Latest news with #SupremeJudiciaryCouncil


Times of Oman
14-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
International symposium in Muscat explores Future of AI in Judicial Work
Muscat — The international symposium titled 'Foreseeing Artificial Intelligence in Judicial Work" commenced today in Muscat, addressing key issues related to the legal, technical, and ethical challenges of AI integration in the judiciary. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Ghosn Hilal Al Alawi, Chairman of the State Audit Institution, the event is organized by the Supreme Judiciary Council. The symposium examined solutions and proposals to ensure the effective and secure use of AI, anticipate its potential impact on judicial systems, and present recommendations on technological advancements to enhance justice and improve judicial efficiency. Discussions also focused on future perspectives for smart legal training in the justice sector and fostering sustainable innovation and development in judicial institutions. The symposium featured multiple sessions, including one on 'Legal, Ethical, and Security Challenges of AI in Judicial Work," which covered topics such as transparency and accountability in AI-driven judiciary, personal data protection in AI applications, algorithmic biases and their mitigation, and cybersecurity in smart judicial systems. Another session, titled 'AI Applications in Judicial Work," included four working papers: analyzing legal texts using AI (benefits and challenges), the admissibility of algorithmic outputs in criminal court, AI applications in judicial investigations (innovative tools and techniques), and AI's role in training human resources in judicial institutions. Another session, 'Future Developments and International Cooperation in AI for Judicial Work," explored the impact of AI on human genome accuracy and its future role in genetic evidence analysis, international collaboration in developing AI technologies for justice, and foresight scenarios for AI in judiciary based on global experiences. The symposium revolved around three main themes: legal, ethical, and security challenges of AI in judiciary; AI applications in judicial work; and future developments and international cooperation in AI for justice. The event aims to discuss future visions for AI in the judiciary, anticipate the potential impact of these technologies on judicial systems, propose technological advancements to enhance justice and efficiency, and encourage sustainable innovation in judicial institutions.


The National
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Iraqi court drops forgery charges against former parliament speaker
A Baghdad court has dropped the forgery charges brought against former parliament speaker Mohammed Al Halbousi that led to his dismissal in 2023, his office announced on Sunday. In early 2023, Sunni MP Laith Al Dulaimi accused Mr Al Halbousi of forging his signature and the date on a resignation letter. After a legal battle, Iraq 's Federal Supreme Court ruled that Mr Al Halbousi and Mr Al Dulaimi be removed from their jobs. In a statement, Mr Al Halbousi's office said that "the Iraqi judiciary acquitted" him "of the charges previously brought against him." It added that the courts "dismissed the complaints" and closed the investigation. Several documents on the appeal processes and the ruling were also published by his office. There was no statement from Iraq's Supreme Judiciary Council on Sunday. Mr Al Halbousi first took the influential role of speaker of parliament in 2018 with the support of Iraq's pro-Iran bloc, and then again in 2022 following early elections. He leads the Taqadom party, which is known for his rapid ascent in Iraqi politics and as a interlocutor for many western and Arab political figures. Iraq's 329-member parliament is dominated by a coalition of pro-Iran Shiite parties. Under an unofficial agreement between political parties, Iraq's presidency – a largely ceremonial role – is held by a Kurd, while the prime minister's post is reserved for a Shiite and that of speaker of parliament for a Sunni. Other government posts are divided among the country's political parties based on their religious and ethnic backgrounds. It is unclear if Mr Al Halbousi will seek reinstatement. Iraq will hold parliamentary elections on November 11 and will be the sixth vote since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.


Observer
24-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
Investment and Trade Court to boost business environment
The establishment of the Investment and Trade Court in Oman represents a significant advancement in the country's legal framework aimed at enhancing its business environment and attracting foreign investment. This initiative, directed by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, is designed to address commercial disputes with efficiency and professionalism, thereby fostering investor confidence. The primary objective of the Investment and Trade Court is to create a specialised legal body that can handle commercial disputes swiftly. This court will ensure that litigants' rights are protected while also aligning with international standards for dispute resolution. The need for such a court arises from the recognition that a transparent and efficient judicial system is crucial for boosting confidence among both local and foreign investors. One of the most notable benefits of establishing this court is the expected reduction in case durations related to commercial disputes. By streamlining procedures, the court aims to deliver quicker verdicts, which will alleviate the financial burden on businesses involved in protracted legal battles. This efficiency is essential for maintaining a competitive business environment. According to the Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC), the establishment of the Investment and Trade Court also reflects the continued commitment of the judiciary to play its role and lay the foundations of justice and reinforce the rule of law in the Sultanate of Oman. The SJC clarified that the Investment and Trade Court has jurisdiction to hear all lawsuits that involve a trader and are related to their commercial activities. It also hears disputes arising from investment contracts including lawsuits between partners or shareholders or between any of them and the company, as the case may be, in commercial companies including public shareholding companies listed in the stock market. The SJC affirmed that the establishment of specialised courts represents one of the most important strategic objectives of the Supreme Judicial Council's long-term strategic plan for 2024-2040, which aims to develop the judicial system in the Sultanate of Oman and adopt the best judicial practices worldwide, including specialised judiciary. This will make the Omani judiciary more efficient, given the speed with which specialised courts resolve disputes while enhancing performance and ensuring the legally mandated guarantees for litigants. This will achieve prompt justice, contribute to improving the business environment and accelerate economic development. The new court reinforces Oman's commitment to protecting investors' rights. A well-structured legal system reassures potential investors about their investments' safety, making Oman a more attractive destination for capital inflows. It is also expected that this initiative could improve Oman's global rankings regarding ease of doing business. By facilitating faster resolutions of trade-related disputes, the Investment and Trade Court will contribute to economic growth within Oman and a stable legal environment is vital for achieving these ambitious economic goals. The court will be affiliated with the Supreme Judicial Council, ensuring that it operates under established judicial norms while focusing specifically on investment and trade matters. The Royal Decree No 35/2025 outlines its jurisdiction over lawsuits involving merchants and disputes arising from investment contracts. The establishment of the Investment and Trade Court in Oman marks a pivotal step towards modernising its legal infrastructure to better accommodate foreign investments. By prioritising swift dispute resolution and reinforcing investor protections, Oman positions itself as an increasingly attractive destination for international capital, ultimately contributing to sustainable economic development aligned with its Vision 2040 objectives.


Observer
23-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
Investment and Commercial Court established in Oman
Muscat: The Royal Decree established the Investment and Commercial Court and promulgated its law. It is affiliated with the Supreme Judicial Council and its headquarters is in Muscat Governorate. The court shall report to the Supreme Judiciary Council and shall have headquarters in Muscat Governorate. Its specialties will be all lawsuits in which one of the parties is a merchant and related to his commercial activities. Disputes arising from the investment contract. Its president will be appointed by a decision of the Vice President of the Supreme Judicial Council Its judges will be from the Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeal, and the Courts of First Instance. The Vice-President of the Supreme Judicial Council shall decide on its headquarters, scope of jurisdiction, and establishment in the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. The primary circuits, consisting of 3, are competent to adjudicate: Claims exceeding RO100,000 or claims are not valued. The problems are decided by one judge if claims whose value does not exceed RO100,000. The court will be an anchor of justice for traders and investors and its Procedure System includes electronic mechanisms for registering cases and all others. The Court's General Assembly consists of all its judges and is concerned with matters stipulated in the Court's Law. Under the supervision of the execution judge, it is concerned with adjudicating all substantive and temporary execution disputes, whatever they may be, and with issuing judgments, orders, and decisions related to execution. The Court's Case Preparation Office consists of a president from among the Court's judges and many assistant members and is concerned with preparing the case under the procedures stipulated in the Court's Law Appeals: Adjudicating appeals submitted to it regarding judgments and execution orders issued by the court's primary chambers. Three judges depending on the circumstances, and each circuit is headed by its most senior judge. Each circuit is headed by its most senior judge.


Arab Times
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
‘NO ONE ABOVE THE LAW, COURTS MUST ACT IMPARTIALLY'
KUWAIT CITY, March 17 : His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah paid a visit to the Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC) on Sunday evening on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. He was accompanied by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah and other senior officials. They were warmly welcomed by SJC President and President of the Court of Cassation Dr. Adel Bouresli, Minister of Justice Nasser Yusuf Al-Sumait and Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice Tareq Ali Al-Asfour. In a speech to the judiciary top brass, His Highness the Amir said, 'Together with my brother His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah and my brother companions, we are pleased to visit you on a blessed night of the holy month of Ramadan.' He praised the role of the judiciary authority of Kuwait as 'the mainstay of justice and stability,' in the country and a source of pride for all Kuwaitis. The cornerstone in our quest for prosperity are a comprehensive security and a credible, professional and impartial judiciary ensuring justice for everybody, he said, affirming that 'nobody has authority over judges.' His Highness the Amir urged the judicial authority to act impartially, uphold the rule of law, and ensure the rights and freedoms of everybody, away from any personal considerations. He outlined three main requests for the judiciary to work on as early as possible; First, to speed up the Kuwaitization of the judicial and the subordinate jobs, Second, to put fear of Allah, the Almighty, above all considerations while making verdicts, And third, to shorten the period of a prosecution and settling the disputes. His Highness the Amir took pride in the growing participation of women in the judiciary, saying it is a historic stride in the way to woman empowerment which reflects Kuwait's commitment to ensuring gender equality. He voiced hope for adopting legislation that could modern the judicial work, facilitate litigation and prosecution, and speed up the digitization of the judicial authority and Public Prosecution. He lauded the roles of the judicial and the executive authorities as 'two wings of the leadership' helping realize the aspirations of the people and protecting their interests in the framework of the Constitution. Concluding, His Highness the Amir expressed best wishes for the judiciary people and all sons of Kuwait. Meanwhile, the President of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and the Court of Cassation Dr. Adel Bouresli has vowed to proceed with boosting and cementing the rules of truth and justice to integrate all judiciary bodies in all fields. Bouresli gave a speech during His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's visit to the SJC on Sunday evening on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. His Highness the Amir was accompanied by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah and other senior officials. Bouresli expressed his honor and pride for His Highness the Amir's visit which showed strong support and follow legislative authority and its bodies. Upon the directives of His Highness the Amir, Bouresli vowed to apply law upon all as a push for the country's sustainable development path to maintain Kuwait as a home for security, justice, and safety. He stressed working on all levels to remove all obstacles facing individuals through facilitating access to services, in line with a developed inclusive judiciary system. Bouresli prayed to Allah Almighty to bestow perpetual good health on His Highness the Amir, and further security, stability, progress, and prosperity to Kuwait. He dedicated His Highness the Amir a souvenir on this occasion. (KUNA)