Melaka fell under the British rule between 1795 and 1818. During this period, there were no significant changes in the administration and judicial systems. However, Governor William Farquhar destroyed a major part of the Kota Melaka (Melaka Fort), which incurred massive cost. Abdullah Munsyi recorded the incident with utmost sadness.

Based on the British Dutch Treaty in 1824, Melaka was formally placed under the British jurisdiction, in exchanged with Bengkulin which was returned to the Dutch. Pulau Pinang, Melaka and Singapore were later placed under the administration of the Straits Settlement.

The justice system and law were revamped and unified through a Royal Justice Charter. The British administrators in Melaka undertook the task of land reclamation to expedite infrastructure buildup and economic growth of Melaka.

Following the success in the Naning War, the British undertook tin ore production until 1862. Even though the administration of the Straits Settlement was placed under the authority of the Colonial Office in London in 1867, Melaka was saddled with a huge financial deficit. Mining, tapioca farming and rubber estates played a major part in the growth of Melaka.

In 1931, there were around 496 Europeans in Melaka, inclusive of a small number of British Administration officials.