts may also be bound by their own previous decisions.

The Federal Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court are considered superior courts, which are ranked higher in the judicial hierarchy compared to the subordinate courts like the Sessions and Magistrates' Courts. As such, decisions made by these higher courts are authoritative and must be followed by the lower courts.