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Arab Times
4 days ago
- Arab Times
Chalet Prices Skyrocket 60% As Eid Triggers Booking Frenzy
KUWAIT CITY, June 5: The five-day Eid Al-Adha holiday has become an opportunity for families to enjoy a relaxing time, away from the pressures of daily life. Almost everyone has resorted to chalets as a haven and the first and most attractive option, especially given the seaside atmosphere they offer amid the intense heat, as well as the comprehensive entertainment services, at a time when traveling outside the country is not feasible for many. In this context, several reservation office workers confirmed to the newspaper that chalets in Sabah Al- Ahmad Sea City witnessed a high demand and a remarkable increase in prices -- about 60 percent higher compared to normal days. This price hike is due to the increased demand during the Eid holiday, which some consider an unjustified increase. They revealed that the rent for 'deluxe' chalets -- consisting of four rooms and a swimming pool, and located on the second row from the sea -- reached about KD500 during the holiday, while the rent for those on the first row from the sea (on the creek) ranged between KD600 and KD800. They said the rent for 'super deluxe' chalets on the first row of the creek ranged from KD900 to KD1,800; while prices for VIP chalets (which consist of 10 to 14 rooms in modern buildings, with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and game rooms for adults and children) reached between KD1,800 and KD2,500. They added that all these chalets are fully booked days before the holiday. They pointed out that the significant increase in bookings coincided with the school holidays and Eid Al-Adha. 'The long holiday was expected to encourage many to travel, but the reality proved otherwise, contributing to a surge in domestic bookings,' they added. They also indicated that occupancy rates reached nearly 100 percent in most locations, especially in Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City, which has become a major destination for short vacations and special occasions. The heightened activity is not limited to chalets, as it extended to coastal hotels and resorts, where the price of a single room per night ranged between KD100 and KD140; while hotel suites reached about KD400 for two nights during the weekend. They reported that the majority of the tenants prefer chalets with a direct sea view, a private pool, daily housekeeping, and proximity to public amenities such as shopping malls, restaurants, mosques, and play areas for children. Meanwhile, Ahmed Al-Dahham said the chalets have become an indispensable annual choice for him and his family during the Eid holiday, explaining that the tranquil atmosphere and services provided make the stay a comfortable and enjoyable experience. He pointed out that gathering at a chalet restores the warmth of family relationships, which could be lost amid the busyness of daily life. He asserted, 'The cost may be high, but the psychological and social benefits are worth it.' Ali Al-Zaid believes that the high prices of chalets during Eid are unjustified, but he finds himself forced to book them due to the lack of suitable alternatives, especially for large family groups. He stated that many young people and families turn to chalets because these facilities provide a safe environment for entertainment, without having to leave the country. He called for increasing the number of local entertainment facilities at affordable prices. Umm Yousef said the chalet has become part of her family's Eid rituals, disclosing that the children eagerly await this holiday to play and swim, away from the routine of school and gadgets. She revealed that the chalets provide psychological comfort to mothers, as they can enjoy the tranquility and services offered. She called for the development of more family resorts that ensure privacy and suit different budgets. Ghada Al-Azmi described the chalet experience as a 'psychological break' from the city's traffic and work pressures, pointing out that having local options for relaxation is better than quick and expensive travel. She added the high demand for chalets is a manifestation of the community's need for organized, state-supported recreational outlets. She emphasized that the development of Failaka Island will enhance these destinations and contribute to stimulating domestic tourism and reducing reliance on foreign travel. Mohammed Akbar pointed out that chalets have become a practical alternative to travel, particularly during short vacations that do not require foreign travel arrangements. He said many families eagerly await the Eid holiday to book a chalet and spend a few days of rest and relaxation. He noted that these destinations have also become a logical choice from a financial standpoint, as they help avoid the high costs of travel, especially during the off-peak season. Abdulaziz Al-Kandari shared that he is keen on spending official holidays in a chalet due to the country's lack of family-friendly recreational facilities other than malls. Al-Kandari added, 'Unfortunately, there are no real recreational facilities that accommodate young people and families, and for them to use their free time properly. This is a clear defect, especially when we are talking about children who are considered the backbone of the future.' He stressed the importance of giving this group adequate attention by establishing appropriate facilities that meet their needs.
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Lawsuits in Kuwait get a fee-lift
KUWAIT CITY, June 5: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah presided over the weekly meeting of the Cabinet, during which a decree-law amending certain provisions of Judicial Fees Law No. 17/1973 was approved. This amendment is the first in more than five decades. It aims to limit the growing number of vexatious cases, ensure the seriousness of the right to litigation, and promote alternative dispute resolution methods like arbitration and conciliation. The amendment includes the increase of fees and rates imposed on lawsuits with a specified or unspecified claim value. It stipulates a five percent rate if the claim value is up to KD30,000; 3.5 percent if the claim value exceeds KD30,000 up to KD150,000; 2.5 percent if the value ranges between KD150,000 and KD500,000; 1.5 percent if the claim value ranges between KD500,000 and KD5million; and one percent if the claim value exceeds KD5 million. It raised the fees for orders on petitions and requests from KD5 to KD10; KD50 for urgent lawsuits and enforcement issues — up from KD3; court lawsuit fees increased to KD100, including the request to appoint an expert; KD150 for enforcement issues — up from KD30; KD100 for requests to dismiss a judge, expert and arbitrator; KD500 for a request to refer a property to a sales judge; the fee for warnings for each party increased from 500 fils to KD5; cost of stamp duty increased from 500 fils to KD1; and requests to expedite lawsuits, suspension and cancellation are subject to a fee of KD5. Article One of the Decree-Law stipulates the replacement of a number of articles of the Judicial Fees Law with new texts. Article Two states that if the lawsuit includes multiple claims of known value — whether original or reserve, and arising from a single legal cause; the assessment shall be based on their total value. However, if they arise from different legal causes, the assessment shall be based on the value of each one separately. Article Five states that if it is impossible to estimate a claim, it shall be deemed unvalued. The following claims, in particular, shall be deemed unvalued: claims for the authenticity of a signature, claims and objections submitted to the judge of urgent matters, original forgery claims, requests for enforcement of arbitrators' rulings and appeals against such orders, requests for orders to implement foreign court rulings, requests to dismiss judges, experts and arbitrators, requests and orders on petitions submitted to the Execution Department and appeals against them, claims for easements, claims for interpretation and correction of rulings, claims for review of endowments, claims for entitlement to residency in endowment sites or their eviction, and claims for eviction of rented premises. It also stipulates that if a claim includes multiple original claims or original and reserve claims — all of which are unvalued — a fee shall be imposed on each of them separately. If these claims are related, a single fee shall be imposed on them. Under the decree, a fixed fee is imposed on the following lawsuits: personal status lawsuits of all types, partition lawsuits between partners, appeals against orders on petitions, and the list of fees and expenses. Fees are also collected for each lawsuit that has been in effect for one year from the date of its cancellation and has not been renewed from the date of cancellation, or from the date of the expiration of the penal or consensual stay and has not been resumed. A fee of KD5 is imposed for a request to renew a lawsuit from cancellation, shorten its hearing date, or expedite it from the penal or consensual stay. The applicant is obligated to pay this fee regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit. A new fee of 10 percent of the value of the fee due is collected for the lawsuit when it is re-filed within three months from the date of the judgment, as if it never existed, or by abandoning it; provided that the subject of the lawsuit or its litigants do not change. The exemption request shall be submitted to the Clerks Department of the Court of First Instance, accompanied by the supporting documents or a copy thereof. The Clerks Department shall notify the Judicial Fees Department of the request and its documents, so that it may submit its report. A committee of three judges shall be formed to decide on the request in the absence of the parties and without pleading unless the committee deems it necessary to attend. The committee shall have a secretary who will attend its sessions and record its minutes. The committee's decision shall be issued by a majority vote of its members, including the reasons for the decision and the basis upon which the exemption was based. The exemption from fees shall be personal and shall not extend to the heirs of the exempted person or their replacement. The committee referred to in the previous article may, during the course of the case or after judgment therein, based on a request from the Judicial Fees Department or the opposing party in the case, annul the exemption decision if it is proven that the justified incapacity has ceased. The Court Clerks Department shall notify the circuit hearing the case of the annulment decision. If the fee-exempt opponent is required to pay the fees, he must first be requested to pay them. If it is impossible to collect the fees from him, it is permissible to recover them from the concerned party if the state of his inability is no longer in accordance with the previous article. A fee of KD5 is imposed on warnings and notifications — other than notification of the statement of claim, judgment and other notifications related to the progress of a dispute before the court — for each person notified. A fee of 500 fils is collected for each page of the copy of the judgment requested from non-litigants. The same fee is imposed for each page requested by the litigants after they obtained the first copy. A fee of KD1 is imposed on certificates and copies of the lawsuit papers requested by the litigants or others regarding the progress of the lawsuit or the judgment therein. It also stipulates that the courts shall adjudicate in lawsuits and requests for which the fee is paid in advance, or for which a temporary exemption is established. No lawsuit or request may be initiated before this fee is paid. If it is found that it has not been paid, the court shall grant the plaintiff an appropriate period for payment. If he does not pay within that period without an acceptable excuse, the lawsuit is deemed null and void. The provisions of Article 123 of the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law shall apply to orders to assess fees and the appeals against them. Without prejudice to the rules of exemption from court fees, the plaintiff is obligated to pay the fee until a final judgment is issued against the other party. The explanatory memorandum states that Law No. 17/1973 regarding judicial fees was issued more than 50 years ago; and it has not been amended despite the economic and social changes in recent years, including the rise in inflation rate and the level of per capita income, which led to an increase in the prices of goods and services. It added that the increasing level of public culture and trust in the judiciary have encouraged citizens to resort to the courts as a safe haven for resolving their disputes. This has led to a steady increase in the number of cases brought before them; hence, litigants have to endure the pain of waiting for resolution.
Arab Times
24-05-2025
- Arab Times
Good conduct pledge frees officer
KUWAIT CITY, May 24:The Court of Cassation overturned the seven-year prison sentence imposed on a traffic officer accused of unlawfully transferring vehicle ownership without the presence of the original owners. Instead of upholding the sentence, the court decided to refrain from pronouncing punishment and then required the officer to maintain good conduct. In the same case, the court also ruled to abstain from punishing several employees involved in the case. All were ordered to pay a bail of KD500 and adhere to good conduct conditions for one year. Earlier, the Public Prosecution referred the accused to court on charges of forgery, alleging they facilitated the transfer of vehicle ownership to third parties without the presence or authorization of the actual owners.
Arab Times
20-03-2025
- Arab Times
Guard's Savings Stolen from Tent, Investigation Underway
KUWAIT CITY, March 20: Forensic experts were called to a tent in Mutlaa to collect any potential evidence left behind by thieves who stole KD500 from the tent. The victim, an expatriate born in 1992, disclosed that the stolen money consisted of KD20 and KD10 bills; but refused to point fingers at anyone. The victim works as a guard at a construction site in Mutlaa and resides in a tent near the site. He reported that he had been keeping his savings in a closet inside the tent. Around 11:00 am on the day of the theft, he went to the construction site to take a shower; but upon returning to his tent, he was shocked to find his belongings scattered and the cash missing from the closet. When asked whether anyone knew about the money being stored there, the victim explained that he had kept his salary in the same spot for six months and that no one else was aware of its location. Following this, the Mutlaa Police Station investigator ordered the case to be registered as a misdemeanor under number 51/2025 and instructed detectives to arrest the culprits.
