Keberkesanan Majlis Sulh dan Kaedah yang Digunakan dalam Penyelesaian Kes-Kes di Mahkamah Rendah Syariah Kuala Kangsar (MRSKK)/ The Effectiveness Of The Sulh Council And The Methods Employed In Resolving Cases At The Kuala Kangsar Shariah Lower Court (MRSKK)

The Sulh Council is an alternative mechanism established within the Syariah Court to expedite the resolution of the backlog of registered cases. The sulh process functions as a guided discussion platform between disputing parties to reach a mutual agreement, which is subsequently formalised by the Sulh Officer. Notably, at the Kuala Kangsar Syariah Subordinate Court (MRSKK), approximately 85% of all cases have been successfully resolved through the Sulh Council. This development significantly eases judicial procedures, as settlement agreements signed by the parties are endorsed by the presiding judge as binding court orders, thereby eliminating the need for lengthy trials. Accordingly, this study aims to analyse the types of cases successfully resolved through the Sulh Council and to evaluate the effectiveness of the methods employed in the sulh process at MRSKK. Anchored in an interpretivist research philosophy and employing a case study strategy, this study adopts a qualitative design, incorporating document analysis and semi-structured interviews with the Syariah Judge, Sulh Officer, and Assistant Registrar at MRSKK. Document content analysis was further utilised in analysing the data, with findings categorised thematically. The study reveals that the three most frequently resolved cases through the Sulh Council were ordinary divorce, child maintenance claims, and hadanah (custody), while the two most effective methods employed were mediation and Islamic counselling approaches. Further research is recommended to explore additional methods such as restorative approaches, Maqasid Syariah-based counselling, and the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) in the sulh process, particularly within Syariah Courts in Malaysia, with specific reference to MRSKK.