Three settlements were incorporated into straits
settlement (Penang, Singapore and Malacca). English
law was introduced through the second charter of
justice which contained almost the same provisions
as the first charter of justice which was stood on 27
November 1826 with a little modification to suit the
local inhabitants with different race and religions and
customs.
We can see from the case of Fatimah v Logan where a
Muslim had passed away in Penang and he left his
will before passing away so the confusion was which
law would apply to determine the validity of the will.
Finally, English law had superseded Islamic law as the
courts determined that lex loci of Penang was English
law.
The jurisdiction of the court Judicature of Prince of
Wales Island was extended through the charter to
Singapore and Malacca. The administration of justice
Straits Settlements was considered unsatisfactory.
There was only one recorder who was assisted by lay
justices. He who was based in Penang and rarely
visited Malacca and Singapore. Lay judges were
appointed but their judgements were unsatisfactory.
The active economic and social growth in the straits
settlement caused to system to be ineffective.
The effects of the charter was explained by Sir
Benjamin Malkin In Goods of Abdullah held that
customs of the local inhabitants were exceptions to
the application of English Law. In the instance of the
case of the Re goods of Abdullah, it was held the
customary laws of the local inhabitants was a special
case to the general application general application of
the English law
There were modifications made to the English law
from time to time. Judges announced the policy of
changing the application of English law to prevent
injustice but studies of cases has shown that there
were reluctance to accommodate the needs of the
local inhabitants. Customary rules were recognized
only if it wasn’t in line with the common law
The effects of the charter can also be seen in cases
like Rodyk v Williamson. A Dutchman left his property
after his passing and there was a debate as to which
law would be applied for the case . Finally, it was
decided that the dutch law superseded by the Chater
The courts were judged by English judges, which by
practice were only given the jurisdiction to try civil
matter. However, in practice we can see from a few
cases that English law had superseded the customary
law and had impliedly became the law of the land.
Example of another case that displays this scenario is
the case of Regina v Wilians where Sir Benson
Maxwell R ruled out that when the second charter of
justice was implemented, it was implemented into
every part of Malacca so the law of England stands in
the judgement of the cases.
In conclusion, it can be seen that the customary laws
of the local inhabitants and the Islamic law was not
followed by the British administration since the
British considered that the use of common law
applied to the states of the straits settlement.
Three settlements were incorporated into straits settlement (Penang, Singapore and Malacca). English law was introduced through the
second charter of justice which contained almost the same provisions as the first charter of justice which was stood on 27 November 1826
with a little modification to suit the local inhabitants with different race and religions and customs.

We can see from the case of Fatimah v Logan where a Muslim had passed away in Penang and he left his will before passing away so the
confusion was which law would apply to determine the validity of the will. Finally, English law had superseded Islamic law as the courts
determined that lex loci of Penang was English law.

The jurisdiction of the court Judicature of Prince of Wales Island was extended through the charter to Singapore and Malacca. The
administration of justice Straits Settlements was considered unsatisfactory.

There was only one recorder who was assisted by lay justices. He who was based in Penang and rarely visited Malacca and Singapore. Lay
judges were appointed but their judgements were unsatisfactory. The active economic and social growth in the straits settlement caused to
system to be ineffective.

The effects of the charter was explained by Sir Benjamin Malkin In Goods of Abdullah held that customs of the local inhabitants were
exceptions to the application of English Law. In the instance of the case of the Re goods of Abdullah, it was held the customary laws of the
local inhabitants was a special case to the general application general application of the English law

There were modifications made to the English law from time to time. Judges announced the policy of changing the application of English
law to prevent injustice but studies of cases has shown that there were reluctance to accommodate the needs of the local inhabitants.
Customary rules were recognized only if it wasn’t in line with the common law. 

The effects of the charter can also be seen in cases like Rodyk v Williamson. A Dutchman left his property after his passing and there was a
debate as to which law would be applied for the case . Finally, it was decided that the dutch law superseded by the Chater

The courts were judged by English judges, which by practice were only given the jurisdiction to try civil matter. However, in practice we
can see from a few cases that English law had superseded the customary law and had impliedly became the law of the land. Example of
another case that displays this scenario is the case of Regina v Wilians where Sir Benson Maxwell R ruled out that when the second charter
of justice was implemented, it was implemented into every part of Malacca so the law of England stands in the judgement of the cases.

In conclusion, it can be seen that the customary laws of the local inhabitants and the Islamic law was not followe d by the British
administration since the British considered that the use of common law applied to the states of the straits settlement.