According to the Kuwait News Agency, Minister of Justice Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait announced the completion of the second phase of Kuwait’s judicial replacement plan in line with directives from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Al-Sumait told KUNA that ministerial decisions have been issued ending the secondment of 82 members of the judiciary. This action forms part of efforts to empower national cadres and reduce reliance on expatriate staff in the judicial authority.
The minister’s statement indicated that the percentage of Kuwaiti judges and judicial members will rise to 87 percent by September 30, 2026, per the approved implementation schedule. Al-Sumait added that two additional phases are required to achieve full Kuwaitization, set for October 1, 2030. Ministry of Justice figures from the prior phase completed in 2025 showed the non-Kuwaiti share dropping from 21.5 percent to 17.9 percent.
Al-Sumait stressed to KUNA that the phased replacement strategy aims to strengthen dependence on national expertise and support the continued development of Kuwait’s judicial system. The justice minister expressed appreciation for the contributions of Egyptian judiciary members who served in Kuwait. He praised their efforts in upholding justice and wished them success in the future.
Ministry of Justice announcements in 2025 had already reaffirmed the target of 100 percent Kuwaitization by 2030. The policy forms part of national strategies to prioritize Kuwaiti nationals in public roles across multiple sectors. Government bodies have monitored progress through regular assessments to ensure orderly implementation.
The current advancements follow years of gradual Kuwaitization in the judiciary, where expatriate participation has steadily declined according to successive ministry announcements. Ending remaining secondments will conclude the presence of non-Kuwaiti judicial positions by the end of the decade. Al-Sumait’s latest comments to KUNA highlight the ongoing commitment to these objectives.
