Muscat: Central to these efforts is the establishment of the Investment and Trade Court, a specialised judicial body designed to handle commercial and investment disputes with speed, expertise and transparency.

Institutional reforms have played a key role in reinforcing judicial independence. The Supreme Judicial Council was restructured under Royal Decree No. 35/2022 and placed under the direct supervision of His Majesty the Sultan. The move established an independent judicial authority, empowered to manage courts and judges away from executive influence, while adopting objective standards for judicial appointments, training and continuous professional development.

To enhance efficiency, Oman has introduced new mechanisms to accelerate dispute resolution, including updated legislation and expanded use of technology in case management. Among the most significant measures is the Law on Simplifying Litigation Procedures for Some Disputes, issued by Royal Decree No. 125/2020, which reduced procedural complexity in commercial and civil cases.

This was followed in March 2025 by Royal Decree No. 35/2025, establishing the Investment and Trade Court and setting binding timelines for each stage of commercial and investment lawsuits. The law also introduced a Case Preparation Office staffed by judges and legal assistants to complete documentation, exchange pleadings and prepare cases before hearings, significantly reducing procedural delays.

At the regional level, Oman’s reforms align with broader Gulf Cooperation Council trends aimed at speeding up commercial litigation through binding timetables and digital systems. These measures are expected to improve Oman’s performance in international indicators related to contract enforcement and strengthen its position as a preferred venue for dispute resolution, reducing reliance on foreign courts or arbitration abroad.

Cost reduction has been another pillar of reform. In cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, the Supreme Judicial Council reviewed judicial service fees, resulting in the reduction of 14 fees and the cancellation of five others. A new tiered fee system was also introduced, unifying fees across primary and appellate courts based on claim value, with some fees reduced by more than 95 per cent, ensuring freedom of litigation and improved access to justice, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Fayez bin Mubarak Al Maskari, Director of the Notary Public Affairs Department at the Supreme Judicial Council, said the review forms part of Oman’s strategy to improve the business environment and attract investment by offering high-quality judicial services at balanced costs. He noted that faster procedures, fewer hearings and electronic processes have also helped reduce legal fees and overall litigation costs for investors.

Oman has strengthened its openness to international business by developing clear mechanisms for recognising and enforcing foreign court judgments, while safeguarding national legal sovereignty. The Sultanate is party to several regional agreements, including the GCC Agreement on the Execution of Judgments and the Riyadh Arab Agreement for Judicial Cooperation, facilitating mutual recognition of judgments across member states.

Beyond the formal judiciary, Oman continues to promote alternative dispute resolution, particularly commercial arbitration. The Oman Centre for Commercial Arbitration, established by Royal Decree No. 26/2018 under the supervision of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has emerged as a key platform offering arbitration services aligned with international standards. The centre recently completed an updated draft of its arbitration rules, incorporating electronic procedures and modern case management practices.

Legal experts say demand for arbitration is expected to rise, especially in sectors such as construction, energy and information technology, where speed, confidentiality and technical expertise are critical.

Commenting on the reforms, lawyer and legal consultant Ziyad bin Ali Al-Balushi told the Oman News Agency that Oman’s commercial judiciary has entered a new phase of institutional and organisational development. He described the Investment and Trade Court as a pivotal step towards specialised economic justice, combining speed, accuracy and technological integration.

Al-Balushi also highlighted complementary initiatives, such as specialised rental dispute committees, which have eased pressure on general courts and provided fast, effective resolution mechanisms. He stressed that a sophisticated and transparent judicial system is a cornerstone of investor confidence, alongside economic incentives.

With legislative updates to the Commercial Companies Law and Bankruptcy Law, expanded digital platforms for litigation, and closer integration between courts and arbitration, Oman is building a modern judicial ecosystem.