Kuwait Cabinet Approves Major Judicial, Economic Court and Nationality Law Reforms

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 18: Kuwait’s Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, approved a series of draft decree-laws Tuesday aimed at modernizing the judiciary, establishing economic courts and amending provisions of the Kuwaiti Nationality Law.

The Cabinet approved a draft decree-law on the organization of the judiciary, focusing on updating rules governing the selection, appointment and promotion of judges, while strengthening the powers and regulatory framework of the Supreme Judicial Council.

The reforms also seek to strengthen judicial inspection, accountability and disciplinary procedures, enhance the rights of litigants and develop the powers of the Public Prosecution, including its role in monitoring places of detention.

The draft law would also establish a mechanism to unify judicial principles of the Court of Cassation to promote consistency in rulings and stability of legal principles. It includes provisions for electronic trials and judicial procedures to keep pace with technological developments.

The Cabinet also approved a draft decree-law establishing economic courts. The proposed system aims to accelerate the resolution of economic disputes while maintaining defendants’ rights and guarantees of due process.

The proposed economic court system would include specialized judges, experts and an execution judge. Litigation procedures would also be streamlined through shorter procedural deadlines, faster case preparation and electronic notification and document exchange, alongside remote litigation.

Separately, the Cabinet approved a draft decree-law amending certain provisions of the Kuwaiti Nationality Law. Under the proposed amendments, individuals who acquire Kuwaiti citizenship through naturalization would not be entitled to vote, run for office or be appointed to any parliamentary body.

The amendments would also provide for the issuance of electronic Kuwaiti nationality certificates after verification of citizenship. The electronic certificate would have the same legal validity and effect as the existing paper certificate.

Another amendment concerns cases where a person intentionally adds someone who is not a child or descendant to a nationality file. If this is established through an investigation by the Supreme Committee for Kuwaiti Nationality Verification or by a final court ruling, the nationality of children or descendants could be revoked if it is proven they were aware of the act.

The Cabinet submitted the judicial, economic court and nationality-related draft decree-laws to the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for consideration.

The Cabinet also reviewed the latest developments concerning the third phase of Martyr’s Park, which is scheduled to open to visitors on October 1.

The project covers approximately 243,605 square metres, including 203,162 square metres of built-up area and 190,661 square metres of green space. It will include a Roman-style theatre, open-air cinema, multipurpose hall, health club, cafes, shops, museum, ice-skating rink, snow park, electric go-kart track and zip line.

Outdoor facilities will include a mosque, open-air theatre, games, running track and fountains, while parking facilities will accommodate 2,388 vehicles. A carnival featuring musical performances, light shows and family and children’s activities is also planned to mark the opening