Promoting judicial excellence and economic growth

Oman’s new Commercial Court and how it can benefit Oman businesses. Royal Decree 35/2025 was issued on the 23^rd of March 2025 and published on the 6^th of April 2025.

In a move set to redefine commercial litigation and support economic development, the Commercial Court in Oman is introducing a new framework to streamline legal proceedings and boost investor confidence. The Court’s overarching mission is a clear and strategic effort  to promote specialization in the judiciary by assigning expert judges to complex commercial disputes, with the aim of accelerating litigation procedures, minimizing delays and ensuring timely justice. 

These changes are being introduced to foster trust among local and foreign investors through efficient, transparent, reliable judicial processes and to support the development of economic legislation that stimulates investment and encourages a competitive business environment.

The Commercial Court’s jurisdiction covers a wide spectrum of commercial and economic disputes, including:

• Disputes related to commercial assets
• Maritime sales
• Arbitration-related disputes and applications
• Issues arising from electronic commercial transactions
• Cases involving foreign capital investment and economic activity
• Matters related to bankruptcy and composition of bankruptcy
• Public-Private Partnership agreements
• Disputes between partners, shareholders, or between either and the company
• Disputes related to banking operations, securities, and commercial paper disputes (excluding vehicle accident claims)
• Protection of competition and prevention of monopolistic practices which harms the national products in international trade
• Intellectual property disputes, including patents, trademarks, industrial models, and trade secrets.

A three judges circuit shall consider claims exceeding OMR 100,000 and invaluable claims. On the other hand, a single judge shall consider claims not exceeding OMR 100,000.

Initially cases will proceed through the ‘Claim Preparation Office’ a dedicated unit within the Court, led by an experienced judge and supported by a team of specialists. The office ensures all legal requirements are met before a case proceeds, allowing for a more efficient judicial process. This specialized office plays a critical role in preparing each case for litigation and its responsibilities include:

• Verifying the completeness of documents 
• Confirming party and witness details 
• Ensuring a clear and complete Statement of Claim
• Managing judiciary fee requirements.

The Court is implementing significant procedural reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency through innovative technology. All cases will be managed through a digital platform that enables streamlined filing, document exchange and communication between parties, laying the groundwork for a fully electronic court environment. All memos, replies, and supporting documents will be submitted electronically. Once document exchange is completed and procedural requirements are satisfied, the case will be referred to a judge for formal consideration.

The Court may allow to the litigants, representatives, witnesses or the expert to attend before it through any type of electronic visual communication. Also, the litigants may file an electronic copy of an expert report prior referring the case to the court and after referral if the court approves it.

The litigants may appeal the judgement issued by the Primary Court before the Court of Appeal within (15) days in normal cases and (7) days in urgent matters and appeals on petitions. The litigants may also appeal the Court of Appeal judgements before the commercial circuit in the Supreme Court within (30) days.

To ensure a smooth interim transition period, the Courts will continue handling all claims, orders and applications that were filed under the previous Investment and Trade Court jurisdiction prior to 01 October 2025.

This article was co-authored by Faye Manion, Paralegal.