Judicial system - Kuwait

Judicial system of Kuwait functions in conformity with the Amiri Decree No. 19/1959. The court structure is categorized in hierarchical order. The Courts of First Instance, The Courts of Appeal and the Constitutional Court are the three levels. The Courts of First Instance ("Kulya Court') which handle civil, commercial, personal status and penal matters is the lowest court in this hierarchy. Judgements from court of first instance are exposed to appeal before the Court of Appeal. However, Judgements in cases involving misdemeanors punishable by less than three years of imprisonment or fines of less than 250 Kuwaiti dinars cannot be appealed to a higher level court; commercial and civil judgements involving fines less than 1000 dinars are considered to be final.

The cases are classified into Civil, Commercial and Criminal categories. The Penal Code governs the general provisions applicable to crimes, penalties and culpable acts. Corporate and Commercial Laws are applicable for commercial disputes which in sequence will be interpreted in accordance to the Code of Civil and Commercial Procedures, the Law of Evidence and the Law of Criminal Procedures besides the underlying laws. The concept of precedent is not generally followed as a mode of practice yet decisions of higher courts are respected. more..