Over the past five years, Oman has witnessed significant legislative and administrative reforms, particularly in the field of commercial justice. Among the most notable developments is the establishment of the Investment and Commercial Court, reflecting a strategic shift towards specialised adjudication of commercial and investment disputes. Today, the commercial judicial framework in Oman comprises a body of laws governing such disputes, grounded in civil and commercial legal principles issued under relevant Royal Decrees.
In 2025, Royal Decree No 35/2025 was promulgated to establish the Investment and Commercial Court as a specialised judicial body entrusted with adjudicating commercial and investment cases previously heard by general courts.
Operating under the supervision of the Supreme Judicial Council, the court has jurisdiction over disputes involving merchants in relation to their commercial activities, as well as conflicts arising from investment contracts, corporate matters, financial assets, banking transactions and related areas.
The establishment of the Investment and Commercial Court serves several strategic objectives. Among these is the enhancement of the business and investment climate. This specialisation strengthens legal certainty and bolsters investor confidence — both domestic and foreign — while simultaneously alleviating the caseload burden on general courts. By assigning commercial disputes to judges with relevant expertise, the overall efficiency and quality of the judicial system are improved.
Another critical objective is fostering an attractive investment environment conducive to foreign capital inflows. Achieving this requires avoiding procedural delays, ensuring swift adjudication and guaranteeing effective enforcement of judgments. Such efficiency encourages capital investment in Oman, particularly given the country’s incentive-rich investment framework, which supports the establishment of large-scale enterprises aimed at reducing reliance on imports and limiting the outflow of foreign currency.
These priorities align closely with Oman Vision 2040, which provides a comprehensive strategic framework for national development and places advanced justice and specialised courts at the heart of efforts to enhance competitiveness and improve the business environment.
In line with these objectives, the Supreme Judicial Council has adopted a strategic plan for the period 2024–2040. This plan focuses on legislative modernisation, capacity building through specialised judicial training and simplification of litigation procedures to align with Oman Vision 2040. It also emphasises digital transformation through the development of electronic case management systems. These measures aim to achieve expedited justice while reducing time and cost burdens on litigants, thereby strengthening public and investor confidence in the judiciary through transparency, efficiency and speed.
A comprehensive organisational structure has been implemented across several governorates to facilitate access to judicial services. This transition has necessitated adjustments to hearing schedules and procedural frameworks, with relevant stakeholders duly notified. The court now operates using advanced technological tools, including electronic case management systems, digital document exchange and the option to conduct remote hearings, all of which significantly reduce procedural delays.
These advancements also support the development of commercial arbitration mechanisms by strengthening the institutional capacity of local and regional arbitration centres and fostering cooperation with international bodies through memoranda of understanding.
Despite these notable developments, certain challenges continue to hinder the optimal functioning of commercial justice in Oman. These challenges include legislative and practical complexities, as some legal provisions still require further refinement to ensure clarity and consistency in commercial litigation and arbitration. Additionally, the transitional shift from the traditional system to a specialised framework may result in temporary administrative delays.
Finally, there remains an urgent need to accelerate comprehensive digital transformation and to cultivate a fully integrated digital judicial culture among litigants and legal practitioners alike.
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