In Custodia Legis
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Court of Appeals Reinstates the Former General Prosecutor (Mar. 28, 2013) by George Sadek
On March 27, 2013, the Court of Appeals of
Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Council of Ministers Approves Draft Law Allowing Issuance of Islamic Bonds (Mar. 08, 2013) by George Sadek
On February 27, 2013, the Egyptian Council of Ministers approved a draft law allowing the issuance by the government of Islamic bonds, known as "sukuk." The ...
Topic: Government finance
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Supreme Constitutional Court Declares Draft Election Law Unconstitutional (Feb. 20, 2013) by George Sadek
On February 18, 2013,
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Egypt
New Law Imposes Sanctions on Online Demands for Regime Change (Nov. 19, 2012) by George Sadek
On November 13, 2012, the United Arab Emirates amended Federal Law 2-2006 on electronic crimes. The amended legislation includes provisions that punish anyone convicted of using ...
Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: United Arab Emirates
Government Decides to Postpone Implementation of Real Property Tax Law (Nov. 09, 2012) by George Sadek
On November 4, 2012,
Topic: Taxation
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Judges Oppose Bill on Reorganization of Judiciary (Nov. 06, 2012) by George Sadek
On October 17, 2012, a number of Libyan judges announced their objection to a bill on the reorganization of the judiciary, which had been previously referred ...
Topic: Judges
Jurisdiction: Libya
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Calls for Abolition of Anti-Terrorism Law (Nov. 06, 2012) by George Sadek
On October 28, 2012, the organization Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb issued a statement demanding that the ruling Al Nahda Islamic Party of Tunisia abolish ...
Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: Tunisia
Court Blocks Internet Access to Anti-Islam Film (Oct. 01, 2012) by George Sadek
In an effort to prohibit online access to the anti-Islamic film "The Innocence of Muslims," which was produced in the
Topic: Freedom of speech
Jurisdiction: Lebanon
Parliament Approves Law on Online Publications (Sep. 18, 2012) by George Sadek
On September 11, 2012, the Jordanian National Assembly approved legislation to regulate Internet publications. The new law is designed to standardize the process of launching news ...
Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Jordan
Royal Decree Amends Provisions on Constitutional Court (Aug. 22, 2012) by George Sadek
On August 15, 2012, the King of Bahrain issued a Royal Decree containing Law 38-2012, which amends Law 27-2002 concerning the establishment of the Constitutional Court. ...
Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: Bahrain
Newly Elected Constituent Assembly Appoints a Chairman (Aug. 20, 2012) by George Sadek
On August 10, 2012, members of the elected Constituent Assembly voted to make Mohammed Al Moqrif its new Chairman. Al Moqrif announced that the Assembly will ...
Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Libya
Vote on Final Draft of Constitution Scheduled for April 2013 (Aug. 16, 2012) by George Sadek
On August 14, 2012, the El Nahda Islamic Party of Tunisia announced that the final draft of the country's new Constitution will be submitted for a ...
Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Tunisia
President Issues New Constitutional Declaration (Aug. 15, 2012) by George Sadek
On August 12, 2012, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi issued a new constitutional declaration, repealing the June 2012 Declaration issued by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces ...
Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Court Decision Dissolves a Well-Known Shi'ite Non-Governmental Organization (Aug. 02, 2012) by George Sadek
On July 9, 2012, the Court of First Instance of Bahrain issued a decision dissolving "The Islamic Work Association," considered to be one of the best ...
Topic: Non-governmental organizations
Jurisdiction: Bahrain
Draft Law to Punish Individuals Who Use Social Media to Attack Islam (Aug. 01, 2012) by George Sadek
On July 15, 2012, the Shura Council, also known as the Consultative Assembly, a body that advises the King of Saudi Arabia on legislative matters, announced ...
Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia
Family Court Permits Divorce of a Couple Based on Husband's Smoking Habit (Jul. 19, 2012) by George Sadek
On July 16, 2012, in a landmark decision, the Family Court of Saudi Arabia approved a request for a divorce submitted by a Saudi woman because ...
Topic: Family
Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia
Draft Law to Create Special Court for Crimes Related to the Revolution (Jul. 19, 2012) by George Sadek
On July 16, 2012, Members of the Tunisian Constituent National Assembly submitted draft legislation for consideration that would create a special court for the purpose of ...
Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: Tunisia
Parliamentary Elections Held; Assembly to Draft Laws During Transition (Jul. 13, 2012) by George Sadek
On July 8, 2012, despite the violence plaguing cities in eastern Libya, the country's Supreme Electoral Commission announced that it will begin publishing the results of ...
Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Libya
Council of Ministers Approves Several Laws Regulating Real Estate Mortgage System (Jul. 12, 2012) by George Sadek
On July 2, 2012, the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia approved five laws organizing the lending process, loan purchase and sale transactions, ...
Topic: Real property
Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia
Presidential Decree Reinstates the Dissolved Parliament, Court Invalidates Decree (Jul. 12, 2012) by George Sadek
On July 8, 2012, Egypt's recently elected President Muhammed Morsi issued Decree No. 11-2012 to restore the Parliament, which had been dissolved by a previous decision ...
Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Supreme Constitutional Court Dissolves Parliament (Jun. 28, 2012) by George Sadek
On June 25, 2012, the Kuwaiti Cabinet resigned after the Supreme Constitutional Court dissolved the current parliament and reinstated the previous one. (The Kuwaiti Cabinet ...
Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Kuwait
Supreme Council of Armed Forces Issues a New Supplementary Constitutional Declaration (Jun. 25, 2012) by George Sadek
On June 16, 2012, Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) issued a supplementary constitutional declaration amending provisions of the constitutional declaration of 2011. The ...
Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Supreme Constitutional Court Decision Dissolves One-Third of the Parliament (Jun. 18, 2012) by George Sadek
On June 13, 2012, the Egyptian Supreme Constitutional Court declared two recently drafted laws unconstitutional. The court ruled that paragraph 1 of article 6 of Law ...
Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Former President Convicted of Attempted Murder (Jun. 14, 2012) by George Sadek
In June 2012, the Military Court of Tunisia found former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali guilty in absentia of inciting violence and attempted murder. The court ...
Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Tunisia
Public Prosecution Detains ICC Defense Team for 45 Days (Jun. 14, 2012) by George Sadek
On June 11, 2012, Libyan prosecutorial authorities detained the defense team assigned by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to defend Saif al Islam, the son of ...
Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Libya
Former President Mubarak Sentenced to Life in Prison (Jun. 07, 2012) by George Sadek
On June 2, 2012, the Criminal Court of Egypt sentenced former President Hosni Mubarak to life in prison. The same sentence was meted out to the ...
Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Administrative Court Suspends Presidential Elections and Its Decision is Appealed (May. 11, 2012) by George Sadek
On May 9, 2012, the Supreme Administrative Court of Egypt rendered a decision to halt all procedures related to the upcoming presidential elections. The Court also ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Draft Law Enhancing Punishment for the Crime of Torture Approved (May. 10, 2012) by George Sadek
On May 7, 2012, the Legislative Committee of Egypt's People's Assembly approved the amendment of specific provisions on the crime of torture in the country's penal ...
Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Egypt
New Law to Allow Prime Minister to Select Political Appointees (May. 10, 2012) by George Sadek
On May 8, 2012, the Moroccan Parliament approved a new law that grants the Prime Minister the right to hire the vast majority of public officials ...
Topic: Executive power
Jurisdiction: Morocco
President Extends the State of Emergency (May. 08, 2012) by George Sadek
On May 5, 2012, Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki extended the execution of the State of Emergency Law throughout the country until July 2012. The previous extension ...
Topic: National security
Jurisdiction: Tunisia
People's Assembly Amends Law of 1996 on Military Judiciary (May. 08, 2012) by George Sadek
On May 6, 2012, the Egyptian People's Assembly approved the abolishment of article 6 of the Law on the Military Judiciary. This article allowed the President ...
Topic: Military
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Supreme Electoral Commission Disqualifies Ten Candidates from Presidential Race (Apr. 24, 2012) by George Sadek
On April 15, 2012, the Supreme Electoral Commission of Egypt disqualified ten candidates from the upcoming presidential race because they are in violation of the country's ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Presidential Candidate Files Lawsuit to Prove That His Mother Is Not an American Citizen (Apr. 17, 2012) by George Sadek
On April 9, 2012, Hazem Salah Abu Ismail filed a lawsuit before the Egyptian Administrative Court to prove that his mother is not a dual citizen ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Law Drafted to Ban Members of Mubarak's Regime from Running in Presidential Race (Apr. 16, 2012) by George Sadek
On April 10, 2012, the legislative drafting committee of the People's Assembly approved a bill prohibiting individuals who worked closely with former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Administrative Judicial Court Suspends the Constitutional Panel (Apr. 16, 2012) by George Sadek
On April 10, 2012, the Egyptian Administrative Judicial Court issued a decision suspending the constitutional panel. The suspended panel included 100 members, half of whom were ...
Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Move to Criminalize Normalization of Relations with Israel in the New Penal Code (Mar. 27, 2012) by George Sadek
Some political factions have demanded that the ruling Islamic party in Tunisia, al Nahdah, should insert a provision in the country's penal code criminalizing the act ...
Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Tunisia
Government Rejects Draft Law on the Impeachment of the President (Mar. 27, 2012) by George Sadek
On March 21, 2012, the Assistant Minister of Justice in the current cabinet rejected the draft law submitted by Members of Parliament on the impeachment of ...
Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Supreme Council of Armed Forces Approves Provisions Amending Presidential Election Law (Feb. 01, 2012) by George Sadek
On January 21, Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) issued Decree 12-2012, amending an array of provisions found in Law 174-2005 on presidential elections. ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Law Criminalizing the Creation of Political Parties Repealed (Jan. 12, 2012) by George Sadek
On January 4, 2012, the National Transitional Council of Libya repealed Law 17-1972, which had prohibited the establishment of political parties. The Law was issued under ...
Topic: Politics and government
Jurisdiction: Libya
Political Figures Criticize Draft Election Law (Jan. 12, 2012) by George Sadek
On January 5, 2012, many political figures criticized the draft law on the election of members to Libya's Constituent Assembly. The critics stated that the law ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Libya
Lawsuit Seeks to Allow Detained Blogger to Vote in Parliamentary Election (Dec. 20, 2011) by George Sadek
On December 8, 2011, blogger Alaa Abd al Fattah filed a lawsuit before an administrative court in Egypt against the Ministers of the Interior and of ...
Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Supreme Council for Armed Forces Approves Anti-Discrimination Law (Nov. 01, 2011) by George Sadek
On October 15, 2011, the head of the Egyptian Supreme Council for the Armed Forces (SCAF) issued Decree 126-2011, amending the Penal Code (Law 58-1937). The ...
Topic: Discrimination
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Council of Ministers Approves Draft Law on Combating Corruption and Money Laundering (Oct. 04, 2011) by George Sadek
On September 26, 2011, the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers approved a draft anti-corruption law. The provisions of this legislation impose sanctions of up to seven years ...
Topic: Government ethics
Jurisdiction: Kuwait
King Overturns a Woman's Lashing Sentence (Oct. 04, 2011) by George Sadek
On September 29, 2011, the King of Saudi Arabia granted a reprieve to a female driver who had been sentenced by a Saudi court to the ...
Topic: Women
Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia
Proceedings in Mubarak Trial Televised Live (Aug. 08, 2011) by George Sadek
On August 3, 2011, the Criminal Court of Cairo began the public trial for former President Hosni Mubarak, along with both of his sons. Mubarak was ...
Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Bill Proposed to Allow New Political Parties (Aug. 02, 2011) by George Sadek
On July 25, 2011, the Syrian government issued a bill that would permit the establishment of various new political parties. Under the umbrella of what is ...
Topic: Politics and government
Jurisdiction: Syria
Former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and His Wife Found Guilty (Jun. 27, 2011) by George Sadek
On June 10, 2011, a Tunisian court sentenced former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his wife, in absentia, to 35 years in prison. They were ...
Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Tunisia
Women Seek Participation in Upcoming Municipal Elections (Apr. 22, 2011) by George Sadek
In April 2011, Saudi women activists wrote a memo to the designated authorities in the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs requesting rights for female voters ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia
The Municipality Election (Apr. 18, 2011) by George Sadek
On March 23, 2011, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs of Saudi Arabia announced that the municipal elections in that country will begin with the ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia
Sponsorship System for Foreign Workers Will Not Be Abolished (Jan. 25, 2011) by George Sadek
On January 21, 2011, the Minister of Labor of Saudi Arabia announced that the government has no intention of abolishing the sponsorship system in the Kingdom. ...
Topic: Labor
Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia
Supreme Administrative Court Rules Parliamentary Elections Void (Dec. 21, 2010) by George Sadek
On December 4, 2010, the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC), the highest administrative judicial body in Egypt, invalidated the two rounds of polling for the November 2010 ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Law Banning Microphones Attached to Mosques Is Enforced (Nov. 19, 2010) by George Sadek
On October 21, 2010, the Bahraini Ministry of Homeland Security began enforcing a royal decree issued in 1999 that bans the use of all types of ...
Topic: Environment
Jurisdiction: Bahrain
Appellate Court Rejects DNA Results That Contradict Shari'a Rules of Evidence (Oct. 20, 2010) by George Sadek
In October 2010, a family court in Egypt rejected the DNA results in a case concerning a parental relationship. The primary reason for rejecting the test ...
Topic: Family
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Three Arabs Accused of Human Trafficking in Dubai (Aug. 25, 2010) by George Sadek
On August 18, 2010, the Criminal Court of Dubai tried three individuals from Egypt, Morocco, and Lebanon for smuggling Moroccan women into Dubai to work as ...
Topic: Trafficking in persons
Jurisdiction: United Arab Emirates
Royal Decree Limits Authority to Issue Fatwas (Aug. 25, 2010) by George Sadek
In August 2010, King Abdu Al Aziz bin Saud issued a Royal Decree limiting the authority to issue fatwas (religious opinions concerning Islamic law) to Muslim ...
Topic: Religion
Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia
New Family Law for Christians to Be Drafted Following Contentious Court Decision (Jun. 29, 2010) by George Sadek
On June 13, 2010, the Ministry of Justice of Egypt established a committee to compose a draft law regulating marriage and divorce for Christians. The purpose ...
Topic: Family
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Bill Targets Human Rights Activists and Local NGOs (May. 18, 2010) by George Sadek
It was reported on April 2, 2010, that a bill targeting human rights activists as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be discussed by the People's ...
Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Shura Council Prohibits Liquor Consumption by Muslims but Allows It for Non-Muslims (May. 18, 2010) by George Sadek
On April 30, 2010, the Committee of Foreign Affairs and National Security of the Shura Council (legislature) of Bahrain approved a new provision as an amendment ...
Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Bahrain
Bill to Amend the Family Law Adds Provision on Electronic Divorces (Mar. 24, 2010) by George Sadek
On February 2, 2010, Jordan's Ministry of Justice, in pending legislation to amend the law on family matters, added a new provision on divorce via cell ...
Topic: Family
Jurisdiction: Jordan
Administrative Court Prohibits Christians from Visiting Churches in Jerusalem (Mar. 24, 2010) by George Sadek
On February 2, 2010, the Administrative Judicial Court of Egypt, the country's adjudicative body for administrative disputes related to government contracts, tenders, and administrative questions, issued ...
Topic: Religion
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Law on Public-Private Partnership to Develop Infrastructure Being Discussed (Jan. 04, 2010) by George Sadek
On November 14, 2009, Egypt's Council of Ministers discussed new legislation on creating a long-term partnership agreement between the private sector and the Egyptian government. The ...
Topic: Government finance
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Royal Decree Overturns Court Decision Against Female Journalist (Dec. 04, 2009) by George Sadek
On October 26, 2009, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia issued a royal decree abolishing a criminal court sentence of 60 lashes and a two-year travel ban ...
Topic: Freedom of the press
Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia
Council of Ministers Blocks All Websites Deemed in Violation of Islamic Sharia'a (Aug. 20, 2009) by George Sadek
On August 3, 2009, the Council of Ministers of Iraq issued a decision to create a committee to look into means to identify and block all ...
Topic: Freedom of speech
Jurisdiction: Iraq
Court Approves Seizure of Newspapers Evaluating King's Performance (Aug. 20, 2009) by George Sadek
On August 4, 2009, the Ministry of Internal Security of Morocco confiscated two weekly newspapers, TELQUEL and NICHANE, for publishing opinion polls about the King of ...
Topic: Freedom of the press
Jurisdiction: Morocco
Woman Tried Under Sudanese Criminal Code for Wearing Pants (Aug. 20, 2009) by George Sadek
It was recently reported in the Saudi Arabian press that a Sudanese woman faces 40 lashes for wearing pants in public. The woman, who works as ...
Topic: Women
Jurisdiction: Sudan
Measures Taken to Combat Bird and Swine Flu (May. 26, 2009) by George Sadek
In order to combat bird and swine flu, on April 29, 2009, the People's Assembly of Egypt passed a law regulating the trade in live poultry. ...
Topic: Health and safety
Jurisdiction: Egypt
Ministry of Justice Provides Marriage Certificate to Stateless Woman (Apr. 27, 2009) by George Sadek
On March 25, 2009, for the first time in Kuwait, a personal status court issued a decision compelling the Ministry of Justice to provide a marriage ...
Topic: Nationality and citizenship
Jurisdiction: Kuwait
Resolution Passed to Assist Children Suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder (Mar. 16, 2009) by George Sadek
The Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia has issued Resolution 35/50 on assisting children who suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). The Resolution is considered a ...
Topic: Health and safety
Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia
Expansion of Rights to Practice Law Recommended (Feb. 13, 2009) by George Sadek
On January 27, 2009, Qatar's Shura Council, an appointed body that evaluates proposed legislation, reviewed new amendments to article 4 of Law 23-2006 on the right ...
Topic: Lawyers
Jurisdiction: Qatar
Parliament Approves Status-of-Forces Agreement (Jan. 07, 2009) by George Sadek
On November 27, 2008, the Iraqi Parliament approved the Status-of-Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States. SOFA calls for the withdrawal of the American forces from ...
Topic: War
Jurisdiction: Iraq / United States
Parliament Approves Article 50 of the Provincial Election Law (Nov. 20, 2008) by George Sadek
On November 4, 2008, the Iraqi Parliament approved article 50 of the Provincial Election Law, on seats for religious minorities on provincial councils. Through the reinstatement ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Iraq
The Presidential Council Approves the Provincial Election Law (Oct. 22, 2008) by George Sadek
On September 24, 2008, the Iraqi Presidential Council signed the amended Provincial Election Law into law after a parliamentary debate on the legislation that resulted in ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Iraq
U.S. Forces and the Iraqi Government Succeed in Implementing the General Amnesty Law (Sep. 25, 2008) by George Sadek
Since the enactment of the General Amnesty Law on March 3, 2008, by the Iraqi Parliament, the United States forces in Iraq began the process of ...
Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Iraq
HNDBC Allows More Former Members of the Baath Party to Rejoin Civil Service (Sep. 10, 2008) by George Sadek
On August 20, 2008, as part of the implementation of the Accountability and Justice Law, originally enacted on February 14, 2008, the Higher National De-Baathification Commission ...
Topic: Government employees
Jurisdiction: Iraq
