1. What is law?

A set of rules
Sets standards of conduct between individuals and between individuals and
the government ( Social Control)
Provides structure for dealing with and resolving disputes
Providing deferent to those wishing to disrupt social order

2. Classification of Law
a) Public Law
- Governs the relationship between individuals and the state
- Dealing with different types of matters affecting the citizen-State
relationship
a) Constitutional law
: Rights of individuals in the state.
Supremacy of Parliament and rights of citizens.
State and federal powers
b) Administrative law
: Regulates the duties and exercise powers by administrative
authorities
c) Criminal law
: offences committed by individuals against the state
Murder, cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, theft, robbery,
counterfeiting
Police takes action and punish by fines payable or imprisonment

b) International Law
- 2 categories
1) Public International Law
: Law that prevails between state
2) Private International Law
: conflict of laws
Part of municipal law

c) Private Law
- Concerns with matters that affect the rights and duties of individuals
amongst themselves.
- Sometimes referred to as civil law
- Includes contract, tort, trust, family, company and property
- Intended to give compensation to persons injured


3. Discuss about composition and jurisdiction of Subordinate courts

o Consists of Penghulus courts, Magistrates courts and sessions courts
o Established under Section 3(2) of the Subordinate Court Act 1948
I. Penghulus courts
- Lowest court in Peninsular Malaysia
- Presided over by a Penghulu or Headman appointed by State
Government for a mukim
- May try civil disputes not exceed RM50
- Criminal cases may imposed fine not exceed RM25
II. Magistrates courts
- Deals with minor civil or criminal cases
- 1
st
Class Magistrates
-- Offences punishable up to 10 years imprisonment or fine only
-- Offences under Section 329 and Section 457 of the Penal code
@ 5 years imprisonment
@ RM10,000 fine
@ Whipping of up to 12 strokes
@ Combination of any above
- 2
nd
class Magistrates
~ Offences not exceed 12 months of imprisonment or fine only
~ my pass any sentence allowed by law:
@ Not exceed 6 months imprisonment
@ Not more than RM1000
@ Combination of the 2
III. Sessions Courts
- Highest of the Subordinate or inferior courts
- Presided by Sessions Court Judge
- Criminal jurisdiction to all offences other than offences punishable with
death
- Civil jurisdiction not exceed RM250,000 and more
- No jurisdiction in matters injunctions, specific performance,
bankruptcy, divorce, enforcement of trust and accounts.