Official court language in Bahrain is Arabic but English is allowed

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

English could be used as a medium for court proceedings if there is an agreement between disputing parties before filing a suit. The decision came in an amendment issued by the His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for some provisions of the Judicial Authority Law.

The amendment also asserts Arabic as the official language of the courts in the Kingdom. It also requires courts to hear litigants and witnesses who do not know Arabic through an interpreter.

As per article (4) of the law, courts should hear cases through an interpreter after taking an oath. However, parties of a dispute may agree in writing, before filing a lawsuit, to choose a language other than Arabic in court proceedings.

Justice Minister is authorised to issue a decision specifying the approved languages other than Arabic based on approval by the Supreme Judicial Council.

English is usable: minister

In a statement, Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, said English could be used in the courtrooms if there is an agreement on this in writing before filing a suit.

“This is within the framework of legal conditions, especially if the language of the contract is not Arabic.”

“This greatly reduces the cost of litigation and allows them to use the language in which they are most proficient in presenting their memoranda and arguments.”

Dispute resolution

The minister also stressed the importance of amending the law of the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution. The minister said the amendments expand the scope of the chamber’s jurisdiction to disputes between companies, in which the value of claims exceeds five hundred thousand dinars.

The law also gives powers that increase the effectiveness of the role of judge for the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution in the phase between filing the lawsuit and the formation of the dispute settlement body.