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  DOHA, QATAR

   ABU DHABI, UAE

 Click on a link below to find out more about our experience in the Middle East Region.

  EGYPT

  ISRAEL

  JORDAN

  KUWAIT

 KUWAIT

Kuwait’s government structure is a nominal constitutional monarchy, and its legal system is based upon civil law.  Kuwait has adopted a systematic codification of most of its ordinary law, with precedent playing a minor role in this system. Shari’a law is still an important source of law in Kuwait and is particularly predominant in social and family law matters. The Kuwaiti judicial system functions on a three-tiered basis for both civil and criminal matters.  Most material commercial and criminal matters typically arise in the Court of First Instance.  Appeals are heard first by the Court of Appeals, and ultimately by the Supreme Court (the Court of Cassation). The Constitutional Court may review the constitutionality of laws. Specialized courts exist to handle minor offenses or small claims.

 In general, foreign enterprises are permitted to do business in Kuwait in cooperation with local partners who own at least 51 percent of the capital of the enterprise, or alternatively through representational agreements with local agents. There are exceptions in the law that allow direct foreign capital investment and full foreign ownership in many sectors with approval of the Direct Foreign Investment Office, which is headed by the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.  Eligible companies receive a 10-year tax holiday, total or partial exception on customs duties on imports that are required for their projects, and legal guarantees against confiscation, expropriation or nationalization of their projects.

 The population of Kuwait is 2.2 million, of which 1.3 million are non-nationals. Although its economy is relatively small (its 2003 GDP was $42.8 billion), Kuwait maintains a comparatively open economy, which currently is experiencing extremely high growth rates similar to those in a number of other Gulf economies.  Kuwait maintains about 10 percent of the world’s proven crude oil revenues and as a result petroleum accounts for approximately one-half of GDP, 95 percent of export revenues and 90 percent of government income.

 Services, including finance, real estate, trade, hotels and restaurants account for about 40 percent of GDP.  Other industry including chemicals, desalinization and construction account for most of remaining GDP.  Agriculture accounts for less than 1 percent of GDP; except for fish, most food is imported, with the warehousing, cold storage and regional distribution of foodstuffs making up an important part of the non-oil economy of the country.

 Kuwait’s major export receiving partners include Japan (25 percent), South Korea (13 percent), the United States (12 percent), Singapore (10 percent) and the Netherlands (4.5 percent).  The United States is Kuwait’s major importer, accounting for 13 percent of imports, followed by Japan at 11 percent.

Patton Boggs has an extensive history in Kuwait.  Our current assignments include:
  • representing the State of Kuwait (through the Embassy and Ministry of Commerce and Industry) on Kuwait’s efforts with the U.S. Government to establish a Free Trade Agreement;
  • advising a consortium, including two of the largest companies in Kuwait, on a major energy project;
  • representing one of Kuwait’s largest financial institutions on a range of legal matters;
  • counseling one of Kuwait’s leading investment firms on investment initiatives;
  • serving as counsel to the U.S.-based not-for-profit American-Kuwaiti Alliance;
  • representing a leading Kuwaiti business in a major government contracts dispute;
  • assisting a Kuwaiti real estate firm negotiate a hotel management agreement; and
  • advising the National Union of Kuwaiti Students (NUKS), the organization of Kuwaiti students studying in the U.S., on a pro bono basis.

Patton Boggs offers a full range of legal services in Kuwait both through its offices in the United States, its regional office in Doha, Qatar, and also through close cooperation with the prominent Kuwaiti law firm of Mishari Al-Ghazali.  Established in 1992, this law firm has emerged as one of the leading full service law firms in Kuwait City and is also the nation’s largest law firm, employing more than 40 Kuwaiti and foreign professionals. The firm has a distinguished client base including more than 20 percent of the major corporations listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange. 

Affiliation:

Mishari Al-Ghazali Firm

Office Address
Chamber of Commerce Building, 1st Floor
Al-Shuhada Street

Postal Address
P.O. Box 26161
Safat 13122
Kuwait

Telephone: (965) 802-234
 (965) 243-9790/1
Fax: (965) 242-2895

E-mail: