Bahraini courts to limit sessions

TDT | Manama

Bahrain is taking steps to limit the number of people in courthouses by reducing its sessions out of concerns about the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Supreme Judicial Council Vice-President and Cassation Court President announced the decision following a consultative meeting with Bahrain Bar Society. As per the decision, courthouses will postpone cases by two months, starting March 22. The procedures are taken to ensure social distancing as per the guidelines issued to minimise the number of people in courts at once.

Court users are advised to review how their specific matters are affected. The decision follows an eleven-point instruction released on Tuesday by HRH the Crown Prince intensifying Bahrain’s effort to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. According to Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, over 18,000 cases had been confirmed in 18 countries in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean region, which includes Pakistan and Afghanistan as well and Middle Eastern and North African states.

That includes 1,010 deaths in seven countries. Bahrain has encouraged all to work from home wherever possible while limiting public gathering to 20 people or fewer. It closed all recreational facilities including cinemas and directed restaurants and food outlets to work only as a takeaway, delivery service. All schools and universities are also closed, until further notice, as part of the wide-ranging decisions. 

Saudi courts postpone cases

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Judicial Council has also announced postponing hearing starting 16 March 2020, until further notice. The decision, it said, was part of precautionary measures to avoid the spread of the virus and to ensure the safety of the people.  Saudi Courts had also rescheduled or postponed its session during the suspension period.  It further said will prioritise cases upon resuming normal functioning and inform parties electronically.  Saudi Arabian courts will continue to consider urgent cases or that require immediate decisions. 

Dubai suspends hearings

Reports said that all judicial hearing in Dubai Courts of First Instance, Appeals and Cassation has been adjourned and will consider only urgent matters, criminal cases and appeals involving inmates and detainees.  Issuance of certificates and personal status documents like marriage and divorce certificates have been suspended from March 22 to April 16. Dubai Courts will also stop receiving customers in cases and claims services.

The dual court system in Bahrain

Bahrain has a dual court system, consisting of civil and sharia courts. Sharia courts deal primarily with personal status matters (such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance). Appeals beyond the jurisdiction of the Sharia Court of Appeal are taken to the Supreme Court of Appeal, which is part of the civil system. The civil court system consists of summary courts and a supreme court. Summary courts of the first instance are located in all communities and include separate urf, civil, and criminal sections. The supreme courts hear appeals from the summary courts. The Supreme Court of Appeal is the highest appellate court in the country. The Supreme Court of Appeal also decides on the constitutionality of laws and regulations.