Minister of Justice Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait announced during a Saturday press briefing that the judiciary has reached 87 percent Kuwaitization with an interim goal of 92 percent by September 30 2027 before attaining full nationalization by September 30 2030. He described the target as both a sovereign right and a central national objective while stressing that the judicial authority possesses the full capability to manage its responsibilities competently with Kuwaiti staff alone. Al-Sumait made the remarks after inspecting electronic written examinations at Kuwait University for recent graduates seeking appointment as junior legal researchers a position that leads to public prosecutor Grade C roles.
KUNA reported that the latest examination cycle drew 1295 applicants from the 2024-2025 academic year with 632 candidates meeting the criteria to sit for the tests under a new electronic system designed to guarantee transparency and equal opportunity. The minister who was joined by Kuwait University President Dr Dina Al Milim and senior justice officials emphasized that sons and daughters of the nation compete on identical terms for these positions. This recruitment drive supports the broader plan to accelerate the replacement of expatriate judicial personnel.
Earlier this year the ministry achieved complete Kuwaitization of the General Department of Experts effective in August according to acting department head Dr Fawaz Boodai who spoke to KUNA. That step covered all positions for expert engineers accountants and legal researchers and represented the first phase of a development plan launched by Al-Sumait in May. Subsequent phases will focus on equitable workload distribution periodic staff rotations performance improvements and full digitization of services.
Al-Sumait separately noted that the second phase of the national legislative modernization program finished approximately six months ahead of its original timeline with the review of about 25 percent of Kuwait’s laws through new statutes amendments and repeals. Court cases have fallen by nearly 21 percent overall since the reforms began with even steeper declines recorded at higher judicial levels. These changes form part of a wider effort to streamline procedures and reduce litigation backlogs across the system.
In parallel the banking sector has attained a 79 percent Kuwaitization rate with 11452 Kuwaiti nationals employed as of June according to figures from the Kuwait Banking Association. The association’s data show that Kuwaiti bank staff have grown from only 1543 in 2000 reflecting sustained policy emphasis on national employment in the private sector. Banks have contributed roughly 380 million dinars since 1992 to programs that train and place Kuwaiti talent in financial roles.
The justice minister highlighted that the new Judicial Organization Law establishes a maximum five-year window to complete Kuwaitization of both the judiciary and public prosecution. He indicated that admissions for the next cohort of junior legal researchers will reopen in November for 2025-2026 graduates to maintain momentum. Al-Sumait expressed confidence that the phased approach combined with enhanced training will ensure seamless continuity of judicial services throughout the transition.
