KUWAIT CITY, Oct 24: The recent implementation of the third fingerprint system, known as "presence," has caused confusion in several departments and institutions, including the Palace of Justice. According to informed sources, some judicial departments have been forced to adjourn sessions due to secretaries requesting permission to leave early in order to complete the fingerprint process before the deadline. Sources have told that court officials had contacted the Ministry of Justice to report that some employees, particularly session secretaries, were unable to complete the fingerprint process due to their work obligations, highlighting the need for a reconsideration of the procedure as it disrupts court operations.

The confusion has affected court sessions, with some starting at 9:00 a.m. in the General Court and extending beyond 1:00 p.m., and sessions in the Appeal and Cassation Courts beginning after 9:30 a.m. and running past 1:00 p.m.

Implementing the third fingerprint system has disrupted court sessions, with some judicial departments postponing sessions as secretaries request to leave mid-day to complete the process. This situation has prompted court officials to request that the Ministry of Justice reconsider the third fingerprint requirement, especially for employees working as session secretaries, given its negative impact on the smooth running of court proceedings. 

In another development, the legislative amendment passed by the National Assembly regarding the law establishing the administrative department has led to a significant drop in the number of administrative cases filed daily. Sources revealed that the number of cases has dropped by 93%, from 100 cases per day to just 7, following the increase in filing fees from 10 dinars to 100 dinars. This reduction reflects the lack of seriousness in previous claims when the fee was lower, and the higher cost has deterred many litigants from pursuing administrative cases.

Additionally, the Civil Service Bureau recently announced new regulations for evening work in ministries and government agencies. Sources confirmed that the Ministry of Justice is considering implementing evening work in its sectors, though discussions on holding court sessions during the evening have not yet taken place. The Judicial Council, responsible for the judicial system, would need to address this matter. However, the courts sector has been holding afternoon sessions in some general and appeal courts for approximately 15 years, depending on workload.

The Ministry of Justice also announced enhancements to services for paying travel ban orders, rent payments, and fines through the government’s "Sahel" app. These services allow users to select cases for which they wish to pay financial dues, and once payments are completed, restrictions and bans will be lifted immediately.

Furthermore, the courts sector, particularly in the misdemeanor and felony courts of Al-Raqqai and the Palace of Justice, is facing staffing shortages due to the increased burden caused by the rise in the number of judicial circuits, which are established annually in response to the growing caseload.