Kuwait Raises Court Fees to Curb Rise in Frivolous Lawsuits
Kuwait has raised judicial fees for the first time in decades in a bid to reduce the number of frivolous and malicious lawsuits crowding its courts.
The Cabinet approved the move last week, amending provisions of Law No. 17 of 1973 to increase the cost of accessing the country's judicial system.
The new fee structure is intended to ensure that the right to litigation is exercised with seriousness, while also encouraging parties to pursue alternatives such as arbitration and conciliation.
The reforms were approved during the Cabinet's weekly meeting, chaired by Sheikh Ahmed Al Abdullah. In the same session, the government endorsed additional legal amendments to protect Kuwait's education system, particularly during intermediate and secondary school examinations.
Under revisions to the Penal Code, two new articles 259 bis and 259 bis A introduce stricter penalties for cheating-related offenses.
The leaking, selling, or distribution of exam materials now carries penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of 1,000 to 5,000 Kuwaiti dinars. Unauthorised tampering with student exam papers or grades could result in up to seven years of imprisonment and fines of 5,000 to 10,000 dinars.
The government said the amendments are aimed at preserving the credibility of Kuwait's academic institutions and ensuring fair competition among students. The changes come amid rising reports of exam-related misconduct, particularly during national testing periods.
The Cabinet also reaffirmed its commitment to national development, vowing to accelerate key infrastructure projects and remove regulatory hurdles that threaten to delay implementation.
Also read: Kuwait Ends 19-year Visa Ban on Pakistanis, Thousands of Jobs Ahead
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