Kedah Court History
Before the formation of the Federation of Malaya in 1948, the Courts in the State of Kedah were established based on provisions under the Kedah Courts Enactment 1909. The Courts established under the Kedah Courts Enactment 1909 are the Court of Appeal, the High Court (at that time known as Mahkamah Besar), the Syariah Court and the District Court.
The jurisdiction of the High Court at that time was the original jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases and the appellate jurisdiction to hear appeals of cases decided by the District Courts. In contrast, the Court of Appeal had the jurisdiction to hear appeals of cases decided by the High Court and the Syariah Court.
In 1909, the judges of the Court of Appeal consisted of members of the Kedah State Council and two experts in Shariah law. Mr.J.G. Richer, who was an assistant to the British adviser and two experts in Shariah law, namely Haji Muhammad Sahid and Sheikh Jarum, are among those who had been a Judge of the Court of Appeal in 1909. While the Chief Judge of the High Court at that time was Tuan Syed Hassan Barakbah. Another High Court Judge at that time was Tuan Syed Abdullah Shahabudin.
Parallel to the history of the development of the Judicial Institutions and Administration of Justice in the State of Kedah Darul Aman is the construction of the Court building. The Alor Setar Court Building (now known as the High Court) was once housed in the building that is now the State Art Gallery. The building was built in 1892. After serving as the High Court, it became an office for several state government departments before becoming the State Art Gallery.
.png)
In 1927, a building was built in Jalan Raja, Alor Setar, to be used as the High Court and Subordinate Courts of Alor Setar. The Alor Setar Court was one of the building located in Jalan Raja, Alor Setar that was later moved to a new building at the intersection of Jalan Putera next to Balai Nobat on Jalan Kampung Baru. The building was built in the month of Rabiulawal 1341 Hijrah, corresponding to November 1922. Flashback of the Alor Setar Courts building.
The current Kedah State Court consists of five High Courts, three of which are located in the Alor Setar Court Complex, while the other two are located in the Sungai Petani Court Complex. All these High Courts hear cases under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
The Kedah State Court also consists of 10 Sessions Courts, four in the Alor Setar Sessions Court, three in the Sungai Petani Sessions Court, two in the Kulim Sessions Court, and one in the Langkawi Sessions Court. All Sessions Courts hear cases under the jurisdiction of the Sessions Court.
The Kedah State Court also consists of 15 Magistrates’ Courts located in Alor Setar, Sungai Petani, Kulim, Bandar Baharu, Gurun, Yan, Baling, Sik, Jitra, Kuala Nerang and Langkawi which hear cases under the jurisdiction of the Magistrates’ Court.