INTRODUCTION The Malaysian legal system shares a substantial heritage with the common law and has England as its prototype. Some essential flavours from other Commonwealth jurisdictions, such as India are also embodied in the system. However, upon a closer examination one finds that it is not entirely English or foreign in orientation, as some local and autochthonous values are found in the system. This was further strengthened after independence by subsequent developments to the law and legal system. It may be said that the Malaysian legal system contains plural legal systems, which are formed from a mixture of the Syariah law, customs and British law. This article seeks to discuss the roots of the legal system followed by a discussion on the British influence on the legal system. The discussion includes the earlier legal system, that is the system that was prevalent before the coming of the British and the system introduced and applicable during the British administration. Following that the discussion is focused on the system that was established within the independent constitution. The development of the legal system after independence is later discussed and this is followed by the recent developments in the system. Included in the discussion are my observations and estimation on the future of the Malaysian legal system. Before a discussion of the focal issues the article begins with, a pithy discussion on the relationship between law and order. This discussion is necessary to appreciate the necessity for a legal system that is suitable and adaptable to the needs and demands of society. 3 MLJ xcif at xcir'i