The History of Complex court Alor Star

The building is located at the intersection of Princes Street next to the Throne Hall.
At first, it was placed at the Courthouse Center for the Arts present, and then called
"Supreme Court". The building was built in 1341 AH Rabiul awal November 1922 as it
appears on a marble slab at an angle in the courthouse. The names of those responsible for
the construction of the court is the Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah (Regent), W.Peel ESQ
(British Adviser), Major WR Sanguinetti, O.B.E.M.C. (District Engineer), F.W. Wade ESQ.
A.I.R.B. (Architect), and H.W.Fofden ESQ. (Contractor).Looking at the architectural design,
clearly showed that this building is characterized by Roman architecture. These can be
identified by the design of the pole adjacent to each other without thinking about the
vastness of space, the space will be used. There are also different kinds of carvings on the
walls. At the top of the roof is placed near the symbol logo Kedah. With the completion of the
court complex in Alor Setar recently at Jalan Suka Menanti in May 2005, the High Court has
been moved there. The court building was renovated in 2007 to Gallery Sultan Abdul Halim.

Types of Court
There are several types of court in the complex court Alor setar which are High
Court, Sessions Court and Magistrates Court. Firstly the high court. The high court consist 2
Chief Judges, one in Peninsular Malaysia and one in Sabah and Sarawak. There are at least
56 judges and Judicial Commissioners of whom 11 are in Sabah and Sarawak and 45 in
Peninsular Malaysia. There are four high courts that have in complex court Alor Setar.
Secondly is Magistrates Court. This court deals with minor and criminal cases. The court is
presided over by a magistrate. Under S85 of Subordinate Courts Act 1948 (Revised 1972)
amended by the Subordinate Courts (Amendment) Act 1978, a first class magistrate
processes jurisdiction to try all offences for which the maximum term of punishment provided
by law does not exceed ten years imprisonment, or all offences punishable with fine only, as
well as offences under S392 and 457 of the Penal Code (s392 of the Penal Code deals with

punishment for robbery while S457 deals with lurking, house-trespass or house breaking at
night) . There four magistrates courts that have in complex court Alor Setar. Each
magistrates court there are different cases that been conducted of judge. For examples civil
case, suit JPJ and criminal case. The last types of court that have in complex court Alor
Setar is Session Court. This court is the highest of the subordinates or inferior courts. It is
under the charge of the Sessions Court judge. Its criminal jurisdiction extends to all offences
other than offences punishable with death. In complex court Alor setar there are five
sessions court.

FUNCTION EACH OF THE COURTS

HIGH COURT
The jurisdiction of the high court is original, appellate and supervisory. It has
unlimited criminal and civil power. Any civil matter which cannot be determined in the
subordinate courts is heard before the High Court. The high court has the jurisdiction to try
all civil proceedings where: The cause of action arose within Malaysia or the defendant
resides or has his place of business within Malaysia or the facts on which the proceedings
are based, exist or are alleged to have occurred within Malaysia or any land the ownership
of which is disputed is situation within Malaysia. Among other civil jurisdiction, includes
bankruptcy or winding up matters, probates and administration of estates of deceased
persons. In criminal cases, no case may be brought to the High Court unless an offender
has been properly committed for trial after a preliminary hearing in a Magistrates court. The
high court hears civil and criminal appeals from Magistrates and Sessions court. The high
court also possesses the power refer any points of law arising in the appeal for the decision
of the court of Appeal if it feels that it is in the public interest and of paramount importance.

SESSIONS COURT
A Sessions Court may pass any sentence allowed by law other than the death
sentence. In civil matters, it has jurisdiction to try all actions and suits of a civil nature where
the amount in dispute or value of the subject-matter does not exceed RM1000, 000. But in
general matter relating to land, specific performance or recession of contracts, injunction,
probate and administration of estates, divorce, bankruptcy, trust, and accounts are excluded
from its jurisdiction.

MAGISTRATESS COURT
In a first class magistrate court, where a person is found guilty, the magistrate may
pass any sentence allowed by law not exceeding: 5 years imprisonment, a fine of RM10000,
whipping of up to 12 strokes and a combination of any of the above mentioned. It has an
authority to try all actions and suits where the amount in dispute or value of the subjectmatter does not exceed RM25,000. It may also exercise jurisdiction in actions for the
recovery of immovable property and for recovery of rent, mesne profits and damage, when
the money claimed does not exceed RM24,000 or where the rent payable in respect of the
premises does not exceed RM24,000 per year or RM2,000 per month. A second class
magistrate has jurisdiction to try offences for which the maximum term of imprisonment
provided by law does not exceed 12 months imprisonment or offences punishable with a
fine only. A second class magistrate may pass any sentence allowed by law: Not exceeding
6 months imprisonment, a fine of not more than RM1000 or any sentence combining either
of the aforesaid sentences. A second class magistrate shall only have jurisdiction to try
original actions or suits of a civil nature where the plaintiff seeks to recover a debt or
liquidated demand on money payable by the defendant, which or without interest, not
exceeding RM3000.