News developments Archives - Page 199 of 234

Kuwait: Health Guardianship for Women Proposed

01/02/202031/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Five Kuwaiti MPs have submitted a draft law to amend the criminal law to allow women, mothers, wives, or second removed female relatives to authorise medical treatment of children or husbands. They stressed this amendment will help to tackle various situations in which there is no next of kin such as the father or the grandfather to give the necessary permissions. The MPS proposed amending Kuwait Law No. 16/1960 on the criminal law to allow women to authorise medical tests and procedures for underage children and adults who don’t have the legal capacity to give permission.

Bahrain: Amendments to Commercial Registration Law Rejected

31/01/202031/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahraini MPs have rejected proposed amendments to the Commercial Registration Law. The amendments were going to allow the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry rather than applicants to follow up on approvals related to commercial registrations. They were also going to double penalties on individuals if they committed the same violation of their commercial registration terms twice rather than having it doubled for a second offence, even if unrelated.

Dubai: Court Issues Landmark E-cigarettes Ruling

31/01/202031/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Dubai’s Court of Cassation has issued a landmark ruling upholding a judgment which sentenced a European woman to 10 years in jail and deportation because she brought 370 electronic cigarettes into the country. The cigarettes contained a slimy yellow liquid made from cannabis extract. The public prosecution office in Dubai accused the woman of bringing in and possessing drug substances. The Criminal Court of Dubai sentenced the woman to 10 years in jail but she appealed claiming she didn’t hide the material which meant she had no criminal intention and she didn’t know the material was banned in the country. The Court of Cassation upheld the ruling and decided to deport the woman once she serves the prison sentence.

Saudi Arabia: Implementing Regulations to Franchise Law Under Consideration

25/01/202024/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Commerce and Investment Ministry has called on the public and interested parties to give their feedback on draft Implementing Regulations to the Kingdom’s Commercial Franchise Law by 20 February 2020. The Ministry said the Regulations aim to encourage franchise businesses and set strong foundations for their activities. It also aims to ensure details about the rights, duties, and risks related to each opportunity are properly disclosed.

Kuwait: Procedural Law Amendments Proposed

25/01/202024/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Five Kuwaiti MPs have proposed amending the procedural law by adding new articles to the Civil and Commercial Law issued by Kuwait Decree-Law No 38/1980. The MPs want to make changes to regulate disputes involving judges and members of the public prosecution office by adding a new chapter. The aim is to set the situations in which a judge or a member of the prosecution office can be disputed and the deadlines to be met.

Dubai: Developers Cannot Dictate Holiday Home Rules

24/01/202024/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing has issued directives, which among things, state developers and owners association in the Emirate cannot stop licensed holiday home operators from accessing their buildings or communities. Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing is responsible for licensing holiday homes. The new rules also apply to facility management firms who operate on behalf of developers or owners associations in maintaining buildings.

Qatar: Penal Code Amended

24/01/202024/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Emir has issued amendments to the country’s Penal Code. Under the amendments, anyone who broadcasts, publishes, or re-publishes rumours, fake news, or biased news, locally or abroad, with the intent to harm national interests, stir up public opinion, or infringe on social harmony or public order will be jailed. Biased broadcasting or publication will be jailed for up to five years and fined 100,000 Riyals. The amendments have been published in the Official Gazette.

Qatar: New Controls and Procedures for the Exit of Expatriates not Subject to the Labour Law

18/01/202017/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister has issued Qatar Decision No. 95/2019 on controls and procedures for the exit of some categories of expatriates who are not subject to the Labour Law. The Decision allows expatriates to exit the country during the validity of their work contract. It applies to workers in Ministries and other Government agencies as well as public bodies and institutions. In addition, it applies to those in the oil and gas sector, maritime industries, agriculture and grazing, domestic and private office workers. An employer has the right to submit a request to the Interior Ministry with the names of those who may require approval before they leave the country because of the nature of their work, up to 5% of the number of their employees. Domestic workers should inform their employer at least 72 hours before they want to leave.

Kuwait: Amendments to the Audiovisual and Publication Laws Announced

18/01/202017/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Rapporteur of the Educational Affairs Committee of Kuwait’s National Assembly has announced the Committee has discussed amendments to the Audiovisual and Publication Laws. The amendments being considered relate to the penalties under both laws. If they are approved, those who violate either law will not be jailed. The Committee also discussed a draft law on media protections for young people and is waiting to get feedback on the Government.

Bahrain: Execution Court Procedures to be Expedited

17/01/202017/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Head of Bahrain’s Execution Court has announced it is going to expedite procedures in the Court. The Courts have been split to hear different cases and enable them to provide more effective e-services. The number of Execution Court judges have also been increased from six to eight. The changes have been introduced together with the Supreme Judicial Council and the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry. Private firms will also be able to act as legal notaries if they are licensed.