Which court hears a scam claim

Why the court depends on the amount

A civil claim over scam losses in Malaysia is filed in one of three courts: the Magistrates Court, the Sessions Court, or the High Court. Which one hears it depends on how much you are claiming, not the type of scam.

This applies whether the loss came from an investment platform, a job scam, or any other scheme.

The three courts in order

The Magistrates Court hears smaller civil claims. It is generally the fastest and least costly route where it applies.

The Sessions Court sits above it, handling mid-sized claims that exceed the Magistrates Court’s limit. The High Court hears the largest and most complex claims, including cases that involve tracing funds or freezing assets across several accounts.

Read what a freezing order does if your case involves accounts that may still hold the money.

Why we do not quote exact figures here

The monetary limits that decide which court hears a claim are set by law. They are reviewed from time to time, so a figure printed today can be out of date later.

Rather than risk giving you an outdated number, a lawyer checks the current limit against your claim. This confirms the right court before anything is filed.

Where the High Court sits

Malaysia’s High Court operates through registries across the states. The correct registry generally depends on where you or the other party are based.

This is confirmed as part of preparing your filing, not something to guess in advance.

What to do next

The court question usually comes after you have already worked out whether legal action is worth it. The amount and the traceable assets shape both decisions together.

Our litigation viability worksheet walks through that assessment before the court question comes up. A first assessment can then confirm the right court and process for your specific claim.