Manama, September 30 (BNA) His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa today issued Decree-Law No. 27 of 2021 amending some provisions of the Judicial Law issued by Decree-Law No. 42 of 2002.
The decree-law stipulates the amendment of Article (4) and Clause (A) of Article (22) of the Judicial Authority Law promulgated by Legislative Decree No. (42) of 2002 as follows:
Article (4):
Arabic is the official language of the courts.
Nevertheless, the court may hear the statements of litigants or witnesses who do not speak Arabic through an interpreter, provided that the latter takes the oath or declares officially that he will tell the truth.
The parties to the dispute may, before filing the lawsuit, agree in writing to choose one of the languages permitted to be used before the courts.
The Minister responsible for justice affairs, after the approval of the Supreme Judicial Council, issues a decree specifying the languages that may be used before non-Arab courts.
The decree specifies the mechanism and scope of application in cases where it is possible to agree on the use of a language other than Arabic according to its value, subject or parties and the terms of that agreement, in addition to the requirements that must be met in the language of the contract subject of the dispute, and the rules regulating translation and hearing witnesses.
Article (22):
A- He must be Bahraini, and a person who belongs to another country may be appointed as a national.
The Prime Minister and the Ministers – each within his jurisdiction – shall implement the provisions of the Decree-Law, and it shall come into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette.
NS