Kuwait Overhauls Juvenile Law to Boost Judicial Efficiency

Kuwait has enacted amendments to its Juvenile Law, aiming to streamline the judicial process and expedite cases involving minors. Published in the Official Gazette Kuwait Alyoum under Decree-Law No. 70 of 2026, these changes modify key provisions of the 2015 Juvenile Law.

The amendments introduce greater flexibility in establishing Juvenile Courts within the Court of First Instance. These courts will now comprise three judges and require the assistance of two social work experts. The experts' attendance at trial proceedings is mandatory, and they must thoroughly assess the juvenile's social, psychological, and family circumstances before submitting a report to the court.

Significant adjustments have also been made to the Juvenile Appellate Circuit. Previously, this circuit required a counselor to head it, with members holding the rank of court agent. These strict rank requirements often led to difficulties in forming appellate panels, causing delays. The revised law allows for a judge of at least the rank of a court agent to head the circuit, along with two other judges. This reorganization aims to maintain judicial hierarchy while enabling faster case processing and ensuring the quality of judicial decisions.