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The decree-law sets up specialized economic departments at the Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal and Court of Cassation, each supported by a dedicated technical office, according to a report published by Times Kuwait. These circuits will hold exclusive jurisdiction over disputes involving banks, financial markets, companies, investment funds, competition, trademarks, patents and major commercial contracts. Labor and criminal cases remain outside the new framework, the publication added.
Justice Minister Nasser Al-Sumait described the legislation as a qualitative leap in the economic justice system that will expedite business disputes, develop enforcement procedures and expand electronic litigation. The law introduces a mandatory settlement and reconciliation track before cases reach the courtroom, with proceedings limited to an initial 15 days that can extend by agreement up to three months. A case-preparation office will ensure complete documentation prior to hearings, regulating procedural and appeal deadlines to reduce delays.
An electronic platform will serve as the default for litigation and enforcement, maintaining a database of published judgments and judicial principles, Kuwait Times reported on September 20. A specialized enforcement department will connect electronically with relevant authorities, implementing updated seizure rules and electronic auctions for judgments. The framework also allows enforcement of foreign court rulings, providing additional assurances to international investors.
Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Director General Rabah Al-Rabah told KUNA that developing economic justice through swift dispute resolution and effective enforcement mechanisms is essential to building investor confidence. Abdullah Al-Mulla, head of the Exchange Companies Union, stated that specialized judges equipped to manage complex financial cases would address longstanding delays in economic litigation. Former Commerce Minister Fahd Al-Shuraian noted that while economic litigation already exists, the new organizational structure will deliver a stronger framework for accelerating commercial and investment matters.
The reform aligns with Kuwait Vision 2035 by improving the business environment and returning capital tied up in prolonged disputes to productive economic activity more quickly, specialists told the news agency. A related Decree-Law 91 of 2026 transfers non-criminal capital markets disputes to the new economic circuits, effectively abolishing the separate Capital Markets Court for those cases once the system launches. Pending matters already registered with the Capital Markets Court will continue under its jurisdiction until final judgments.
The legislation, issued as Decree-Law 88 of 2026 and published in the official gazette in mid-September, gives authorities until the October 1, 2027 implementation date to train judges, experts and staff while issuing the necessary executive regulations. Legal experts consulted by Times Kuwait emphasized that the changes seek to balance the right of defense with procedural efficiency, avoiding any reduction in judicial guarantees. The Ministry of Justice will issue the implementing bylaws before the law enters into force.
