GCC

The Dubai Judicial Institute (DJI), in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the GCC, has launched the second edition of the Contemporary Legal and Judicial Challenges Forum under the theme “Combating Electronic Financial Fraud”.

The forum forms part of DJI’s efforts to strengthen the preparedness of the judicial and legal ecosystem to address rapidly evolving challenges in the digital environment. It brought together senior representatives from judicial and legal institutions, specialised authorities, and financial and digital sectors to examine emerging risks and strengthen cooperation.

The event was attended by Her Excellency Judge Dr Ebtessam Ali Al Badwawi, Director General of DJI, and His Excellency Judge Dr Hatem Aly, Head of Mission and Regional Representative of UNODC for the GCC Region, along with senior representatives of legal and judicial bodies and specialised authorities across the UAE.

The forum provided a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange, combining judicial expertise, legal analysis, technical insights and international cooperation to examine contemporary challenges linked to electronic financial fraud. It also highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts to protect the integrity of financial systems and uphold the rule of law in the digital age.

Strengthening Judicial Preparedness

Judge Dr Ebtessam Ali Al Badwawi said the second edition reflected DJI’s commitment to raising judicial and legal awareness of emerging challenges, particularly electronic financial fraud, which has become a significant legal and economic threat at both national and international levels.

She said the forum seeks to deepen understanding of such crimes, examine international best practices and strengthen cooperation between judicial institutions and international organisations. Such efforts, she added, support the development of the justice system and Dubai’s vision of creating a resilient and future-ready legal environment.

Al Badwawi said tackling electronic financial fraud requires more than legislative frameworks. It also depends on stronger institutional preparedness, effective investigative and evidentiary tools, improved procedures for handling digital evidence and enhanced international judicial cooperation in addressing transnational crime.

The forum therefore brought together judicial, legal, security, regulatory, financial and digital stakeholders with international specialists to examine practical approaches to combating these offences.

Addressing Cross-Border Threats

Judge Dr Hatem Aly said the forum’s organisation in partnership with DJI was strategically important in addressing contemporary legal and judicial challenges. He noted that UNODC serves as the secretariat of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.

He highlighted the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the expansion of instant payment networks and the difficulties involved in cross-border prosecution as among the key challenges facing efforts to combat electronic financial fraud.

According to Aly, such offences have evolved from isolated activities into increasingly organised networks that exploit technological developments, including social engineering, cryptocurrencies and digital identity fraud, to develop sophisticated methods of deception.

He said the partnership seeks to facilitate knowledge-sharing and familiarise the judicial and legal ecosystem, financial and banking institutions, digital-sector organisations and other relevant stakeholders with regional and international methods and best practices for addressing these risks.

Examining Emerging Fraud Risks

The forum brought together members of the judiciary, justice policymakers and representatives of financial, banking and digital institutions to strengthen their capacity to develop effective legal responses to emerging challenges.

Discussions focused on the legal dimensions of electronic financial fraud, the challenges facing judicial authorities and financial institutions, and international experiences and best practices in combating such offences.

Sessions examined the evolving nature of cyber-enabled financial fraud, including the technical and digital complexities involved, the importance of international judicial cooperation in tackling cross-border crime, and the UAE’s national framework for combating such offences.

The sessions were led by national and international experts and drew participation from local and federal judicial authorities, financial and digital-sector institutions and banks operating across the UAE.

The broad participation underscored the importance of coordinated action among the justice system, regulatory authorities and financial institutions in responding to emerging legal and technological challenges.

Through the second edition of the forum, DJI reaffirmed its commitment to specialised knowledge initiatives aimed at promoting legal and judicial excellence and strengthening international cooperation.

The institute said such efforts support the development of an agile justice system capable of responding to evolving challenges and contribute to Dubai’s vision of strengthening its position as a global centre for specialised legal and judicial development.

Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has proposed fines of up to SR50,000 for violations involving real estate transaction tax, including providing inaccurate information about property transactions.

The authority has invited public comments on a draft regulation titled “Classification of Violations and Penalties for Real Estate Transaction Tax”. The consultation on Article 15, Paragraph 3, is being conducted through the Istitlaa public consultation platform from September 3 to October 3.

Under the proposed regulation, anyone who violates a provision of the Real Estate Transaction Tax Law or its implementing regulations could face a fine of up to the amount of tax due or SR50,000, whichever is higher.

ZATCA said the draft is intended to classify violations and corresponding penalties related to real estate transaction tax, while improving governance, standardising enforcement procedures and increasing clarity and transparency for parties involved in property transactions.

Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Transaction Tax is currently imposed at a rate of 5% on qualifying real estate transactions. The current law came into force on April 10, 2025.

The proposed penalties cover several forms of non-compliance. Failure to register a real estate transaction could attract a fine ranging from SR5,000 to SR50,000.

A similar fine range would apply to failure to retain the required tax documents and records within the legally prescribed periods.

Failure to co-operate with ZATCA during inspection procedures or to provide information requested by the authority could result in a fine ranging from SR1,000 to SR50,000.

The draft also covers cases where taxpayers prevent ZATCA employees from carrying out inspections. This includes refusing access to books, records, invoices or accounting documents, or preventing officials from making or retaining copies of documents required for inspection.

Such violations could also attract fines ranging from SR1,000 to SR50,000.

The draft further proposes fines of between SR1,000 and SR50,000 for violations of provisions contained in the implementing regulations or related bylaws.

ZATCA’s existing guidance states that providing incorrect information about the value of a real estate transaction, where this results in the non-payment or underpayment of tax, may be treated as a tax-evasion violation. The penalty under the existing framework can range from the amount of tax due to three times that amount.

The proposed classification would therefore provide a more detailed framework for determining penalties for different types of non-compliance with the real estate transaction tax regime.

The Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs has signed an agreement with Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) to develop an integrated digital platform for training and qualifying lawyers and legal advisors in Oman.

The platform, called “Itqan”, is designed to improve professional efficiency and enhance the quality of legal services in the Sultanate.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry by Dr Yahya Nasser Al Khusaibi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, and on behalf of Omantel by Eng Sami Ahmed Al Ghassani, Chief Commercial and Operational Officer.

Itqan will move legal training into a modern digital environment, allowing training programmes and professional development pathways to be delivered more efficiently and flexibly. It will also help standardise training and assessment criteria and make programmes accessible to beneficiaries across Oman’s governorates.

The platform will enable the authorities to monitor trainees’ performance and assess their progress against targeted educational and professional outcomes.

Itqan will offer specialised digital content combining legal knowledge, professional skills and practical applications. The programmes will cover areas including national legislation, professional ethics, legal research and drafting, pleading and legal consultation, as well as other aspects of legal practice.

The content will be tailored to the different needs and professional levels of those undergoing training. Training materials and programmes will also go through review and accreditation processes to ensure their legal accuracy and scientific and technical quality.

The initiative will draw on national and specialised expertise in the development and delivery of training content. It is also expected to contribute to the creation of a digital legal library that can be continuously updated in line with legislative changes and developments in professional practice.

Al Khusaibi said Itqan represented an important step in implementing the requirements for training and qualifying legal practitioners.

He said the initiative reflected the Ministry’s commitment to developing legal professionals with the knowledge, competence and professional skills required under clear and sustainable standards.

The platform is also intended to establish a sustainable system for professional development in the legal sector, keeping practitioners abreast of legislative and professional changes, he said. This would strengthen their preparedness and improve professional performance, ultimately contributing to higher standards of legal practice in Oman.

Al Ghassani, Chief Technology and Digitalisation Officer at Omantel, highlighted the role of Itqan in using modern technology to support legal training and advance digital transformation in the justice sector.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has warned individual employers that allowing their workers to take jobs with other employers or work independently could result in imprisonment, a fine of up to SR100,000 and a ban on recruiting workers for up to five years.

Under the regulations, employers found allowing such violations could face a prison sentence of up to six months, in addition to the financial penalty and restrictions on recruiting new workers.

The warning forms part of the Kingdom’s ongoing enforcement of residency, labour and border security regulations, which prohibit workers from taking employment outside the arrangements under which they were legally recruited.

The ministry urged both employers and workers to comply fully with the relevant regulations and warned against practices that breach the Kingdom’s residency and labour rules.

Authorities also called on members of the public to report violations to help strengthen compliance and enforcement.

Reports can be made by calling 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, while 999 is available for reporting violations in other parts of Saudi Arabia.

Oman has enacted a new Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances under Royal Decree No. 67/2026, introducing tougher penalties for drug trafficking, smuggling, possession and personal use, including the death penalty and life imprisonment in certain circumstances.

Under the new law, importing, exporting, producing or manufacturing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances for trafficking purposes is punishable by imprisonment and a fine of between RO 35,000 and RO 60,000.

The death penalty applies to drug smuggling for trafficking purposes in specified aggravated circumstances. These include repeat offences, abuse of official authority, licences or legal immunity, using a person who lacks legal capacity or has diminished capacity, and participating in or cooperating with international gangs involved in drug smuggling.

The law also imposes a minimum prison sentence of 15 years, along with a fine of between RO 10,000 and RO 25,000, for possessing, transporting, selling, delivering or distributing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances for trafficking purposes.

The sentence may be increased to life imprisonment when such offences are committed in or around certain protected locations, including educational, cultural and sports facilities, correctional institutions, places of worship, camps and prisons. The harsher penalty may also apply when drugs are supplied to a person who lacks legal capacity or has diminished capacity.

For personal use, anyone who possesses, acquires, purchases, produces or manufactures narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances for consumption faces imprisonment of between one and three years and a fine ranging from RO 1,000 to RO 5,000.

The legislation also provides treatment and rehabilitation options for people suffering from drug dependency. Courts may order such individuals to be placed in rehabilitation centres or specialised treatment facilities instead of imposing imprisonment, subject to the conditions set out in the law. Admission to a rehabilitation centre may last between six months and one year.

The law further provides that criminal charges will not be established against a drug user who voluntarily approaches the authorities seeking treatment, or who is referred for treatment by a qualifying relative.

The new legislation repeals the previous Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances issued under Royal Decree No. 17/99. It entered into force following its publication in the Official Gazette.

The Kuwait Public Prosecution has referred 71 defendants to court over a major corruption case involving agricultural land allocated by the government to citizens, authorities said.

Following lengthy investigations, the prosecution said it had uncovered the misappropriation of around KD8.66 million in public funds, along with allegations of money laundering and other offences.

The investigation established that the defendants were allegedly involved in a range of corruption-related crimes, including bribery, deliberate damage to public funds, forgery of official documents, money laundering and unlawful financial gain, the prosecution said.

The 71 defendants include officials holding senior and supervisory positions, as well as other public-sector employees. The case also involves 28 private-sector legal entities, according to a prosecution statement.

The investigation was based on reports received from the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) and the Financial Intelligence Unit, the statement said.

The alleged offences relate to agricultural land parcels distributed by the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources.

In a separate enforcement action, environment police said they had issued 30 citations to smokers for violating the law and another citation to a shop for allowing smoking violations on its premises.

The smokers were caught smoking in enclosed or semi-enclosed areas of Souq Mubarakiya. Each was fined between KD50 and KD100, while the shop faces a fine ranging from KD1,000 to KD5,000.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Department said trucks will be prohibited from using roads during specified daytime periods starting September 1.

Under the restriction, trucks will be barred from driving between 6.30am and 9am and from 12.30pm to 3.30pm each day. The daytime ban will remain in force until June 14 next year.

From June 15 to August 31, 2027, the restriction will apply only during the evening period, the department said.

Employers in Qatar should prepare for a more regulated and actively enforced employment landscape following recent amendments to the country’s labour laws.

Employers face a significantly more robust compliance environment following the introduction of Law No. 9 of 2026, which came into force on June 25 and amends key provisions of Qatar’s existing labour legislation.

The amendments go beyond technical changes to the law and signal a broader policy shift towards stronger labour market oversight, greater workforce formalisation and increased use of regulatory tools by the Ministry of Labour.

The reforms affect almost every stage of the employment lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to dispute resolution, employee representation and post-termination restrictions.

While several aspects of the reforms have yet to be implemented, the direction of travel is clear. Employers operating in Qatar should begin reviewing their employment practices now rather than waiting for further guidance.

Stronger Enforcement and Wage Protection

One of the most significant developments is the expansion of the Ministry of Labour’s enforcement powers.

Historically, labour law compliance in Qatar has been enforced primarily through administrative sanctions and dispute resolution procedures. The amendments introduce a broader range of enforcement tools, including the ability to suspend some or all ministry services available to non-compliant establishments.

In certain cases, particularly those involving repeated violations or wage-payment issues, the consequences may extend beyond the offending entity and affect related businesses. Public naming of violators and additional financial penalties also form part of the revised enforcement framework.

These changes are particularly significant in the context of wage protection. They reinforce the government’s continued focus on ensuring the timely payment of salaries and may increase operational and reputational risks for employers that fail to meet wage-related obligations.

The potential extension of sanctions beyond a single legal entity will also be significant for multinational businesses operating through group structures in Qatar. Employers may therefore need to consider whether compliance failures within one entity could have wider implications for related businesses.

A Statutory Framework for Modern Working

The amendments also represent an important legislative response to evolving models of work. The revised exclusions provision expressly identifies part-time and freelance workers as categories falling outside the Labour Law’s default scope. However, the Council of Ministers retains the power to extend some or all labour protections to these workers or establish a separate regulatory regime for them.

Although the practical implications will depend on future implementing measures, the reform establishes a statutory basis for regulating non-traditional working arrangements. This is particularly relevant for businesses operating platform-based, delivery, gig-economy or flexible workforce models.

As Qatar’s economy continues to diversify, employers can expect greater regulatory attention on alternative forms of employment that have traditionally fallen outside conventional labour frameworks.

For businesses relying on freelance talent, independent contractors or platform-based operating models, the amendments should therefore be viewed not simply as an exclusion from the Labour Law, but as a potential precursor to future regulation.

Recruitment and Labour Market Oversight

Recruitment activity is also expected to come under greater regulatory scrutiny. The amendments strengthen licensing and compliance obligations applicable to recruitment activities and give the Ministry broader enforcement powers in relation to recruitment agencies and labour supply operations. Public disclosure of violations and enhanced financial sanctions signal a move towards more active supervision of labour market intermediaries.

For employers that rely heavily on outsourced recruitment channels, labour suppliers or overseas hiring programmes, due diligence on recruitment practices is likely to become increasingly important.

Businesses should also monitor future implementing regulations closely as greater detail emerges on licensing requirements, compliance standards and enforcement procedures. Employers may need to reassess their relationships with recruitment agencies and labour suppliers to ensure that third-party practices do not expose them to regulatory or reputational risks.

Digitalising Employment Dispute Resolution

Another notable feature of the reforms is the continued digitalisation of employment dispute resolution.

The amendments are intended to streamline labour dispute procedures, facilitate amicable settlement discussions and enable labour dispute committees to conduct proceedings electronically. Committee decisions are also expected to have greater practical enforceability.

The shift reflects a broader regional trend towards technology-enabled justice and administrative efficiency. In practical terms, employers may face faster dispute resolution processes and should place greater emphasis on maintaining comprehensive electronic employment records, documenting workplace decisions and developing early-stage dispute management strategies.

As proceedings become increasingly digitised, the quality, consistency and accessibility of documentary evidence may have a greater influence on outcomes. Employers should therefore ensure that contracts, salary records, disciplinary correspondence, HR decisions and other employment documentation are properly maintained and readily accessible.

Employee Participation and Workforce Certification

The amendments also strengthen employee representation by making joint employer-worker committees mandatory for larger establishments.

Companies employing 100 or more workers must establish committees comprising representatives of both management and employees. These committees are intended to promote workplace dialogue and assist in addressing operational and employment-related issues.

For many organisations, this will represent a significant governance change. Employers will need to consider committee structures, voting procedures, representation criteria, escalation mechanisms and the interaction between these committees and existing HR functions.

Rather than relying solely on informal consultation practices, larger employers may now require a more structured framework for employee engagement and workplace communication.

The reforms also support Qatar’s workforce development objectives through new certification requirements.

A new provision requires workers in designated professions to obtain approved training and pass examinations through Ministry-accredited training centres before commencing employment. The Ministry is expected to publish a list of affected occupations and issue supplementary guidance on implementation.

Although the full scope of the requirement remains unclear, the measure aligns with the government’s broader emphasis on skills development, professional competency and labour market localisation. Employers operating in technical, specialised or regulated sectors should monitor forthcoming announcements carefully to determine whether any of their workforce categories will be affected.

Non-Compete Restrictions and Industrial Action

The amendments also revisit two areas that have traditionally attracted considerable employer interest: non-compete restrictions and industrial action.

The maximum duration of post-termination non-compete obligations has increased from one year to two years. This could strengthen employers’ ability to protect confidential information, trade secrets and customer relationships.

However, enforcement will be subject to Ministry approval, suggesting that greater scrutiny may be applied to the reasonableness and necessity of restrictive covenants. Employers should therefore ensure that non-compete provisions are appropriately drafted, proportionate and supported by legitimate business interests.

At the same time, the legislation introduces a new ground for dismissal where a worker unlawfully incites other employees to strike and disruption results.

The amendment forms part of a broader package regulating collective labour action and appears intended to balance employee representation rights with business continuity concerns. Employers will nevertheless need to exercise caution when responding to industrial action and ensure that any disciplinary measures comply with the applicable legal requirements.

What Employers Should Do Now

While many of the headline reforms are already in force, several areas will depend on future ministerial decisions and implementing regulations. Further clarification is required in relation to part-time and freelance work, vocational certification requirements, recruitment controls and aspects of labour enforcement.

Nevertheless, the reforms provide a clear indication of Qatar’s policy priorities. Enhanced enforcement, increased workforce regulation, formal employee participation mechanisms and greater digitalisation of employment processes all point towards a more mature and structured labour market framework.

For employers, the message is clear: do not wait for enforcement to become the trigger for compliance reviews.

Businesses should begin by reviewing employment contracts, wage-payment procedures, recruitment arrangements, HR policies, non-compete provisions and employee grievance mechanisms. Larger organisations should also assess whether they are required to establish employer-worker committees and whether their internal governance structures are equipped to support them.

Employers using freelance, part-time or platform-based workers should monitor forthcoming regulations closely and consider whether their existing contractual arrangements may be affected by future changes.

Compliance will increasingly extend beyond ensuring that employment contracts meet statutory requirements. Businesses will be expected to demonstrate robust governance, sound workforce management practices and proactive engagement with an evolving regulatory environment.

Qatar’s latest labour reforms therefore mark more than a series of amendments to existing legislation. They signal the development of a more structured, technology-enabled and actively supervised employment market, making labour law compliance an increasingly important part of corporate risk management.

A Muscat event management company has been fined RO300 after failing to provide an agreed wedding catering service, in a case that highlights suppliers’ obligations under Oman’s consumer protection laws.

The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) in Muscat received a complaint from a consumer who had contracted the company to provide a buffet service for a wedding. The agreed package included main dishes, appetisers, beverages and the necessary service supplies, for a specified price against an advance payment.

However, the company failed to provide the catering service on the agreed date. Following the complaint, the matter was referred for legal action and the establishment was found guilty of failing to provide the contracted service properly and in a manner consistent with its nature.

The court imposed a fine of RO300 on the establishment, with execution of the penalty suspended, and ordered it to bear the legal costs.

Consumer Protection Obligations

The ruling reflects provisions of Oman’s Consumer Protection Law, issued under Royal Decree No. 66/2014, which require suppliers to provide services properly and in accordance with their nature. The law and its executive regulations also prohibit suppliers from failing to perform an agreed service or complete it within the specified period.

The rules are particularly relevant to services arranged for fixed dates, such as weddings and other events, where failure to perform on time can effectively deprive a consumer of the benefit of the service. The executive regulations expressly identify failure to provide an agreed service on its due date as a prohibited practice.

CPA Steps Up Enforcement

The case forms part of wider enforcement by the CPA against businesses that fail to honour contractual commitments. In March 2026, a Muscat court fined a commercial establishment RO300 for failing to provide an agreed service properly. The case was referred to the Public Prosecution after the authority investigated the consumer’s complaint.

In another Muscat case, a court imposed a RO500 fine on an establishment and its representative after finding that contracted work had not been delivered properly and did not conform to the agreed requirements. The CPA said such cases underline suppliers’ obligation to comply with contracts and provide services in accordance with agreed standards and deadlines.

Importance of Written Agreements

The CPA has repeatedly urged consumers to document transactions through clear written contracts, particularly where services involve advance payments, delivery deadlines or specific requirements. Written agreements can help establish the scope of the service, the price agreed, the payment made and the deadline for performance if a dispute arises.

For service providers, the rulings also serve as a reminder that accepting an advance payment does not remove their obligation to fulfil the agreed terms. Failure to deliver a contracted service can result in regulatory action and prosecution, with penalties depending on the circumstances of the violation.

The Kuwaiti Cabinet has approved a package of draft legislative amendments covering nationality, the organisation of the judiciary, economic courts and the ranks of judges and Public Prosecution members, as part of efforts to modernise the legal framework and improve the efficiency of the justice system.

The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah. The Cabinet also approved arrangements for the opening of several new health projects in Kuwait, with the Prime Minister assigned to attend the ceremonies as the representative of the Amir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Changes to the Nationality Law

The Cabinet approved a draft decree-law amending provisions of Amiri Decree No. 15 of 1959 concerning the Kuwaiti Nationality Law and referred it to the Amir for approval.

Under the proposed amendment to Article 14, nationality may be revoked from the children or descendants of a person who deliberately adds to his or another person's nationality file an individual who is not his child or descendant, where the matter is established through an investigation by the Supreme Committee for Investigating Kuwaiti Nationality or by a final court judgment.

The provision would apply where it is also established that the affected children or descendants were aware of the unlawful addition.

The Cabinet also approved an amendment replacing Article 19. Under the revised provision, the Minister of Interior would issue every Kuwaiti citizen with a certificate of Kuwaiti citizenship after verifying its validity in accordance with the law.

The certificate would be issued electronically, with the Minister empowered to establish the technical and technological requirements governing its issuance, storage and use, together with procedures for verifying its authenticity and cancelling or suspending its use.

The electronic citizenship certificate would have the same legal validity and effect as the existing paper certificate and would replace it for the purposes of applicable laws, decrees and regulations.

Another amendment would add a new paragraph to Article 7, providing that individuals who acquire Kuwaiti nationality through naturalisation would not be entitled to vote, stand for election or be appointed to any parliamentary body.

Reorganising the Judiciary

The Cabinet also approved a draft decree-law on the organisation of the judiciary, aimed at developing the judicial system, improving the efficiency of judicial work and strengthening safeguards for judicial independence and integrity.

The proposed legislation would update the rules governing the selection, appointment and promotion of members of the judiciary, while expanding and refining the powers of the Supreme Judicial Council and the rules governing its operations.

It would also strengthen mechanisms for judicial inspection, accountability and disciplinary action, while enhancing litigation guarantees and the rights of parties before the courts.

The draft law further updates the provisions governing the powers and functions of the Public Prosecution.

Among the proposed changes is a stronger role for the Public Prosecution in monitoring places of detention. The legislation would also introduce an integrated mechanism for unifying judicial principles established by the Court of Cassation, with the aim of promoting greater consistency and stability in the interpretation and application of the law.

The draft also provides for the regulation of trials and judicial procedures conducted electronically, reflecting technological developments and the growing use of digital systems in the administration of justice.

The Cabinet referred the draft decree-law on the organisation of the judiciary to the Amir.

It also approved a draft decree replacing the table attached to Decree No. 126 of 2018, which sets out the minimum periods judges and members of the Public Prosecution must serve in their respective ranks. The draft decree was likewise submitted to the Amir.

Economic Courts to Accelerate Dispute Resolution

In a separate move, the Cabinet approved a draft decree-law establishing specialised economic courts, seeking to bring Kuwait's dispute-resolution framework closer to modern regional and international practices and make greater use of technology in judicial proceedings.

The proposed legislation is designed to balance litigants' right to a full defence with the need to resolve economic and commercial disputes more quickly.

Under the draft, an economic judicial circuit and a designated judge would be assigned to hear cases falling within its jurisdiction. The allocation would also extend to the expert appointed to examine disputes before the court and the execution judge responsible for enforcing its judgments.

The proposed framework would streamline litigation by shortening certain procedural deadlines and introducing measures to prepare cases before they are referred to the competent judicial department.

It would also provide for earlier notification of litigants and allow parties to exchange pleadings, memoranda and supporting documents in advance, potentially reducing delays once proceedings formally begin.

Remote litigation would be activated as part of the proposed system, while safeguards would be maintained to protect the principle of confrontation between the parties and the right to defence.

The draft legislation also seeks to provide greater flexibility in the legal framework governing economic litigation, with the Cabinet identifying excessive rigidity in existing legislation as one of the shortcomings that the reforms are intended to address.

The Cabinet referred the draft decree-law establishing economic courts to the Amir for consideration and approval.

Oman’s Public Prosecution has warned parents about the growing risks children face online, including being groomed through electronic games and social media before being exposed to crimes such as kidnapping, trafficking and sexual abuse.

Speaking to Oman Radio, Dr Hussain bin Ali Al Senani, Assistant Public Prosecutor, highlighted the dangers of online grooming and urged parents to closely monitor their children’s use of electronic games and social media platforms.

Al Senani said the Public Prosecution has established a specialised team to deal with cybercrime cases, recognising that digital offences differ from traditional crimes in their nature, methods of commission, analysis and investigation.

He stressed that parents have a central role in protecting children by maintaining regular oversight of their online activities, building trust and helping them understand the risks associated with the digital environment.

Parents should monitor their children’s internet use, understand who they interact with online and teach them not to disclose personal information or respond to requests from strangers, he said.

According to Al Senani, offenders may use digital platforms to establish contact with children and gradually build trust before attempting to lure them into dangerous situations.

He also noted that Omani law provides for tougher penalties where the victim is a child, reflecting efforts to strengthen legal protection for minors and combat offences targeting them.

Cybercrime Risks

Al Senani warned that electronic platforms can also be misused to promote or publish content that conflicts with Oman’s values and traditions.

He said Oman’s Cybercrime Law was introduced to address such violations and regulate offences committed through electronic means. Unlike many traditional crimes, he noted, digital offences can spread rapidly and reach a much wider audience, making their impact more difficult to contain.

He referred to the circulation of malicious rumours during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of how quickly misleading information can spread online and how challenging it can be to limit its consequences once content reaches a large audience.

Combating cybercrime therefore requires greater public awareness and responsible use of digital platforms, alongside specialised legislation and investigative mechanisms capable of responding to evolving forms of cybercrime, Al Senani said.

Warning Over Photographs

Al Senani also cautioned members of the public against photographing people in public places without their permission, particularly when they are accompanied by family members.

He stressed that photographing individuals without their consent may constitute a violation of the law and urged the public to respect privacy when taking, using or sharing photographs and other personal images.

Legal responsibility may also extend beyond the person who originally captured a photograph or video, he warned. Individuals who subsequently repost or circulate images or videos of people without their consent may also face legal consequences.

Al Senani urged the public to think carefully before sharing or reposting material containing photographs or videos of other people, particularly where the content was recorded without their knowledge or permission.