Kuwait Moves Non-Criminal Capital Markets Disputes to New Economic Circuits Under Decree-Law No. 91 of 2026

Kuwait has issued Decree-Law No. 91 of 2026 amending Law No. 7 of 2010 on the establishment of the Capital Markets Authority and the regulation of securities activity, as reported by Times Kuwait. Under the amendment, non-criminal disputes arising under the Capital Markets Authority Law will be referred to the Economic Circuits established under Decree-Law No. 88 of 2026. Criminal offences under the Capital Markets Authority Law remain subject to the general rules governing criminal jurisdiction and procedures. The decree-law repeals seven articles of the existing law (Articles 108 to 113 and Article 116), which set out the separate Capital Markets Court framework. The Economic Circuits established under Decree-Law No. 88 of 2026 are also reported to cover matters relating to companies, banking, competition and public tenders. The changes are tied to the implementation of Decree-Law No. 88 of 2026 and are scheduled to take effect on 1 October 2027. Cases already filed before that date will continue before the Capital Markets Court until a final judgment is issued. For companies, investors and market participants in Kuwait, the amendment consolidates a range of commercial and financial disputes under a single specialised judicial structure. Businesses with securities-related matters may wish to review the transitional arrangements ahead of the effective date.