Al-Sumait: Supreme Directives Against Issuing Laws Contrary to Sharia

- Conclusion of the Debtors’ Campaign... 16.5 Million Dinars Alleviated Hardship for 3,807 Individuals

- An exceptional and unprecedented campaign planned for next Ramadan, under broader facilitations and conditions

- Results of the “Modernization” Initiative... 170,000 Fewer Cases Before Courts, Representing a 20 Percent Decrease

- Three New Laws to Be Announced Soon... Personal Status Law Expected Before Year-End

Justice Minister Advisor Nasser Al-Sumait denied the validity of circulating claims that the Civil Code violates Islamic Sharia provisions regarding inheritance-related cases. He affirmed that Kuwaiti legislation is based on Sharia-compliant controls, in line with directives from His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, prohibiting the issuance of any law or approval of any legislative amendment that contradicts Islamic Sharia.

This statement was made during a press conference held by Minister Al-Sumait to announce the final results of the campaign after the target amount was fully paid, attended by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice Awatef Al-Sand and Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Technical and Administrative Affairs Nouf Al-Qabandi.

Al-Sumait clarified that the amendment to Article 830 of the Civil Code came under direct instructions from His Highness the Amir. Its aim is to protect a partner who might lose their only residence due to the partition or auction sale of residential property.

He explained that the amendment allows the court to postpone partition if it is established that the property is the sole residence of one of the partners, who lacks sufficient funds to purchase a suitable alternative, while taking into account their family and social circumstances. The remaining partners retain the right to request the termination of the postponement once the reasons for it cease to exist, with the possibility of determining fair compensation for the use of the property.

He added that the amendment enables the remaining partners to acquire the share of the partner requesting partition against its value, as determined by an expert appointed by the court. He emphasized that the law does not prevent the distribution of inheritance in a manner contrary to divine Sharia, noting that they have an official fatwa from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs confirming the amendment’s compliance with Islamic Sharia.

Regarding the Debtors’ Campaign, launched on the 27th of last Ramadan with the blessing of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Al-Sumait announced that total donations amounted to 16.539659 million dinars, contributed by 138,328 donors. The campaign benefited 3,807 individuals by fully or partially settling the amounts they were ordered to pay. He noted that the number of rulings issued against beneficiaries totaled 5,645.

He clarified that the campaign, supported by 62 government and civil society entities, contributed to lifting 14,928 enforcement proceedings. He also announced the launch of an exceptional and unprecedented campaign next Ramadan, featuring broader facilitations and conditions to cover the largest possible segment of the population.

Advisor Al-Sumait also addressed the impact and results of laws and legislation approved as part of the National Plan for Modernizing the Legislative System. He announced a significant decrease in cases pending before all courts in 2026, by 20 percent (approximately 170,000 cases), compared to the same period in 2024.

He revealed that three new laws will be announced soon: the Family Law, the Penal Code, and the Personal Status Law. He noted that the Personal Status Law will be presented to the Ministerial Committee this week and will be finalized before the end of the current year. He added that the law addresses major problems currently affecting everyone.