The High Court in Kuala Lumpur today ordered the government and Malaysia Airlines System Bhd (MAS) to provide a general discovery document to 76 relatives of 32 passengers who were in the doomed MH370 flight that disappeared in March 2014.

This is on the grounds that the plaintiffs are entitled to the information, as they have brought suits against the government and the airline.

The decision was made by judge Azizul Azmi Adnan in chambers.

"The order of general discovery was given, and there is a time line for the government to comply (and give) all the documents that are relevant to the suit.

"The judge has fixed Oct 20 to update (the status) of compliance," said lawyer Michael Yap, who is acting on behalf of the 76 family members, when met outside the courtroom.

Lawyer Saranjit Singh, who is representing MAS, said as the plaintiffs are suing the government, they are entitled to get general discovery against MAS to assist their case against the government of Malaysia.

However, Saranjit added they needed to read and understand the grounds of judgment, and decide whether to file an appeal.

"General discovery means you have to disclose whatever is relevant to the plaintiff," he said.

Federal counsel Saiful Nizam Shahrin also appeared in court.

The 76 plaintiffs filed the lawsuit on March 7 in regard to their missing relatives who were aboard Flight MH370, which was heading to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2014, when it disappeared without trace.

The plaintiffs, comprising 66 Chinese nationals, eight Indian nationals and two American citizens, named MAS, the Civil Aviation Department director-general, the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Malaysian government as defendants.

The court also fixed Nov 3 for case management for all the 28 suits brought by the passengers on board Flight MH370.

In their statement of claim, they alleged that the disappearance of Flight MH370 and death of the 239 passengers and crew were due to negligence on the part of MAS.

They alleged that MAS had breached the contract of carriage it entered with passengers, that it would be responsible for the airworthiness of the aircraft and safety of the passengers on board.