Kuwait Introduces Compulsory Biometric Attendance for Justice Ministry Experts

The Kuwait Ministry of Justice has made fingerprint attendance mandatory for all experts working under the General Department of Experts from June 1, 2026, as part of a broader push to improve institutional discipline and judicial efficiency.

The decision was issued through a ministerial decree by Nasser Al-Sumait, who said the move forms part of a wider administrative reform programme designed to regulate attendance and departure timings and ensure compliance with official working hours.

According to the ministry, the biometric attendance system is expected to improve workflow efficiency, speed up the preparation of technical reports and enhance services provided to litigants and lawyers.

All experts covered under the decree have been instructed to complete fingerprint registration procedures with the Administrative Affairs Department before the system comes into effect on June 1.

The ministry also said direct supervisors would be responsible for monitoring attendance compliance and reporting violations to the Administrative Affairs Department for action under existing regulations.

Officials stressed that regular attendance by experts plays a critical role in ensuring faster preparation of technical reports and the smooth functioning of the judicial process, noting that the General Department of Experts serves as a key technical support body within Kuwait’s justice system.

The attendance reform follows a wider restructuring plan announced by Al-Sumait on May 9 for the General Department of Experts. The plan includes the full Kuwaitization of the department by August 1, 2026, through the replacement of non-Kuwaiti employees working in engineering, accounting and legal research roles.