A bill that doubles the financial threshold for cases that may be proven through witness testimony from BD500 to BD1,000 is set for debate during the Shura Council session on Sunday.
A Shura committee has recommended approving a draft law to amend Bahrain’s Law of Evidence in civil and commercial matters.
The legislative and legal affairs committee said the move would modernise court procedures and reflect economic changes.
The proposal, initiated by the Shura Council, seeks to amend Articles 61 and 62 of Law No 14 of 1996.
If approved, it would let witnesses testify to confirm or deny civil transactions worth up to BD1,000, instead of the current limit of BD500. Committee chairwoman Dalal Al Zayed said the amendment responds to practical challenges faced by litigants and courts alike.
“The purpose of this amendment is to strengthen the right to litigation and remove unnecessary procedural obstacles that may prevent individuals from proving their claims,” Ms Al Zayed said.
“The current threshold no longer reflects the value of everyday transactions or the changing purchasing power of money.”
She noted that while written evidence remains the primary method of proof under Bahraini law, rigid thresholds have restricted access to justice in low-value disputes, particularly where transactions rely on trust or informal arrangements.
“Evidence rules should serve justice, not hinder it,” she said. “When procedural rules become disconnected from real-life practices, it becomes necessary for the legislature to intervene.”
The committee found the bill to be constitutionally sound and legally appropriate. It received support from the government, the Supreme Judicial Council, the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry and Parliament. The Bahrain Bar Association also raised no objections.
Ms Al Zayed said the amendment is fully aligned with Bahrain’s constitutional guarantee of the right to litigation.
“Proof is a fundamental pillar of access to the courts,” she said. “Unjustified restrictions on evidence can, in practice, undermine this right. This amendment restores balance while maintaining judicial safeguards.”
The committee also highlighted that the proposed threshold brings Bahrain closer to regional legislative standards. Comparable laws in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE allow witness testimony for significantly higher-value disputes.
The committee said the amendment would help streamline court proceedings and improve judicial efficiency by simplifying procedures in lower-value cases.
“Raising the evidentiary limit contributes to faster dispute resolution and supports the efficient operation of the justice system,” Ms Al Zayed pointed out.
Shura members will be notified about visits by Shura Council chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh to Morocco, Russia and Jordan.
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