No changes to the salaries of judges and the Public Prosecution
The Official Gazette of Kuwait published today a decree concerning the minimum required periods for remaining in the ranks of judges and members of the Public Prosecution. Article One of the decree stipulated the replacement of the table specifying the minimum required periods for remaining in the ranks of judges and members of the Public Prosecution, without prejudice to the salaries, allowances, and increments allocated to each rank. The decree set the minimum required period for remaining in each rank at three years for the positions of advisor at the Court of Appeal and the Public Prosecutor, deputy judge at the Court of First Instance, head of Prosecution Office A, judge of the First Class serving as head of Prosecution Office B, judge of the Second Class serving as deputy prosecutor of Prosecution Office A, and judge of the Third Class serving as deputy prosecutor of Prosecution Office B. Meanwhile, the decree set the minimum required period for remaining in the rank of deputy prosecutor of Prosecution Office C at four years.
For his part, Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Samit stated that the issuance of Decree No. 136 of 2026, which reduces the minimum required periods for remaining in the ranks of judges and members of the Public Prosecution, represents one of the initial executive steps accompanying the entry into force of the Law Regulating the Judiciary. Al-Samit added in a press statement that the implementation of the law opens a new phase in which efforts shift from legislation to execution, emphasizing that the success of the reform is not measured by the number of provisions that have changed, but by what people experience: a reduction in the duration of litigation, stability of legal principles, limitation of conflicting judgments, enhanced performance efficiency, strengthened oversight and accountability, and the delivery of rights to their owners with greater efficiency and speed.
He clarified that the law comes within the framework of the comprehensive reform process outlined by the High Directives, and reflects the particular attention paid by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to developing the justice sector, addressing deficiencies, preparing national cadres, accelerating the Kuwaitization of the judiciary and supporting functions, and enhancing the stability of judgments and justice.
Al-Samit pointed out that the explanatory memorandum settled the philosophy of this regulation, deciding that holding these positions is a duty assigned due to the needs of the institution, not a personal entitlement or a permanent right to remain in them. Those whose tenure ends return to performing their judicial duties according to their rank and seniority, as adjudicating people’s disputes is the primary function of a judge, whereas administrative posts are temporary stages in their career.
He added that the new regulation also extends to several leadership positions in the Public Prosecution, foremost among them the position of Attorney General and several senior prosecution leadership roles, in accordance with the conditions and controls stipulated by the law. This entails reorganizing the appointment to some of these positions and returning those whose tenure ends to working in the judiciary according to their ranks and seniority.
He affirmed that the coming phase will witness institutional cooperation and coordination with the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, each within its jurisdiction, to translate legislative reforms into practical implementation within the courts and the Public Prosecution, which will reflect positively on the quality of justice, the speed of its procedures, and the stability of its rulings.
