Latest news with #NawafAlMaawda
Daily Tribune
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
More cases resolved than filed last year
More lawsuits were settled in Bahrain last year than were filed, according to Justice Minister, His Excellency Nawaf Al Maawda, with over 59,000 cases brought to a close in 2024 as the courts pressed on with their caseload. The figures came in response to a written question from MP Jalal Kadhem, who sought a breakdown of court activity since the beginning of the current legislative term. He asked for separate counts of civil, criminal and Sharia cases involving Bahrainis and expatriates, along with data on final rulings, pending cases, enforcement and interim orders such as travel bans or asset freezes. In his written reply, the minister said 57,311 new cases had been filed during 2024 across all courts. By the end of the year, 59,280 had been concluded, roughly 103 per cent of those filed, leaving just over 10,200 cases still before the courts. Pattern A similar pattern was recorded the year before. In 2023, 57,615 cases were registered and 60,400 settled. The number of ongoing cases at the close of that year stood at 11,000. The minister also provided figures for cases in which temporary measures had been requested. Between the start of the term and the date of reply, there were 3,922 such lawsuits. Of these, 3,851 had concluded, 63 remained in progress and eight had been put on hold. Final ruling As for enforcement, Al Maawda noted that carrying out a final ruling depends on a party stepping forward to request action, either through a court decision or an enforceable deed. The process then follows the path laid out in Bahrain's Civil and Commercial Execution Law issued by Decree-Law No. 22 of 2021. He added that the ministry continues to support the work of the Supreme Judicial Council in improving access to justice and is making use of electronic tools to speed up case handling and reduce delays.
Gulf Insider
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Shura Blocks Proposal to Extend Traffic Fine Deadline
Faced with over 470,000 traffic offences last year, Shura yesterday rejected a proposal to give drivers more time to pay reduced fines. The draft amendment, approved by MPs in February, would have extended the current seven-day window to 30, allowing offenders a longer period to pay half the minimum fine and avoid court proceedings. Backers of the proposal in Parliament argued that the extra time would help clear minor cases faster and take pressure off the courts. They said many drivers struggled to meet the one-week deadline, particularly given rising living costs. System Justice Minister, His Excellency Nawaf Al Maawda, defended the current system, which lets drivers pay half the minimum fine if they settle within seven days, the full minimum fine between days eight and 30, and at least a quarter of the maximum fine if the case reaches the Public Prosecution. 'By scrapping the seven-day tier, the law removes the step-by-step approach to penalties,' he said. 'It means someone who pays straight away is treated the same as someone who waits a month. That isn't fair.' The government objected to the change. So did the Shura Council's Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee, which argued that stretching the deadline would weaken the purpose of the penalties, which are intended to correct behaviour early. Bad driving 'Fines aren't simply there to raise money,' said Dr Ali Al Rumaihi, who chairs the committee. 'They are part of a system that stops bad driving before it turns deadly.' He noted that Bahrain's roads are under strain, with more than 770,000 vehicles registered and over 17,000 new ones added in 2024. In June that year, 48 per cent of recorded accidents were serious. Speeding made up 28 per cent of traffic violations. Misguided Dr Jehad Al Fadhel, second deputy chairwoman of the Council, called the proposal misguided. She said settlements were meant to be quick and act as a prompt for drivers to rethink their behaviour, not a chance to delay consequences. 'Settlement should not be mistaken for leniency in matters involving lives and property,' she said. 'If you stretch the timeline, you risk weakening the whole system.' She also pointed to the lack of supporting evidence. The number of traffic offences rose from 415,506 in 2022 to 473,563 in 2023, figures she said suggest that the current system is doing its job. Safety Committee rapporteur Ali Abdulla Al Aradi said the Traffic Law was one of Bahrain's most important laws, touching both safety and everyday life. 'Fines only work when they're paid on time,' he said. 'Letting them drag on takes the pressure off those who break the rules. The aim is to correct dangerous habits before they lead to something worse.' He said the proposed amendment clashed with the intent behind Article 56, which was designed to encourage a quick resolution. The Council rejected the bill in principle and returned it to the lower house for further consideration. Also read: The All-New Audi A5: A Game-Changer on Bahrain's Roads
Daily Tribune
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
No extra time for traffic offenders as Shura blocks proposal to extend fine payment deadline
Faced with over 470,000 traffic offences last year, Shura yesterday rejected a proposal to give drivers more time to pay reduced fines. The draft amendment, approved by MPs in February, would have extended the current seven-day window to 30, allowing offenders a longer period to pay half the minimum fine and avoid court proceedings. Backers of the proposal in Parliament argued that the extra time would help clear minor cases faster and take pressure off the courts. They said many drivers struggled to meet the one-week deadline, particularly given rising living costs. System Justice Minister, His Excellency Nawaf Al Maawda, defended the current system, which lets drivers pay half the minimum fine if they settle within seven days, the full minimum fine between days eight and 30, and at least a quarter of the maximum fine if the case reaches the Public Prosecution. 'By scrapping the seven-day tier, the law removes the step-by-step approach to penalties,' he said. 'It means someone who pays straight away is treated the same as someone who waits a month. That isn't fair.' The government objected to the change. So did the Shura Council's Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee, which argued that stretching the deadline would weaken the purpose of the penalties, which are intended to correct behaviour early. Bad driving 'Fines aren't simply there to raise money,' said Dr Ali Al Rumaihi, who chairs the committee. 'They are part of a system that stops bad driving before it turns deadly.' He noted that Bahrain's roads are under strain, with more than 770,000 vehicles registered and over 17,000 new ones added in 2024. In June that year, 48 per cent of recorded accidents were serious. Speeding made up 28 per cent of traffic violations. Misguided Dr Jehad Al Fadhel, second deputy chairwoman of the Council, called the proposal misguided. She said settlements were meant to be quick and act as a prompt for drivers to rethink their behaviour, not a chance to delay consequences. 'Settlement should not be mistaken for leniency in matters involving lives and property,' she said. 'If you stretch the timeline, you risk weakening the whole system.' She also pointed to the lack of supporting evidence. The number of traffic offences rose from 415,506 in 2022 to 473,563 in 2023, figures she said suggest that the current system is doing its job. Safety Committee rapporteur Ali Abdulla Al Aradi said the Traffic Law was one of Bahrain's most important laws, touching both safety and everyday life. 'Fines only work when they're paid on time,' he said. 'Letting them drag on takes the pressure off those who break the rules. The aim is to correct dangerous habits before they lead to something worse.' He said the proposed amendment clashed with the intent behind Article 56, which was designed to encourage a quick resolution. The Council rejected the bill in principle and returned it to the lower house for further consideration.
Daily Tribune
10-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Waqf property income rises 23% to BD5.4mln last year
A rise of 23 per cent in Waqf property income, reaching more than BD5.4 million last year, was disclosed in Parliament yesterday. Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf Minister, His Ex Nawaf Al Maawda, defended the management of the Sunni Waqf Directorate amid questions about unused properties and staff wages. He said 85 per cent of the flats managed by the directorate were currently occupied, with the remaining 15 per cent vacant. 'These are normal figures for any investment,' he told MPs. Employee Responding to a question from MP Mohammed Al Rifai, he added: 'The employee mentioned is not responsible for just one building. He is following up on several projects and also handling maintenance and development.' He said all tenders were opened through an internal committee. 'We deal with all applicants with full transparency,' he said. Lack of detail MP Al Rifai criticised what he described as a lack of detail in the response. 'There are abandoned and unlet properties under the Sunni Waqf,' he said. 'Some are handled by more than one employee even though the sites are near each other, and each employee is paid around BD2,000.' He also voiced concern that some of the properties may be vulnerable to theft. Website In response to a separate question from MP Muneer Suroor, the minister said: 'The Jaafari Waqf Directorate has a website through which all affiliated properties and endowments are displayed.' He said this aimed to make information more accessible and to ensure transparency. He acknowledged difficulties with parking and overcrowding around mosques, saying: 'There is a joint study with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to address these challenges and find solutions suited to each area.'
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Bahrain: Amendments to juvenile justice law approved
Bahrain - The Shura Council unanimously approved government-drafted amendments to the 2021 Juvenile Justice and Protection Law, during its weekly session yesterday. The major reforms in the sentencing of minors have been previously unanimously approved by Parliament. If a juvenile commits a crime punishable by death, the sentence will now be reduced to temporary imprisonment or a minimum of one year in detention. For crimes punishable by life or temporary imprisonment, similar reductions will apply. Judges will have greater flexibility to replace mandatory minimum sentences for misdemeanours with lesser or alternative penalties. Courts will review rehabilitation progress every six months and may modify or terminate penalties based on the child's improvement. 'The proposed legislation reflects a national commitment to protecting children's rights and fostering their reintegration into society through tailored, rehabilitative interventions,' said Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda. 'Courts will now have greater authority to impose flexible, child-focused measures that seek to address the root causes of delinquent behaviour,' he added. 'Instead of placing minors in detention centres, judges may order judicial probation within the child's natural environment. 'This probation, co-ordinated by the Child Protection Centre (CPC) and the Interior Ministry's relevant department, cannot exceed three years.' He added that courts will also have the ability to impose geographical movement restrictions and limit access to certain websites or digital platforms, ranging from two to 12 hours per day – provided these restrictions do not interfere with education, religious practices or work-related duties. 'Judges may require a child to remain at home under the supervision of a parent or responsible adult, who will be obliged to provide regular compliance reports. 'The CPC and Interior Ministry will closely monitor the progress of any child placed under rehabilitation.' Shura Council woman and child committee chairwoman Leena Qassim stressed that the amendments were designed to enhance the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system while safeguarding the child's best interests. 'This legislation strikes a crucial balance between accountability and rehabilitation,' she said. 'We are ensuring that children in conflict with the law are treated fairly and given a real chance at reform. 'Expanding the role of the Child Protection Centre and introducing more flexible judicial measures will provide these children with the guidance and support they need to reintegrate successfully into society.' The committee's rapporteur Dr Fatima Al Kooheji noted that the law also strengthened the role of the CPC in preparing judicial assessments and allows the Interior Ministry to follow up on cases and recommend changes in sentencing at any time – without being bound to specific time frames. 'This law enables courts to impose alternative rehabilitative measures even in felonies if mitigating circumstances exist,' she said. 'It supports judicial monitoring of the child's progress during sentence execution and enhances CPC's role in follow-up.' The new amendments further expand the types of alternative penalties, including prohibiting access to specific websites, mandatory admission to psychological care facilities and periodic attendance at security agencies. 'The goal is to adopt rehabilitative measures that reduce incarceration, protect family bonds and facilitate reintegration,' Dr Al Kooheji explained. 'The law designates the Interior Ministry as the main agency for enforcement, with implementation co-ordinated with the Supreme Judicial Council and the Public Prosecution.' The legislation has been referred to His Majesty King Hamad for ratification. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
