Native Courts Enactment 2026
Copy of the official text captured from Sabah State Attorney-General's Chambers (SAGC) LawNet (sagc.sabah.gov.my) on 27 October 2026. Always check the official portal for the authoritative current version.
| Type | State enactment |
|---|---|
| Applies to | Sabah |
| Year | 2026 |
| Published by | Sabah State Attorney-General's Chambers (SAGC) LawNet |
Contents — Parts and sections
50 sections in 11 Parts, headings copied from the “ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS” of the official text (copy of 27 October 2026). Read the full wording in the PDF.
Definitions: section 2 (Interpretation).
Part I PRELIMINARY (3)
- s 1 Short title, commencement and application
- s 2 Interpretation
- s 3 Objects of establishment of native courts
Part II ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIVE COURTS (5)
- s 4 Establishment of Native District Court
- s 5 Establishment of Native High Court
- s 6 Establishment of Native Court of Appeal
- s 7 Seals of native courts
- s 8 Process of native courts
Part III JURISDICTION AND POWERS (7)
- s 9 Jurisdiction of native courts
- s 10 Original jurisdiction of Native District Court
- s 11 Original jurisdiction of Native High Court
- s 12 Local jurisdiction of native courts
- s 13 Native system of personal law
- s 14 Powers of native courts
- s 15 Power to issue summons, subpoena and warrant
- FOR REFERENCE ONLY (OCTOBER 2026)
Part IV APPEAL AND REVISION (7)
- s 16 Jurisdiction to hear and determine appeals
- s 17 Leave to appeal
- s 18 Notice of appeal
- s 19 Powers of appellate court
- s 20 Immaterial errors
- s 21 Supervisory and revisionary jurisdiction
- s 22 Discretion as to hearing parties
Part V NATIVE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (1)
- s 23 Native Judicial Appointment Advisory Committee
Part VI APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES, REGISTRARS AND OTHER OFFICERS (6)
- s 24 Appointment of Judges
- s 25 Qualification to be appointed as Judge of Native Superior Court
- s 26 Qualification to be appointed as Judge of Native District Court
- s 27 Tenure of office
- s 28 Removal from office
- s 29 Appointment of Registrars, etc.
Part VII REGISTER OF ELDERS (1)
- s 30 Register of Elders
- FOR REFERENCE ONLY (OCTOBER 2026)
Part VIII NATIVE COURT ADVOCATE (1)
- s 31 Native court advocate
Part IX PROCEEDINGS IN NATIVE COURTS (9)
- s 32 Proceedings to be in open court
- s 33 Proceedings through remote communication technology
- s 34 Applications
- s 35 Incidental directions and interim orders
- s 36 Continuation of proceedings
- s 37 Judgment of Native Superior Court
- s 38 Adat fine, compensation, etc.
- s 39 Mediation
- s 40 Cognizance of offence
Part X MISCELLANEOUS (9)
- s 41 Language and record
- s 42 Account
- s 43 Protection of Judges and officers
- s 44 Restriction on discussion of conduct of Judge
- s 45 Limitation period
- s 46 Power to issue code of ethics and practice directions
- s 47 Rules Committee
- s 48 Rules of native courts
- s 49 Power to make rules in relation to adat and native customary law
- FOR REFERENCE ONLY (OCTOBER 2026)
Part XI REPEAL, SAVING AND TRANSITIONAL (1)
- s 50 Repeal, saving and transitional
Schedules: FIRST SCHEDULE · SECOND SCHEDULE — I assent, Yang di-Pertua Negeri. No. 7 of 2026
Related laws
Subordinate Courts Act 1948 (Act 92)Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 (Act 164)Native Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1991 (Act 471)
Federal Acts that this law's official text itself refers to (as “[Act N]”), most-referred first.
Version history
| Captured | Language | Official “last updated” | Pages | SHA-256 | File |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 October 2026 | English | — | 45 | a91b703c733e | PDF 0.5 MB |
A new version is kept only when the official file changes (different SHA-256 fingerprint). Older versions are never overwritten, so you can see what the text said on an earlier date.
Official source
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