FT Syariah Court fast track service helps resolve divorce cases faster, reduce backlog

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Syariah Lower Court’s fast track service introduced in 2021 has successfully resolved cases, including divorce, within a day.

Syariah Chief Judge of the Federal Territories Syariah Court (MSWP) Mohd Asri Tahir said case resolution was on condition that the parties have a mutual agreement before the matter is registered at the fast track counter.

“The case will then be heard by a judge… and the court will give a written order on the same day the case is registered,” he said when contacted recently.

He added that the categories of cases handled by the service include applications for divorce, confirmation of divorce decrees, reconciliation confirmation, and “wali hakim” (legal guardian appointed by the court).

Mohd Asri said before the service was introduced, parties had to wait for 21 days to obtain a mention date before the judge after the case was filed in court.

Apart from that, the service also reduces the backlog of cases, improving delivery to MSWP clients in particular and the Federal Territories community in general, he said.

He added that the fast track service has been extended to the Federal Territory Putrajaya Syariah Lower Court from March 6.

He said a total of 4,743 cases had been resolved through the fast track service: 797 cases (100% resolved) in 2021; 1,660 cases (99.75% resolved) in 2022; and 2,286 cases (97.56% resolved) last year.

He added that MSWP also created a courtroom designated for hadhanah claims, alimony and criminal cases, for more efficient handling.

Meanwhile, Syariah lawyer Nur Hidayah A. Bakar said the service can reduce the time it takes to resolve the case and the cost to the parties.

“My clients are happy with this service, as their cases can be resolved quickly, and they don’t have to appear in court repeatedly before the judge, just to obtain a date,” she said.

Private sector employee Siti Khadijah Abdullah, 45, said the fast track service greatly aided parties involved in divorce cases.

“I filed for divorce at the fast track counter. It only took a few hours to complete.

“If a couple agrees (on the resolution to) a domestic problem, it is better to use this service,” she said. – BK