Amanda Jayne Spinks (Pasport British No.: 518382292) Jasmine binti Mohd Haneef (No KP: 751022-14-5284)

Amanda Jayne Spinks (Pasport British No.: 518382292) Jasmine binti Mohd Haneef (No KP: 751022-14-5284)

Subsection 3(3) of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 plainly and unambiguously excludes Muslims from the application of the Act; therefore civil courts have no jurisdiction under Act 164 over Muslims. The only statutory exception is the limited case where a non-Muslim party to a civil marriage subsequently converts to Islam, in which case decrees and orders under Part VII and Part VIII remain valid against the converting party. Applying the plain meaning and binding authorities, Appeal W-02(IM)-2417-12/2019 is allowed and the High Court order is set aside; Appeal W-02(IM)-2332-12/2019 is dismissed as redundant.

Citation
W-02(IM)-2332-12/2019 (Mahkamah Rayuan)
Parties
Appellant (in Appeal W 02(im) 2417 12/2019); Co Respondent (high Court): Jasmine Binti Mohd Haneef; Respondent (in Appeal W 02(im) 2417 12/2019); Appellant (in Appeal W 02(im) 2332 12/2019); Petitioner (high Court): Amanda Jayne Spinks; Respondent (high Court): Robert Ingham Spinks
Court
IM
Jurisdiction
Malaysia
Judgment Date
6 July 2020
Case Number
W-02(IM)-2332-12/2019 (Mahkamah Rayuan)
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal Matrimonial/family Law / Court of Appeal Judgment on Appeals W 02(im) 2417 12/2019 and W 02(im) 2332 12/2019 Arising From High Court Judicial Separation Petition WA 33 364 07/2019
Outcome
Appeal W-02(IM)-2417-12/2019 allowed; Appeal W-02(IM)-2332-12/2019 dismissed
Legal Topics
Application and Construction of Law Reform (marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 S3(3), Adultery and Co Respondent Liability (s58), Civil Court Jurisdiction Vs Syariah Courts, Effect of Conversion to Islam on Civil Obligations, Use of Hansard in Statutory Interpretation
Source Language
Malay/English
Family Law Islamic Law/syariah Jurisdiction Statutory Interpretation Constitutional/choice of Law Issues Application and Construction of Law Reform (marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 S3(3) Adultery and Co Respondent Liability (s58) Civil Court Jurisdiction Vs Syariah Courts Effect of Conversion to Islam on Civil Obligations +1 more

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Parties

Jasmine Binti Mohd Haneef

Appellant (in Appeal W 02(im) 2417 12/2019); Co Respondent (high Court)

Amanda Jayne Spinks

Respondent (in Appeal W 02(im) 2417 12/2019); Appellant (in Appeal W 02(im) 2332 12/2019); Petitioner (high Court)

Robert Ingham Spinks

Respondent (high Court)

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal Matrimonial/family Law / Court of Appeal Judgment on Appeals W 02(im) 2417 12/2019 and W 02(im) 2332 12/2019 Arising From High Court Judicial Separation Petition WA 33 364 07/2019

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Act 164 (LRA 1976) applies to a Muslim person or excludes all Muslims
  2. 2 Whether the phrase in s3(3) refers only to Muslim marriages or to Muslims generally
  3. 3 Whether a Muslim can be named as co-respondent and be liable for damages under s58 in a judicial separation petition

Ratio Decidendi

Subsection 3(3) of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 plainly and unambiguously excludes Muslims from the application of the Act; therefore civil courts have no jurisdiction under Act 164 over Muslims. The only statutory exception is the limited case where a non-Muslim party to a civil marriage subsequently converts to Islam, in which case decrees and orders under Part VII and Part VIII remain valid against the converting party. Applying the plain meaning and binding authorities, Appeal W-02(IM)-2417-12/2019 is allowed and the High Court order is set aside; Appeal W-02(IM)-2332-12/2019 is dismissed as redundant.

Court Disposition

Appeal W-02(IM)-2417-12/2019 allowed; Appeal W-02(IM)-2332-12/2019 dismissed

Orders

  • Order of the High Court dated 27.11.2019 set aside
  • Appeal W-02(IM)-2417-12/2019 allowed with costs to the appellant