The Cabinet approved a new legislative package covering citizenship, judiciary, and courts

The Cabinet advanced a new legislative package covering citizenship, the judiciary, and courts, in a move that combines stricter citizenship regulations and updated proof mechanisms, with the reorganization of the judicial system to enhance its independence and efficiency, and the development of litigation mechanisms through the establishment of specialized economic circuits aimed at accelerating dispute resolution, simplifying procedures, and activating remote litigation.

This came during the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The Cabinet approved a draft law-amending decree modifying certain provisions of Emiri Decree No. 15 of 1959 on Kuwaiti Citizenship. Article One of the aforementioned draft law-amending decree stipulates the following: “The following two texts shall replace the text of Item 4 of Article 14 and the text of Article 19 of the aforementioned Emiri Decree No. 15 of 1959:

Item 4: If a person intentionally adds to their citizenship file, or the citizenship file of another person, any individual who is not their child or descendant, and this is established through an investigation conducted by the Supreme Committee for Kuwaiti Citizenship Verification or through a final judicial ruling, the citizenship of any of their children or descendants may be revoked if their knowledge of this act is proven.

The Minister of Interior shall issue a Kuwaiti citizenship certificate to every Kuwaiti after verifying its authenticity in accordance with the provisions of this Law. This certificate shall be issued in electronic form. The Minister shall issue a decision detailing the technical and procedural controls and requirements for issuing, storing, and using the electronic certificate, as well as the procedures for verifying its authenticity, revoking it, or suspending its validity.”

Article Two further stipulates: “A new paragraph shall be added to the text of Article 7 of the aforementioned Emiri Decree No. 15 of 1959, reading as follows:

‘A person who has acquired Kuwaiti citizenship through naturalization shall not have the right to vote, run for office, or be appointed to any parliamentary body.’”

Article Three states: “The electronic certificate referred to in this law-amending decree shall carry the same legal weight and effects as the citizenship certificate, and shall replace the paper certificate in the application of existing laws, decrees, and regulations.”

The Cabinet referred the draft law-amending decree modifying certain provisions of Emiri Decree No. 15 of 1959 on Kuwaiti Citizenship to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The Cabinet also approved a draft law-amending decree concerning the organization of the judiciary, which comes within the framework of efforts to develop the judicial system, enhance judicial efficiency, and consolidate guarantees of judicial independence and integrity. This is achieved by updating the rules governing the affairs of the judicial authority and the Public Prosecution, and establishing a more integrated framework for justice institutions, through several interrelated key pillars.

The first pillar centers on the draft decree-law for developing the organization of judicial affairs, through updating the rules governing the selection, appointment, and promotion of judicial members, and enhancing the competencies of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary and the rules regulating its work. The second pillar focuses on strengthening the oversight and accountability framework and litigation guarantees, by developing rules for judicial inspection, accountability, and disciplinary measures, enhancing litigants’ rights, refining the regulations governing the Public Prosecution’s operations and competencies, and reinforcing its role in overseeing detention facilities. The third pillar aims at developing judicial work and enhancing the stability of legal principles, through establishing a comprehensive mechanism to unify judicial precedents of the Court of Cassation, thereby ensuring the stability and consistency of legal principles and judicial rulings, alongside regulating trials and judicial procedures conducted using electronic means, in a manner that responds to legislative and technological developments and elevates the efficiency of the justice system. The Council of Ministers submitted the draft decree to His Highness.

Furthermore, the Council of Ministers approved the draft decree replacing the schedule attached to Decree-Law No. 126 of 2018 concerning the minimum durations required for retention in the ranks of judges and members of the Public Prosecution, and submitted it to His Highness.

Additionally, the Council of Ministers approved the draft decree-law issuing the law establishing Economic Courts, aimed at aligning with modern global and regional legislation and harnessing advanced technological systems to serve justice. This necessitates the issuance of a law establishing Economic Courts, which is a procedural law designed to achieve the required balance between the right to defense and the expeditious resolution of cases brought before the courts. This is pursued through three interrelated objectives the law seeks to achieve:

1. Designating an Economic Court and a judge assigned to preside over it; this designation extends to the expert appointed to conduct expert examinations in disputes heard before the court, down to the enforcement judge who implements its rulings.

2. Simplifying litigation procedures by reducing certain procedural deadlines, preparing cases, notifying parties of the case statements, and enabling mutual access to memoranda and documents before referral to the competent court, while also activating the remote litigation system, ensuring the principle of confrontation between parties and safeguarding the right to defense.

3. Legislative flexibility, by carefully avoiding the rigidity of statutory provisions, which constitutes one of the major flaws of legislation. The Council of Ministers submitted the draft decree to His Highness.

The Council of Ministers reviewed several items on the agenda, including reports and minutes of ministerial committees, and approved them. It also decided to refer certain items to the relevant ministerial committees for study and to submit appropriate recommendations to complete the procedures for their implementation.

The Council of Ministers reviewed a visual presentation delivered by the Deputy of the Amir’s Diwan, Sheikh Abdulaziz Meshal Mubarak Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and the responsible committee, regarding the operations and supervision of the third phase of the Martyr’s Garden project. The presentation focused on the final stages of the project’s operation and opening, which is scheduled to open to the public on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

He clarified that, on this occasion, a carnival will be held featuring entertainment activities for visitors, including musical bands, light shows, and family and children’s entertainment segments. He noted that the park’s vision is to become a model, integrated facility encompassing a wide range of sports and recreational amenities. He pointed out that the total area of the project site amounts to 243,605 square meters, with a total built-up area of 203,162 square meters. The green space covers 190,661 square meters, while the investment area totals 16,232 square meters. The parking facilities can accommodate 2,388 vehicles.

For his part, the Cabinet commended the efforts undertaken by the leadership, officials, and staff of the Amir’s Diwan and the committee responsible for managing and supervising the third phase of the Martyr’s Park project, which aims to open this recreational and cultural landmark. The project is expected to attract visitors from within and outside the State of Kuwait.

At the outset of its meeting, the Cabinet was informed of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s approval to patronize the opening of several new health projects in the country, and his directive for His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister, to attend on his behalf.

The Cabinet was also briefed on the content of a written letter received by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, from the Prime Minister of the friendly United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Andy Burnham. The letter pertained to the strong historical ties between the two countries and their peoples, and ways to develop these relations across various fields. It also addressed a number of issues of mutual interest and the latest developments in the regional and international arenas. The letter was delivered to Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Diwan Affairs, by Qudsi Rashid, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the State of Kuwait, in the presence of Sheikh Thamer Jaber Al-Sabah, Head of the Diwan of His Highness the Crown Prince.

The Cabinet listened to a briefing presented by Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, regarding the political and diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic missions abroad to keep pace with the latest developments in the regional and international arenas.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also informed the Cabinet about the telephone communications he conducted and received over the past few days with several foreign ministers from sister and friendly countries. These calls reviewed the latest regional developments and diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions, enhancing security and stability in the region, and ensuring the safety and freedom of maritime navigation.

The Cabinet expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the malicious Iranian attacks that targeted two tankers and a vessel belonging to the UAE’s ADNOC company while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. It emphasized that targeting commercial ships and international maritime routes constitutes a blatant violation of international law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, and poses a threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation, global energy supplies, and international trade. It stressed the necessity of halting all actions that could escalate tensions in the region, respecting freedom of navigation and safe passage through international waterways, and fully and unconditionally reopening the Strait of Hormuz. It reaffirmed Kuwait’s full solidarity with and support for the sisterly United Arab Emirates in all measures it takes to safeguard its sovereignty, protect its security, and defend its interests.

The Cabinet expressed the State of Kuwait’s condemnation of the Israeli occupation authorities’ explicit rejection of the roadmap aimed at completing the implementation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza, which was endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, as well as their refusal to establish a Palestinian state. It emphasized that these stances constitute an outright rejection of moving forward with the comprehensive plan, and fundamentally undermine collective efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, including those undertaken by the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Turkey, the United States of America, the Peace Council, and all other concerned parties.

It stressed the necessity for the international community to fulfill its responsibilities and compel the Israeli occupation authorities to fully comply with the obligations and arrangements stipulated in the comprehensive plan and its associated roadmap.

- Minister of Interior to issue electronic nationality certificates to all Kuwaitis after verification of citizenship status

- Simplification of litigation procedures through the reduction of certain procedural deadlines