Minister of Justice: Decree Issued to Reduce Tenure Periods for Judges and Public Prosecution Members
Justice Minister and Advisor Nasser Al-Sumait said on Sunday that the issuance of Decree No. 136 of 2026, which reduces the minimum required tenure 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.
Advisor Al-Sumait told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) 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 citizens experience: a reduction in the duration of litigation, stability of legal principles, reduction of conflicting judgments, enhanced performance efficiency, strengthened oversight and accountability, and the more efficient and rapid delivery of rights to their rightful owners.
He clarified that the law comes within the framework of the comprehensive reform process outlined by the high directives of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect and guard him, and the special attention he has paid 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.
He noted that the decree set the tenure at three years for most judicial ranks and four years for the rank of Deputy Public Prosecutor (C), thereby shortening the timeline for promoting national talents and enabling them to reach senior judicial positions, in line with the high directives to expedite the full Kuwaitization of the judiciary and the Public Prosecution, without compromising standards of seniority, eligibility, competence, inspection reports, and legal controls governing promotions.
He explained that the law’s implementation entails the reconstitution of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary according to the new organization of senior judicial positions and their tenures, consolidating organized rotation and providing opportunities for qualified talents to participate in managing the judicial sector, with current officeholders continuing their duties until appointment decrees are issued.
Advisor Al-Sumait pointed out that the explanatory memorandum settled the philosophy of this organization, deciding that “holding these positions is a duty necessitated by the needs of the institution, not a personal entitlement or a permanent right to remain in them,” and that those whose terms expire return to exercising their judicial functions according to their rank and seniority, as adjudicating people’s disputes is the core function of a judge, while administrative positions are temporary stages in their career.
He added that the new organization also extends to several leadership positions in the Public Prosecution, foremost among them the position of Attorney General and several senior prosecution leadership roles, according to the conditions and controls stipulated by the law, with the application of its provisions leading to the reorganization of the filling of some of these positions and the return of those whose terms expire to working in the judiciary according to their ranks and seniority.
He affirmed that the upcoming phase will witness institutional cooperation and coordination with the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, each within its jurisdiction, to translate legislative reforms into actual practice within courts and the Public Prosecution, reflecting improvements in the quality of justice, the speed of procedures, and the stability of judgments.
Advisor Al-Sumait said, “The law has been issued and entered into force, but the real work begins now. Our goal is not for people to feel that a new law has been issued, but that justice itself has become more efficient and stable, and that their rights reach them faster. This is the measure by which we will judge the success of the reform.”
The Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Yawm) had earlier published today Law-Decree No. 80 of 2026, issuing the Law Regulating the Judiciary, and Decree No. 136 of 2026, replacing the schedule attached to Decree No. 126 of 2018 concerning the minimum required tenure for remaining in the ranks of judges and members of the Public Prosecution.
