Page 84 - The Arabian Gulf States_Neat

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'! 22 THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE ARABIAN GULF STATES
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British extra-territorial jurisdiction, which had been exercised in
I Kuwait over British subjects and foreigners since 1925, was finally
relinquished in early 1961. Consequently, Kuwait national courts
i assumed jurisdiction over foreigners in all civil and criminal matters.1
i The new Constitution of November 1962 declares the independence
of the Judiciary which used to be in the past a monopoly of the ruling
family. The Judiciary, which is, administratively, subject to the
authority of the Minister of Justice, has recruited legally qualified
judges from some Arab countries. The new national courts, which are
classified into civil and criminal courts and courts of appeal, apply
• 1 the Western-inspired laws, promulgated for Kuwait during the last
few years. Concerning Sharifah law, its application has been confined
m i to matters of family and personal status.2

the Organisation of Justice, issued under Decree No. 19, 1959, al-Kuwait al-Yawm,
Suppl. No. 255, 28 December 1959; Company Law, issued under Decree No. 15,
1960, al-Kuwait al-Yawm, Suppl. No. 276, 23 May 1960; Criminal Law, issued
under Decree No. 16, 1960, al-Kuwait al-Yawm, Suppl. No. 278, 11 June 1960;
Law of Criminal Procedure, issued under Decree No. i 7, I960, al-Kuwait al-Yawm,
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Suppl. No. 279, 13 June 1960; Labour Law, issued under Decree No. 18, 1960,
al-Kuwait al-Yawm, Suppl. No. 280, 20 June 1960; Civil and Commercial Law of
IS
Procedure, issued under Decree No. 6, 1960, al-Kuwait al-Yawm, Suppl. No. 267,
21 March 1960.
1 For British extra-territorial jurisdiction in Kuwait, see Kuwait Order in Coun­
cil, 1959, Persian Gulf Gazette, Suppl. No. 25, August 1959. For the transfer of
this jurisdiction to Kuwaiti courts, see Kuwait al-Yawm, No. 262, 14 February
1960. And see Persian Gulf Gazette, Suppl. Nos 28-30, April, July, October I960.
2 See Europa Publications, op. cit., p. 391.