Quantum (amount claimed)
Updated 2026-09-29
Quantum is the legal term for the specific amount of money a claimant is asking the court to award. It covers the actual loss plus, where claimed, interest and costs, set out clearly in the cause papers that start the case.
In Malaysia, the quantum claimed affects which court hears the matter, since the Magistrates’, Sessions, and High Courts each handle claims within different monetary ranges.
Working out the correct quantum matters because a claim pitched too high can be hard to prove, while one pitched too low may leave money on the table. It usually includes the principal sum lost, and can include other losses that flow directly from the scam.
When it matters
A lawyer assessing a scam case will usually start by working out the realistic quantum before deciding which court and which procedure fits the claim.
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