Handling criminal litigation requires meticulous preparation and a strong command of the law to ensure that the rights of the accused are upheld and justice is ultimately served. To achieve this, a proper understanding of the intricacies of criminal litigation is essential, particularly for those who are new to criminal litigation practice. Criminal litigation in the courtroom is a combination of substantive criminal law and procedural laws, such as the Criminal Procedure Code and the Evidence Act 1950, coupled with effective advocacy. In the context of the Magistrates’ Court, which serves as the first-tier trial court, it handles the bulk of criminal cases, including narcotics offences, general crimes, and traffic offences, among others.
Against this backdrop, this book offers a practical, concise, and timely guide to understanding the dynamics of criminal litigation in the Magistrates’ Court, with a thorough discussion of the relevant laws and procedures governing criminal litigation, from jurisdiction through to sentencing. Written from an analytical and practice-oriented perspective, the book comprehensively examines the interplay between criminal procedure and evidential issues in a courtroom setting, with reference to all relevant
laws and practice directions.
Drawing on the author’s knowledge and experience in this area of law and practice, the book brings together statutory provisions, the latest judicial precedents, and comparative legal materials from other jurisdictions to provide readers with a clear and comprehensive understanding of the criminal litigation process in the Magistrates’ Court. Although the primary focus is on the Magistrates’ Court, the discussion of the criminal litigation process is broadly applicable and covers key stages such as remand, charge, bail, trial
proceedings, evidential issues, and sentencing jurisprudence.
Comprehensive and up to date, this book serves as an indispensable resource for criminal litigators, judicial officers, academics, law students, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the criminal litigation process and procedure.
KEY FEATURES:
- Comprehensive coverage of the Malaysian criminal litigation process and procedure, with a focus on the Magistrates’ Court.
- Practical, concise, and critical perspectives, featuring discussions that reflect the realities of criminal litigation in the courtroom.
- An excellent reference guide, including relevant statutory provisions, the latest case analyses, and commentaries.
- Relevant Practice Directions in the field of criminal practice.
- Summaries and key takeaways from all chapters are simplified in Bahasa Melayu.
- Practical tips for trial preparation for both prosecutors and defence lawyers.
| Chapters | Contents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction and Jurisdiction of the Court |
| 2 | Court for Children |
| 3 | Courtroom Decorum and Etiquette |
| 4 | Key Essential Criminal Procedure Concepts in Court |
| 5 | Trial and Evidential Procedure in Court |
| 6 | Sentencing and Miscellaneous Orders of the Court |
| 7 | Judgment Writing |
| Appendix A | Relevant Practice Directions for Criminal Cases |
| Appendix B | Summary of Chapters in Bahasa Melayu |
| Appendix C | Practical Tips for Trial Preparation |
About the Author:
Saravanan Meyappan is currently a Registrar of the High Court of Malaya (Criminal Division), Shah Alam, Selangor. In his career trajectory, he has served in various capacities such as the Registrar of the High Court of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur; Research Officer; Criminal Court Magistrate; Federal Counsel; and Deputy Public Prosecutor where he prosecuted commercial crime cases. Saravanan also frequently delivers talks and lectures at law schools and is an avid contributor of legal articles in the areas of criminal and child justice and public law.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB) from the National University of Malaysia (UKM) and a Master’s degree (LLM) in Public Law from the University of Bristol, England which he obtained as a British Chevening scholar. He also holds a Certificate in Professional Mediation from Royal Roads University, Canada as an accredited mediator, Certificate of Advanced Training in International Law and Practice from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and most recently, Certificate in The Convention on the Rights of the Child, Sustainable Development and the Law from University of Cambridge.
