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'File 45/23 I (D 140) Kuwait Reforms' [83r] (183/455)
The record is made up of 1 volume (222 folios). It was created in 4 Apr 1938-19 Sep 1938. It was written in English and Arabic. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
(3) JUSTICE HT igi w-vIT ,
General»
The sect of the ruling family and the majority
of Kuvsaitis is Hanbali, and the precepts of that seot
therefore predominate in Kuwait Justice.
2. cases of all kinds, except petty complaints, are
first heard by Shaikh Abdulla al-Jabir, the Deputy of
the Shaikh and town administrator, who gives his decision
after hearing both parties, often without making any
written records of the complaint, defence and evidence.
If however the case is of a complicated nature, with a
religious aspect, he refers it to the Qazi of the
8hari T at Court, either Sunni or Shi T ah, who decides it 0
If the case has a commercial or maritime aspect he refers
it to a committee of merchants or sea captains who after
hearing both parties send an oral summary of their views
to Shaikh Abdulla who gives his decision accordingly.
Arbitration is also resorted to by other guilds-men.
P^TTY CixS^S .
3. petty cases are brought before Shaikh Subah,
Chief of the Nigjtit Guards, who usually deals with them
by confiscating furniture or other property. It Is said
that he takes the proceeds for himself without having
to give an account to any one.
CIVIL CODS .
4. In practice there is also a form of Civil Code.
To take an example, by the Shaikh's order
drivers in Kuwait drive their cars on the left of the
road. If one were to be found driving on the ri^it he
could be fined or imprisoned, although no written code
to cover the case exists, except perhaps the original
public notice in the main square, probably long ago lost
or destroyed.
COURTS .
5. There are therefore the following oourts:-
About this item
- Content
The volume contains correspondence relating to the formation of a Legislative Council in Kuwait following unrest among its people and criticism of its government in the Iraqi press. Included are newspaper articles, a list of the names of those elected to the Legislative Council of Kuwait (folio 75) and a list of demands made by the Council (folio 76). The main correspondents include: Gerald De Gaury, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Kuwait; Trenchard Fowle, Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. at Bushire; Lawrence Dundas, Secretary of State for India; the Foreign Office in London; Maurice Peterson, British Ambassador in Iraq; Air Officer Commanding for British Forces in Iraq; Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah [Āl Ṣabāḥ, Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir], ruler of Kuwait; and other Government of India officials.
The correspondence includes:
- Abdication discussions about Sheikh Ahmad of Kuwait;
- Overview of the administration and control of justice, education, medical services, municipalities and desert land (folios 83-99);
- Appointment of a British customs officer in Kuwait;
- Opposition of the Persian population of Kuwait to the Legislative Council.
There are internal office notes at the back of the volume (folios 207-214), written by officials of the British Political Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Bushire.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (222 folios)
- Arrangement
The volume is arranged chronologically. At the beginning (folio 1C) is a subject index, arranged alphabetically. The numbers refer to folio numbers.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio. The folio numbers are written in pencil in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. of each folio. Circled index numbers in red crayon can also be found throughout the volume. There are the following irregularities: 1, 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D; 30 and 30A. Folio 200 is omitted.
- Written in
- English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
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'File 45/23 I (D 140) Kuwait Reforms' [83r] (183/455), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/468, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023666188.0x0000b7> [accessed 2 August 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/1/468
- Title
- 'File 45/23 I (D 140) Kuwait Reforms'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 1r:1v, 1ar:1ev, 2r:7v, 11r:11v, 12v:13v, 14v:19v, 22r:30v, 30ar:30av, 31r:31v, 35r:51v, 55r:55v, 59r:62v, 65r:65v, 69r:102v, 105r:177v, 180r:218v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence