Kuwait Moves to Digitise Justice System With Electronic Penal Order System

Kuwait’s Ministry of Justice announced that a draft decree-law amending provisions of the Criminal Procedures Law to introduce an electronic Penal Order System marks a major step towards transitioning to electronic justice. The Cabinet approved the draft during its weekly meeting.

The new system will enable courts to issue rulings in minor cases -- such as misdemeanours and violations -- entirely through digital means, from receiving requests to deliberations and issuing rulings. The reform is expected to significantly speed up case adjudication and reduce burdens on courts and litigants.

According to the Ministry, a penal order is a judicial decision imposing fines without the need for a public trial or witness hearings, based solely on the study of case documents. Judges will issue summary rulings without holding traditional trial sessions, eliminating the need to handle approximately six million accumulated paper files, many of which have become outdated over the years.

Described as a qualitative shift towards a fully integrated electronic judicial system, the draft decree aims to accelerate justice, reduce paperwork, and optimise judicial resources. It also mandates full electronic documentation of penal orders, enhancing transparency and minimising errors or delays.

The decree brings Kuwait in line with global trends in digital judicial systems and includes provisions for managing illegally seized items, specifying storage durations and the authorities responsible for their destruction if no longer required for investigations or rulings.

The Cabinet’s approval of the draft law amending the Criminal Procedures and Trials Law No. 17 of 1960 underscores Kuwait’s commitment to judicial modernisation and digital transformation.

For any enquiries please fill out this form, or contact info@thelawreporters.com and  Follow  The Law Reporters on WhatsApp Channels