
Bahrain: Introduces Tougher Penalties for Penal Code
The Daily Tribune, 19 August 2025: Bahrain has issued new legislation substantially increasing penalties for deaths and injuries caused by negligence, with prison sentences now reaching up to 10 years for the most serious cases.
The amendments, introduced through Bahrain Law No. 31/2025, establish a graduated system of punishments under the country’s Penal Code. Standard cases of fatal negligence will now attract prison terms of two to five years or fines between 2,000 and 6,000 Bahraini Dinars.
The reforms create particularly severe sanctions for professional negligence, cases involving intoxication, or instances where perpetrators fail to assist victims. Multiple fatalities can result in seven-year prison terms and fines up to 10,000 Dinars, with sentences potentially extending to 10 years in aggravated circumstances.
For non-fatal injuries, the law now prescribes up to one year’s imprisonment or fines reaching 200 Dinars for basic offences. Cases involving permanent injury or professional negligence face increased penalties of one to five years’ imprisonment or fines up to 8,000 Dinars.
For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.
You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.
Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.