Decree-Law No. 63 of 2025 suspends law No. 12 of 1963 governing the National Assembly’s internal regulations

The Government of Kuwait has issued Decree-Law No. 63 of 2025, effectively suspending the provisions of Law No. 12 of 1963, which outlines the internal regulations of the National Assembly. The decree was published in the official supplement of the government gazette Kuwait Alyawm and came into force upon its publication.

Scope and Duration of the Suspension

The decree stipulates the suspension of all provisions of Law No. 12 of 1963, as well as any decisions and regulations issued under its authority, particularly those governing the administrative and employment affairs of the General Secretariat of the National Assembly, reports Al-Rai daily.

This suspension will remain in effect until the earlier of either:

• The end of the four-year period specified in the Amiri Order issued on May 10, 2024, or
• The election of a new National Assembly following the implementation of this decree-law.

However, the decree explicitly excludes Article 178 of Law No. 12 of 1963 from suspension. This article provides that, in the event of the dissolution of the National Assembly, the General Secretariat shall be attached to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, thereby maintaining a legal administrative link for its operations.

Legal and Administrative Implications

According to Article Two of the decree, employees of the General Secretariat of the National Assembly will now be subject to the provisions of:

• Decree-Law No. 15 of 1979 concerning the Civil Service
• The Civil Service System issued in 1979, including any subsequent amendments

These provisions will govern the employment, administrative, and financial affairs of the Secretariat’s staff until Law No. 12 of 1963 is reinstated.

Article Three of the decree nullifies any legal provision that conflicts with the terms of Decree-Law No. 63 of 2025, while Article Four mandates the Prime Minister and concerned ministers to implement it and confirms that enforcement begins upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

Background and Justification

The decree was issued in response to the Amiri Order dated May 10, 2024, which dissolved the National Assembly and suspended the application of several constitutional articles for a maximum of four years. These include Articles 51, 56 (paragraphs 2 and 3), 71 (paragraph 2), 79, 107, 174, and 181 — all of which are central to the legislative functions and composition of the National Assembly.

Given the dissolution and constitutional suspension, the internal regulatory law of the Assembly (Law No. 12 of 1963) is considered inapplicable. The decree also addresses the inconsistency between previous employment regulations applied by the National Assembly Secretariat and the State Civil Service System.

Notably, Resolution No. 26 of 2009 and Resolution No. 46 of 2014, which regulated salaries, benefits, and administrative procedures within the Secretariat, are considered inconsistent with broader state employment laws. These resolutions provided benefits that are now deemed to lack legal basis following the suspension of the underlying law.

Therefore, the decree aims to unify the employment regulations applied across all state entities, eliminate discrepancies in employee benefits, and align the current administrative framework with the existing constitutional and legal structure during the suspension period.