Kuwait: Introduces New Digital Commerce Law

Economy Middle East , 19 November 2025: Kuwait’s Cabinet has approved a comprehensive Digital Commerce Law that introduces specific measures to regulate online business activities and resolve e-commerce disputes, establishing new regulatory bodies and digital business protocols.

The law creates specialised Digital Dispute Resolution Committees to handle e-commerce conflicts and implements a Regulatory Sandbox framework for testing new technologies. It also introduces formal recognition of electronic documents, digital signatures, and online contracts within the legal system.

Under the new legislation, digital merchants will operate under a unified legal definition, with streamlined licensing procedures now in place for online businesses. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry will coordinate implementation efforts across government departments and private sector entities.

The framework provides specific legal mechanisms for consumer protection in digital transactions and establishes clear protocols for dispute resolution. Officials have confirmed that dedicated committees will oversee the swift resolution of conflicts arising from online commercial activities.

The Ministry has indicated that implementation will begin immediately following ratification, with coordination planned between various government bodies to establish the new regulatory structure.

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Kuwait: Introduces Three-Month Limit for Court Order Implementation

Arab Times, 12 November 2025: Kuwait’s Public Prosecution has established a new three-month deadline for the implementation of court rulings, as part of amendments to the country’s Penal Code under Kuwait Decree-Law No. 87/2025.

The announcement modifies Article (58 bis) of Kuwait Law No. 31/1970 and requires all court orders to be executed within three months of the enforcement notice being served.

Under the new regulations, failure to implement court decisions within the specified timeframe will be treated as a criminal offence. The Public Prosecution has confirmed it will pursue legal action against any individuals or authorities who deliberately delay or refuse to execute final court rulings beyond the prescribed period.

The three-month window applies to all state authorities, institutions, and individuals who are subject to court orders. The timeframe has been established to allow implementing bodies sufficient opportunity to take necessary enforcement measures.

The Public Prosecution’s statement outlined that the implementation of court rulings is now a mandatory legal requirement rather than an optional measure. The office will monitor compliance and initiate accountability procedures against those who fail to meet the deadline.

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Kuwait: Launches Smart Licence System for Business Permits

Al Qabas, 10 November 2025: Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a directive requiring government agencies to implement a new smart licence system featuring integrated barcodes for business permits.

The new system mandates the use of embedded barcodes as the primary method for regulatory authorities to electronically verify commercial licence data.

Under the new directive, regulatory bodies must transition from paper-based procedures to the digital verification system when checking business permits. The smart licence will serve as the standard format for commercial licensing documentation across government departments.

The ministry has instructed all relevant government agencies to begin implementing the new system immediately. The digital licences will incorporate barcode technology to enable swift electronic verification of business permit details by regulatory authorities.

This development represents the latest phase in Kuwait’s transition towards fully digital government services, with the smart licence system designed to standardise business permit verification across all government departments.

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Kuwait: Mandates Electronic Tracking of Private Sector Working Hours

Arab Times, 2 November 2025: Kuwait has introduced new regulations requiring private sector employers to digitally record and display working hours, rest periods and holidays.

Under Kuwait Decision No. 15/2025, employers must enter comprehensive workplace scheduling information into a new electronic system managed by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM).

The mandatory digital records must include: daily working hours, rest periods, weekly rest days and official holidays.

Employers are required to maintain up-to-date records, with any schedule changes to be logged immediately in the system. The digital data will serve as the official reference for workplace inspections.

The resolution stipulates that employers must print and prominently display the approved schedules at work sites, making them accessible to both staff and inspectors. This new electronic system replaces all previous paper-based documentation methods.

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Kuwait: Municipality Updates Building Specifications

Al Anba, 27 October 2025: Kuwait Municipality has announced significant modifications to the building specifications and commercial ratios for the Educational, Cultural, and Entertainment Centre project on Abdullah Al-Ahmad Street.

The revised plans detail three distinct building plots. Plot A will feature a 40-storey building, including three underground parking levels, 14 floors dedicated to cultural, entertainment, educational, and commercial rental spaces, and 25 floors allocated for either hotel accommodation, administrative offices, or a combination of both.

Plot B will comprise an 11-storey structure, incorporating three underground parking levels. The ground floor through to the tenth floor will house rental spaces for cultural, entertainment, educational, and commercial activities, topped by a recreational roof area featuring green spaces and complimentary children’s play facilities.

Plot C will be developed as a public car park building with six floors above ground and three basement levels. The rooftop will be converted into a free public skating garden.

The municipality has also adjusted the rental space allocation, stipulating that commercial activities, including retail shops, restaurants, and cafes, must not exceed 60% of the total rental area. The remaining minimum 40% is designated for educational, cultural, and entertainment activities.

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Kuwait: Approves New Laws on International Crimes and Missing Persons

Arab Times, 15 October 2025: Kuwait’s Cabinet has approved two new draft laws addressing international crimes and the protection of missing persons.

The first decree-law establishes legal frameworks for prosecuting four major international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and acts of aggression.

The second law focuses on protecting missing persons and their families’ rights, including provisions for determining their fate and providing compensation.

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Kuwait: Justice Ministry Issues New Debt Collection Guidelines

Arab Times, 9 October 2025: Kuwait’s Ministry of Justice has implemented new regulations governing enforcement procedures for debt collection, following Kuwait Administrative Circular No. 26/2025.

Under the new guidelines, existing asset seizures and travel bans will remain in force even if debtors file initial objections to enforcement procedures. However, arrest warrants and subpoenas must be suspended once a valid objection is lodged, and any imprisoned debtors must be released.

The circular specifies that creditors may reinstate arrest procedures without proving debtor solvency if the objection is ultimately rejected or dismissed.

All enforcement judges, department directors, and supervisory staff across the General Administration of Enforcement and its regional branches are required to implement these new procedures with immediate effect.

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Kuwait: Launches Digital Criminal Court Order System

Kuwait’s Ministry of Justice has announced the implementation of a new electronic criminal court order system following cabinet approval marking a significant shift towards digital justice administration in the country.

The new system enables courts to process minor criminal cases entirely electronically, from initial filing through to verdict delivery and notification. This digital transformation specifically targets misdemeanours and minor offences that typically result in fines, eliminating the need for traditional court hearings or witness testimony.

Under the new procedure, judges can issue rulings based solely on case documentation through a streamlined digital platform. The system aims to address the substantial backlog of paper files, estimated at millions of cases, many of which have been pending for years due to administrative challenges.

The legislation includes provisions for complete electronic documentation of criminal orders and establishes guidelines for handling specialised criminal cases, including regulations on data storage periods and determining relevant authorities for case notifications.

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Kuwait: Bar Association Proposes Major Legal Practice Reforms

Al Anba, 18 September 2025: The Kuwait Bar Association (KBA) is finalising comprehensive amendments to the legal practice law in coordination with the Ministry of Justice.

Key proposed changes include: Introduction of mandatory written entrance examinations, Enhanced procedural immunity for lawyers, Protection of legal offices from seizure, Statutory limitations on professional violations, Stricter penalties for assault against lawyers, Privileged status for contractual legal fees, Mandatory legal counsel requirements for listed companies and Enhanced penalties for unauthorised legal practice.

The draft legislation also addresses: Employment opportunities for newly registered lawyers, Professional conduct on social media, Development of arbitration centre and legal studies institute and Fair and transparent registration procedures.

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