Page 62 - The Arabian Gulf States_Neat

Ixii THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE ARABIAN GULF STATES

4. The Judiciary
Since 1970, a Ministry of Justice has been established in Oman.
However, on 1 January 1972, the Ministry of Justice was
amalgamated with the Ministry of Interior in one ministry known as
the Ministry of Interior and Justice.1 The establishment of a
Ministry of Justice did not seem to signify any change in the judicial
organisation that existed prior to 1970. As in the past, justice still
seems to emanate from the Sultan, who exercises it, through his
personally appointed qadis, within the limitations and conditions
provided by Shari’a Law.2

B. Legislation
The Sultan performs legislative functions as part of his
prerogatives. Before 1970, there existed no modern laws of any
legal significance. However, since 1971, a number of modern civil
laws have been promulgated by the Sultan. Some of these
significant laws include:
Income Tax Decree 1971; Law for the Regulation of Land and the
Distribution of Productive Land, 1972; Law for the Regulation of
Foreign Investment, 1972; Law for the Regulation of Omani
Nationality, 1972; Omani Passport Law 1972; Decree forming a
Committee for the Settlement of Commercial Disputes 1972;
Decree concerning the Territorial Sea, Continental Shelf and the
Fishing Zones of Oman, 1972; Decree Establishing the Planning and
Development Board, 1972; Decree Establishing the Economic and
Development Centre, 1972; Law Establishing the Official Gazette
1972.3 In accordance with this Law, all laws and decrees passed by
the Sultanate shall have legal effect from the date of their
publication in the Official Gazette.

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1. Arab Report & Record (1972), p. 12.
2. For British exercise of foreign jurisdiction in Muscat and Oman prior to 1967,
and for the termination of that jurisdiction on 1 Jan. 1967, see this book at p. 19,
below. See also P.G. Gaz. (Suppl.) 1952-1967; Ibid (Suppl.) No. 53. 1967.
3. Texts of the above-mentioned laws are published in: The Compilation of
Operative Laws, Sultanate of Oman, 30 November 1972 (Sultanic Press,
Muscat).
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