Oman Establishes Investment and Trade Court to Strengthen Business Environment
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has reaffirmed that the newly established Investment and Trade Court will play a pivotal role in enhancing Oman’s business environment by fostering legal stability and attracting foreign investments. The initiative aligns with the country’s ongoing efforts to address contemporary legal challenges and support sustainable economic growth.
The establishment of the Investment and Trade Court reflects the commitment of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to introducing legal frameworks that encourage investment and drive the development of the commerce sector in the Sultanate of Oman. The court is expected to significantly contribute to the realization of Oman Vision 2040 by ensuring judicial efficiency and reinforcing the principles of justice and rule of law.
Jurisdiction and Scope of the Court
According to the Supreme Judicial Council, the court will handle cases where one party is a merchant or disputes related to commercial activities. Additionally, it will oversee matters concerning investment contracts, including disputes among business partners, shareholders, and companies, particularly trading companies and public joint-stock companies with publicly traded shares.
The Investment and Trade Court will also have jurisdiction over disputes involving commercial assets, foreign capital investment, banking, financial securities, investment and insurance firms—except for damages resulting from car accidents—as well as bankruptcy cases and arbitration requests. Moreover, cases related to patents, trade secrets, industrial models, and other intellectual property rights will fall under its purview, along with those pertaining to competition protection, anti-monopoly regulations, and online commercial transactions. The court will also handle partnership agreements between the government and private sector entities.
Implementation Timeline and Legal Provisions
As per Article (2) of the Royal Decree establishing the court, existing courts will continue reviewing cases that have been filed before the decree takes effect. Meanwhile, Article (5) of the decree specifies that the court’s operations will officially commence on October 1, 2025.
The Supreme Judicial Council emphasized that the establishment of this specialized court is expected to alleviate pressure on the general court system by utilizing a dedicated team of professional and specialized judicial personnel. This initiative marks a significant step toward reinforcing Oman’s judicial infrastructure and ensuring an efficient legal environment for business and investment activities.
