Kuwait issues 353 new laws in two years as sweeping legal reforms reshape justice system
. . . reforms 983 laws as new legislation cuts traffic, drug and domestic violence cases
- New laws target faster justice, business growth and stronger family protection; legal overhaul delivers results as pending cases and violations decline; advances five places in competitiveness index amid major legislative reforms
- Specialized committees continue to work on further developing the country’s legislative framework.
Kuwait has introduced 353 new laws within two years as part of an ambitious government plan to modernize the country’s legislative system, improve judicial efficiency and strengthen the business environment. The reforms cover economic, social and criminal legislation and aim to support the New Kuwait 2035 vision.
The national plan, launched by Justice Minister Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait, seeks to review and modernize around 983 existing laws through several stages. The first phase targeted a review of 25 percent of existing legislation, with most of its objectives completed by the end of 2026. The reforms focus on improving governance, transparency, digital transformation and the consistency of laws.
The legislative changes have already produced measurable results. The new Traffic Law (Decree-Law No. 5 of 2025) contributed to a 63 percent decline in red-light violations and a 65 percent reduction in speeding violations. Amendments to civil and commercial procedures and electronic judicial notifications through the Sahel application reduced performance orders by nearly 40 percent and helped accelerate case resolution.
The Domestic Violence Protection Law, which came into effect in mid-March with 31 articles, contributed to a 33 percent decline in cases registered with the Public Prosecution during its first three months. The number of cases fell from 486 to 328.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Narcotics Law (Decree-Law No. 159 of 2025), effective from mid-December, contributed to a 49 percent decline in drug trafficking cases, alongside an increase in reports seeking addiction treatment.
Economic reforms include amendments to the Real Estate Developer Law to give companies greater flexibility in offering different housing products, as well as executive regulations governing taxes on multinational entities to improve tax fairness and attract investment.
New legislation covering economic courts, rental arrangements and owners’ associations is also intended to keep pace with economic developments. Amendments to the Family Law and the Family Court Law aim to strengthen family stability and protect children from marital disputes.
Criminal legislation has also undergone significant changes. Amendments abolished the reduced punishment previously granted to men who murdered their wives, mothers, daughters or sisters after catching them in adultery under Article 153 of the Penal Code.
They also abolished the mitigating excuse for mothers who killed newborn babies immediately after birth to avoid social shame under Article 159, and the exemption from punishment for kidnappers who married the women they abducted under Article 182.
Other reforms include a proposed amendment to the National Human Rights Bureau Law to rename the institution the National Human Rights Commission, strengthen its independence from ministerial control, establish a five-member full-time board and provide it with an independent attached budget.
Bankruptcy law amendments also provide for specialized court circuits comprising three Court of First Instance judges. The legislative programme includes 37 new decrees with the force of law, 12 repealing existing legislation, 78 amending provisions of existing laws and 99 issued in accordance with international agreements and memoranda of understanding.
The official gazette Kuwait Today published around 140 decrees by law during the 11 months from August 2025. Justice Minister Al-Sumait said the reforms had contributed to Kuwait advancing five places in the 2026 Global Competitiveness Index issued by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), reaching 31st among 70 countries.
Kuwait’s overall score improved from 68.69 to 70.13 points, reflecting progress in economic performance, business efficiency and government effectiveness. He stressed that legislative modernization, digital transformation and improved government services were essential to strengthening Kuwait’s international competitiveness, attracting investment and improving the efficiency of public institutions.
Specialized committees continue to work on further developing the country’s legislative framework.
