Kuwait takes major step toward e-justice
Courts to issue verdicts electronically in minor cases
The Cabinet has approved a legislative amendment to the Criminal Procedures and Trials Law introducing a digital transformation of the Penal Order System.
Under the new framework, courts will be able to issue rulings in minor cases—covering misdemeanors and violations—entirely through electronic means.
This includes receiving requests, conducting deliberations, issuing judgments, and announcing rulings via the digital system.
This development marks a significant step toward the implementation of e-justice in Kuwait, enabling faster adjudication of cases and reducing the workload on both courts and litigants.
A penal order is a judicial decision issued in minor cases that imposes a fine without the need for a public trial or witness hearings.
It is designed to simplify criminal procedures, accelerate case resolution, and alleviate pressure on the judicial system. Judges issue these rulings based solely on the review of case files, eliminating the need for traditional court sessions.
The transition to the new electronic system will also resolve logistical challenges posed by approximately six million accumulated paper files, many of which have become outdated due to the statute of limitations.
According to recent data, nearly 250,000 penal orders were issued last year alone, underscoring the importance of digital transformation in improving efficiency and reducing administrative burdens.
The amendment not only enhances transparency and accuracy through full electronic documentation but also aligns Kuwait with global trends in digital judicial reform.
In addition, the legislative changes address the handling of items seized in connection with criminal cases—defining storage periods, responsible authorities, and procedures for disposal or destruction when such items are no longer required for investigation or trial.
Follow The Times Kuwait on
X, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news updates
