Court fines can now trim your paycheck

20/04/2025

KUWAIT CITY, April 20: The official gazette “Kuwait Al-Youm” published Decree-Law No. 62/2025, which amends certain provisions of the Code of Procedures and Trials Law, originally issued under Law No. 17/1960. According to Article 1 of the decree-law, Articles 188 and 230 have been replaced with new provisions. Article 188 now states that the objection period is one week.

For misdemeanor cases, this one-week period begins from the date the convicted person is notified of the verdict issued in absentia.
For felony cases, the period starts from the date of the convicted person’s arrest, provided the judgment was not previously served in person

If the objection is not filed within this time frame, the verdict may only be appealed if it is eligible for appeal before the Court of Appeals. The text permits notifying the convicted person by default, via email, or any modern means of communication that can be preserved and retrieved, under the terms and conditions stipulated in the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law. If serving the judgment directly is not possible, the notice may be delivered at the convict’s residence to a relative or in-law living with them, or to one of their dependents.

If this is also not possible, or if the recipient refuses to accept the notice, it shall be published in the official gazette and posted in prominent locations in the relevant government agency, at the convict’s residence or workplace, or any other place deemed appropriate by the competent authority. Article 230 stipulates that, if the imposed fine is not paid, it shall be collected through compulsory execution from the convict’s assets. The Public Prosecution may also recover the fine through monthly deductions not exceeding one-quarter of the convict’s salary, wage, national labor support, or pension. Upon the convict’s request, the President of the court that issued the verdict, the Public Prosecutor, or an authorized delegate may issue an order allowing the fine to be paid in installments or deferred for a reasonable period, provided that full payment is completed within a maximum of five years.

By Jaber Al-Hamoud
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff