The Association of Women Lawyers welcomes the Federal Court’s decision which has reaffirmed the legal position that the civil courts retain sole jurisdiction over the dissolution of a non-Muslim marriage.

The Federal Court had clarified that upon dissolution of a civil marriage, all ancillary reliefs and consequential orders remained within the exclusive purview of the civil court, including that of custody. The Syariah Court custody order which was made in excess of jurisdiction was thus set aside.