Legislative Reform In Kuwait .. Strategic Step Toward Comprehensive Development

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, Sept 9 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait has been undergoing a comprehensive reform of legislations aimed at strengthening foundations of civilizational, economic and social development through an integrated strategic vision that boosts comprehensive growth.
The upcoming government amendments are based on a set of fundamental principles, like enhancing governance and transparency, ensuring integration and consistency of legislation, keeping pace with digital transformation, promoting values of integrity and anti-corruption, and drawing inspiration from the best Gulf, Arab and international practices.
These new legislations aim to create an integrated framework for sustainable developmental progress.
In an open meeting held last month with lawyers at the Kuwait Bar Association, Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait emphasized that there is a direct directive from the political leadership and a green light to implement a comprehensive review of the legislative system.
He announced the launch of the largest legislative development plan in Kuwait's history.
The package of laws approved by the Kuwaiti government over the past year marked the beginning of a methodical reformation of the state's legal framework to achieve Kuwait Vision 2035, and to align with international laws and agreements. Currently, legislative reviews are nearing the completion of 25 percent of the laws.
These new laws, alongside full-scale development, have produced positive economic outcomes, reflected in improved national economic indicators and optimistic growth forecasts. Notably, foreign direct investment inflows increased by 20 percent last year.
In this regard, rating agency Fitch expected Kuwait's new key legislations will enhance the growth and diversification of the banking sector, support economic expansion and reinforce government spending on major projects.
Fitch stated in a recent report that progress in reforms - particularly in diversifying financial revenues, rationalizing expenditures and reducing reliance on oil - would further support the government's budget and financial flexibility. It noted the implementation of a minimum top-up tax on multinational companies as of January, in accordance with Law 157 of 2024.
One of the most notable practical applications of legislative reform is the new traffic law, which came into effect in April.
Official statistics from the General Traffic Department show a significant decrease in traffic-related deaths and violations, underscoring the positive societal impact of these reforms.
The reforms included bills amending parts of Penal Code, parts of Code of Criminal Procedure and parts of the Civil and Commercial Procedure Law, and amending Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) and financial disclosure regulations, amending the law establishing the Administrative Disputes Circuit in the Court of First Instance and new laws regarding real estate developers and amendments to the Companies Law.
Currently, around nine committees are reviewing a set of laws, including those related to economic courts, rental systems, real estate owners' associations, criminal laws and procedures, labor law, and civil and commercial law. This is happening in parallel with ongoing coordination among various ministries and relevant entities to amend other legislations.
Within this framework, Kuwait is preparing to make a qualitative leap in family and social legislation by amending laws concerning personal status, domestic violence, juvenile justice and child protection. These changes aim to address issues identified in the practical application of existing laws and to form a legislative shield that protects families, protects women from violence and ensures justice.
The initial draft of the expected amendments to the 1984 Personal Status Law targets more than 120 articles, proposes the addition of 20 new articles, and the cancellation of 15 articles, all aiming to produce a comprehensive law that serves all parties and preserves family.
A merging of the Juvenile Law and Child Law is also planned into a unified, carefully drafted law. This includes resolving the confusion between the concepts of a "child at risk" under the Child Law and a "juvenile at risk of delinquency" under the Juvenile Law and organizing proper procedures for dealing with children in both cases.
In addition, the new Judicial Law, which has been referred to the Fatwa and Legislation Department, represents the gateway to the largest judicial system reform in Kuwait. This is part of an integrated legislative path aimed at balancing the protection of rights and freedoms with the requirements of deterrence and justice.
Furthermore, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah, in a recent meeting with the editors-in-chief of daily newspapers, revealed that the new nationality law is in its final review stage and will soon be referred to the Cabinet committee in preparation for approval.
He also indicated that a new narcotics law is expected to be out soon in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice. This law is part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle the drug issue and to eliminate its sources domestically and internationally.
The new law regulating the legal profession, currently being prepared in cooperation with the Kuwait Bar Association, will mark a major advancement in organizing the legal field, providing regulatory and protective measures for the profession.
Authorities are also reviewing comprehensive amendments to Law No. 8 of 2010 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, aiming to achieve a qualitative shift in promoting and enabling full inclusion for individuals with disabilities.
The government's legislative amendments are adopting digital transformation, particularly regarding the Power of Attorney Law and the Electronic Transactions Law, where all powers of attorney and documentation - including those related to personal status and real estate - will be transitioned to electronic formats.
A specialized committee has also prepared necessary amendments to the Expert Management Law at the Ministry of Justice, which includes electronic notifications and document submission. These are currently under review by the Fatwa and Legislation Department.
The Ministry of Justice is working with Google and Microsoft on digital transformation, aiming to deliver advanced, integrated e-services.
Kuwait also affirmed in its speech at the Human Rights Council in Geneva last May that the country was undergoing a comprehensive review of all 983 laws currently in force.
The statement noted that previous reviews resulted in a series of legal reforms, including amendments to the Nationality Law and Penal Code, expanded powers for the Anti-Corruption Authority, and greater judicial authority in prosecuting corruption crimes, along with enhanced protection of public funds. (end)
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