Kuwait’s Cabinet has approved major legal reforms to protect public funds and tighten rules on misuse of public office. The changes also aim to modernize the court system with digital tools.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shareeda Al-Maousherji announced the measures after Tuesday’s meeting at Bayan Palace. The session was chaired by Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah.
The updated laws broaden the definition of misconduct to include any illegal benefit, with harsher penalties when government contracts or tenders are involved. Officials will be prohibited from disclosing confidential information for ten years after leaving office, with fines and possible dismissal for violations.
Fraud in public contracts is now a criminal offence and intentional damage to public funds will be punishable even without personal gain. Companies can also be held liable for crimes involving state funds. Prosecutors will be able to recover public money even if related criminal cases are dropped, while providing false or misleading information can incur fines of up to KD 10,000.
The reforms unify the definition of “public employee”, extend reporting deadlines to the Audit Bureau from 15 to 30 days, and introduce electronic submission methods. Investment disclosure thresholds rise to KD 250,000, with reporting shifted to an annual schedule.
Digital Transformation in Courts
On the judicial side, amendments aim to expedite civil and commercial cases by enabling full electronic handling, from filing lawsuits to enforcing judgments. Remote court sessions will now be allowed.
Justice Minister Nasser Al-Sumait said the changes are part of a broader digital shift supported by agreements with Google and Microsoft, focusing on online case filing, faster procedures and smoother enforcement of rulings.
To curb frivolous delays, new rules require a KD 200 bail for judge recusal requests, with fines of KD 500–1,000 if rejected. Repeat requests against the same judge will be barred and all decisions must be made within a month.
Addressing Court Backlogs
The amendments come amid a backlog of over 81,000 appeals at the Court of Cassation, prompting the creation of ten judicial committees to speed up case reviews.
The Cabinet also reviewed draft decrees on cooperation agreements with friendly nations, which will be sent to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for final approval.