A large part of commercial activity in Kuwait depends on a decision taken by a ministry, a regulatory authority or a public institution, and on how quickly it is taken. Challenges to those decisions are heard by the Administrative Court, established by Law No. 20 of 1981, which has jurisdiction over annulment and over compensation for the loss an unlawful decision has caused.
Most of the value is in the stage before litigation. We prepare and pursue applications for permits, licences and approvals, respond to inspections, notices and administrative penalties, and make the grievance and reconsideration submissions that often resolve a matter without a claim. Where that fails, we bring proceedings for annulment on the grounds of excess of authority, defect in form or procedure, absence of reason, or misuse of power, together with the application for a stay of execution that keeps the position open while the case is heard.
We advise on sector-specific regulation in healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, construction, trade and transport, on labour and residence requirements, on data obligations, and on the compliance frameworks Kuwaiti regulators expect a licensed institution to hold and to be able to produce. We also act for entities dealing with the State Audit Bureau and responding to parliamentary and ministerial enquiries.