ENACTMENT NO. 3 OF 1964 ADMINISTRATION OF MUSLIM LAW ENACTMENT, 1963
PART IV - KATHI'S COURTS
Section 11. Kathi's Courts.
(1) The Ruler may, if he thinks fit, by order, constitute so many courts and assign local limits of jurisdiction thereto.
(2) Any Court established under this section shall have jurisdiction over any civil or criminal matter hereinafter specified, arising within the area specified for such court under the order establishing the Court or, if there is no such area specified, within the State.
(3) Save in exceptional circumstances, proceedings in respect of an area shall be held at the Court set up under section 11for that area.
(4) A Court when presided over by a Kathi shall be competent-
(a) in its criminal jurisdiction, to try any offence under this Enactment committed by a person professing the Muslim Religion;
(b) in its civil jurisdiction, to hear and determine such actions and proceedings, between persons professing the Muslim Religion, as relates to-
(i) bethrothal, marriage, divorce, nullity of marriage or judicial separation;
(ii) disposition of, or claim to, property arising out of any of the matters specified in sub-paragraph (i);
(iii) maintenance of dependents, legitimacy, guardianship or custody of infants;
(iv) divisions of, or claims to, sapencharian property;
(v) apportionment of estates of deceased persons, who professed the Muslim Religion;
(vi) wills or death-bed gifts of deceased persons, who professed the Muslim Religion;
(vii) gifts inter vives or settlements made without consideration in money or money's worth by a person professing the Muslim Religion;
(viii) wakaf or nazar;
(ix) other matters, in respect of which jurisdiction is conferred by a written law.
(5) A Court when presided over by an Assistant Kathi shall be competent-
(a) in its criminal jurisdiction, to try any offence under this Enactment committed by a person professing the Muslim Religion, the maximum punishment for which is imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding six hundred dollars, or both;
(b) in its civil jurisdiction, to hear and determine all such actions and proceedings as a court presided by a Kathi is under sub-section (2) competent to hear and determine, in which the value of the subject matter of such actions or proceedings does not exceed five thousand dollars or is not capable of estimation in terms of money.
(6) Save in exceptional circumstances, a court presided by a Kathi shall not try any offence, or hear or determine any action or proceedings, which a court presided by an Assistant Kathi is by virtue of sub-section (4) competent to try, hear or determine.