Kuwait completes 284 legal reforms as judiciary Kuwaitization reaches 87%

Kuwait has completed 284 legislative reforms under its national legal modernisation programme, marking a major milestone in efforts to modernise the country's legal framework and strengthen the justice system.

Justice Minister and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait announced that the reforms include 27 newly enacted laws, amendments to 67 existing laws, the repeal of 10 outdated laws, and the completion of 180 legislative instruments related to international agreements and memoranda of understanding.

The legislative overhaul forms part of Kuwait's broader government reform agenda aimed at creating a more modern legal environment, supporting institutional development, and improving the efficiency of the country's justice system.

Al-Sumait said the programme will now move into its third phase, with the government targeting a total of 400 completed legislative reforms. The next phase is expected to further enhance the quality of Kuwait's legal system while aligning it with evolving national priorities and international legal standards.

Alongside the legislative reforms, the minister announced the completion of the second phase of Kuwait's judicial Kuwaitization plan, which seeks to increase the representation of Kuwaiti nationals within the judiciary in line with the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

As part of the second phase, ministerial decisions ended the secondment of 82 members of the judiciary, raising the Kuwaitization rate to 87% of the country's total judicial workforce as of September 30, 2026.

According to Al-Sumait, two implementation phases remain before the programme reaches its final objective of achieving 100% Kuwaitization of the judiciary by October 1, 2030.

The government said the initiative is designed to strengthen reliance on national legal expertise while continuing efforts to modernise Kuwait's judicial institutions and legislative framework, supporting long-term institutional development and an efficient justice system.