The Legal Forensic Model in Determining the Genuineness of Islamic Banking Documents and Their Application in Shariah Courts

Abstract

Falsification of documents does not only happen in civil courts. Shariah courts also face the same problems despite being ‘religiously’-oriented courts. It can be argued that, in the case of Malaysia, civil courts have clearer guidelines regarding the authentication of documents compared to Shariah courts. This study utilised a questionnaire survey as well as interviews in collecting data to measure the perceptions and opinions of relevant respondents with various stake holdings from those who practice law, with a Shariah and civil background. It should be noted that the key informants were comprised of forensic experts Shariah and civil practitioners. Analysis of the collected data indicates that the necessity of forming a legal forensic model is supported by the majority of the participants, which, therefore, implies that a forensic model that makes the authentication of documents more structured, clear and practical must be formed in Shariah courts. The practice of civil courts in relation to the authentication of documents should be used as a model in Shariah courts so long as they comply with the principles of Islamic law.

Keywords

• Authenticity of documentation
• Shariah Courts
• Malaysia
• Falsification
• Kitabah