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A Statement of Claim launches your legal case in Malaysian courts by clearly spelling out why you're suing someone and what you want from them. It's the first major document you file when starting a civil lawsuit, setting out the key facts, legal grounds, and specific remedies you're seeking from the court.

Malaysian law requires your Statement of Claim to include precise details about what happened, when it happened, and how the defendant's actions caused you harm or loss. You'll typically file this document at the High Court or Sessions Court registry, depending on your claim's value and nature. Once filed, the court will serve it on the defendant, who then has 14 days to respond.

File a Statement of Claim when someone has wronged you and informal resolution attempts have failed. Common situations include breach of contract disputes, property damage claims, debt recovery, or professional negligence cases where you need the Malaysian courts to enforce your legal rights and award compensation.

Time is critical - you must file within specific limitation periods, usually six years for contract disputes and three years for negligence cases under Malaysian law. Many businesses file Statements of Claim to recover unpaid debts, while individuals often use them for personal injury claims, tenancy disputes, or when seeking specific performance of contractual obligations.

• General Commercial Claims: Used for business disputes, contract breaches, and debt recovery - requires detailed financial loss calculations and supporting evidence
• Personal Injury Claims: Focuses on damages from accidents or negligence - needs medical reports and specific injury descriptions
• Property Dispute Claims: Common in landlord-tenant conflicts or boundary disputes - includes property details and documented violations
• Professional Negligence Claims: Used against service providers or professionals - must outline the duty of care and specific failures
• Specific Performance Claims: Forces completion of contractual obligations - requires clear terms and breach evidence

• Plaintiffs: Individuals, businesses, or organizations who initiate legal action by filing the Statement of Claim to seek remedies through Malaysian courts
• Legal Practitioners: Lawyers who draft and file the claims, ensuring proper legal format and compelling arguments
• Court Officials: Registry staff who process and serve the Statement of Claim, plus judges who review its contents
• Defendants: Parties who receive the claim and must respond within specified timeframes
• Expert Witnesses: Professionals who provide supporting evidence or testimony referenced in complex claims

• Gather Evidence: Collect all relevant documents, photos, correspondence, and records that support your claim
• Document Timeline: Create a clear chronological record of events, including exact dates and important interactions
• Calculate Damages: Prepare detailed calculations of financial losses, supported by receipts and documentation
• Identify Parties: List complete names and addresses of all defendants and confirm their legal status
• Draft Clearly: State your cause of action, legal basis, and specific remedies sought in plain, precise language
• Review Format: Ensure compliance with Malaysian court rules regarding structure, content, and filing requirements

• Title and Court Details: Full name of court, case number, and parties involved
• Parties' Information: Complete names, addresses, and legal status of plaintiff and defendants
• Cause of Action: Clear statement of legal basis for claim under Malaysian law
• Material Facts: Chronological narrative of events supporting your claim
• Relief Sought: Specific remedies requested from the court
• Particulars of Loss: Detailed breakdown of damages claimed with supporting calculations
• Statement of Truth: Signed declaration confirming accuracy of claim contents
• Filing Details: Date, location, and proper endorsement by court registry

A Statement of Claim differs significantly from a Witness Statement in Malaysian legal proceedings. While both are court documents, they serve distinct purposes and appear at different stages of litigation.

• Primary Purpose: A Statement of Claim initiates legal action and outlines your case against the defendant, while a Witness Statement provides supporting evidence after proceedings have begun
• Content Focus: Statement of Claims present legal arguments and remedies sought; Witness Statements detail specific observations or facts from a witness perspective
• Timing: File your Statement of Claim at the start of proceedings; submit Witness Statements during the evidence-gathering phase
• Legal Effect: Statement of Claims define the scope of your entire case; Witness Statements serve as evidence to support specific elements of your claim
• Format Requirements: Statement of Claims follow strict court-mandated formats; Witness Statements need simpler, more narrative structures