Bahrain’s Sharia courts set a new benchmark for efficiency last year, resolving 103 per cent of registered cases and reducing the backlog to just 1,533, Justice Minister Nawaf Al Maawda has said.
He revealed comprehensive statistics on marriages, divorces and reconciliation efforts, underscoring significant improvements in family justice across the kingdom.
“We are committed to ensuring swift and accessible justice. The courts now resolve more cases than they receive, proving that our reforms to streamline litigation and harness digital transformation are working,” Mr Al Maawda said, in response to a parliamentary question by MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoodh.
He emphasised that Sharia court processes have been strengthened by modernisation and by the enhanced role of the Family Reconciliation Office, which now serves as a mandatory stage for most family disputes before they reach the courtroom.
The minister revealed that between 2023 and 2025, Sharia courts documented 13,801 marriage contracts, with the majority – 10,139 – being marriages between Bahraini men and Bahraini women.
Breakdown of marriage contracts by nationality:
- Bahraini men to Bahraini women: 10,139
- Bahraini men to foreign women: 1,729
- Bahraini women to foreign men: 1,140
- Foreign couples: 793
“These figures demonstrate the stability of marriage rates in Bahrain and highlight the continued preference for local marital partnerships,” Mr Al Maawda noted.
Marriage contracts by age groups also reflect consistent patterns – 4,066 were between people aged 18 to 25; 5,057 among those aged from 25 to 35; 566 among ages 35 to 45 and 355 among people over 45.
The Family Reconciliation Office continues to play a critical role in maintaining family cohesion, with 4,336 cases handled over the past three years. The reconciliation success rate averaged 40pc, according to ministry statistics.
“Our reconciliation specialists work tirelessly to preserve families, wherever possible. A 40 per cent success rate is significant, considering the global average for similar systems,” Mr Al Maawda said.
He credited the improvements to reforms enacted under Decree-Law 22 of 2015, which made reconciliation a required step before family disputes enter the court system.
From 2023 to 2025, Sharia courts documented 5,607 divorce cases, with nationalities as follows:
- Divorce of Bahraini men from Bahraini women: 3,969
- Divorce of Bahraini men from foreign wives: 909
- Divorce of Bahraini women from foreign husbands: 396
- Divorce of foreign couples: 333
Average ages in divorce cases were 40 for men and 34 for women.
“Understanding these demographic patterns helps us strengthen our support systems, whether in marriage counselling, reconciliation, or social programmes,” the minister explained.
The average duration per case across all Sharia courts was 3.3 months, the ministry revealed.
“Bahrain’s Sharia courts are now resolving cases faster and more effectively than ever before. Our goal is to further reduce court burdens while enhancing transparency and accessibility,” Mr Al Maawda stated.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s long-term commitment to digital transformation, fast-track services, and enhanced family-centred dispute resolution.
“We will continue to invest in modern technologies, human expertise, and restorative justice tools to ensure that every individual can access justice promptly and easily,” Mr Al Maawda said.
The topic is scheduled for debate during Tuesday’s Parliament session.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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