A draft law doubling the financial threshold for cases that may be proven through witness testimony from BD500 to BD1,000 has been unanimously approved by the Shura Council.
The legislation, amending key provisions of the Law of Evidence in civil and commercial matters, will now be referred to His Majesty King Hamad for ratification, following earlier approval by Parliament.
The amendment aims to modernise the legal framework governing evidence and align it with Bahrain’s evolving economic and social realities, according to the Shura Council’s legislative and legal affairs committee.
Committee rapporteur Sabeeka Al Fadhala said the proposed increase reflects changes in purchasing power and the nature of everyday transactions.
“The draft law seeks to raise the value threshold for legal transactions that may be proven, or whose termination may be proven, through witness testimony from BD500 to BD1,000,” committee rapporteur Sabeeka Al Fadhala said during the session.
“This is consistent with the state’s legislative policy to update the legal system and ensure its continued effectiveness.”
Ms Al Fadhala noted that the previous threshold of BD500 had been set in 2009, when the ceiling was increased from BD200 in response to the economic conditions at the time.
“Maintaining the current threshold is no longer compatible with present-day economic realities,” she explained. “Many routine transactions between individuals now exceed BD500 and are often concluded without written documentation, either due to trust or the nature of the relationship between the parties.”
She stressed that the amendment would help simplify litigation procedures and enable individuals to prove their rights in disputes involving amounts of up to BD1,000 using all legally recognised methods of evidence, including witness testimony.
According to Ms Al Fadhala, the amendment is expected to ease the burden on courts and litigants alike in low-value disputes, contributing to greater judicial efficiency and smoother case management.
During the session, committee chairwoman Dalal Al Zayed praised the Supreme Judicial Council and the Bahraini judiciary for keeping pace with legislative developments, noting the ministry’s swift rollout of electronic services that enhance transparency and access for litigants.
“With unanimous approval, the draft law marks another step in Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to modernise its legal system and adapt judicial procedures to contemporary economic conditions,” said Ms Al Zayed.
Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda, who is acting Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister, was present during yesterday’s session.
Shura members were notified about visits by Shura Council chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh to Morocco, Russia and Jordan. They were also notified about a written reply from Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma to a question on higher education institutions by member Dr Anwar Al Sadah.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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