Countries

Bahrain

The majority of the citizens of Bahrain are of Arab descent and follow the Islamic religion. The Shia Jafari School of Islamic law has the most influence, although the Maliki and Shafi schools can be applied as well. There is a significant expatriate community in Bahrain. British common law has had some impact on the legal system of Bahrain but the major influence is Islamic law. Article 2 of the 1973 Constitution reads that the Sharia is a principle source of legislation and Islam is the official religion of the State. Also recognised as subsidiary sources of law are custom and natural law. Personal status law remains uncodified and therefore based on classical Sharia.

Available Information

• reunite’s Summary Text for Bahrain

Legal Texts

•   Constitution 1973

•   Judicial Authority Law No. 42 of 2002

•   Civil and Commercial Procedures Act 1971

•   Legislative Decree No.7 of1986 with Respect to Promulgating the Law on Trusteeship on Minors’ Funds

•   Bahrain Penal Code 1976

•   Immigration and Passports Acts and Regulations:

• Bahraini Citizenship Act No. 8 of 1963

• Amended Bahraini Citizenship Act No.11 of 1963

• Passports Act No.11 of 1975

• Ministerial Order No.15 of 1976 with Respect to the Regulations for Implementing the Passports Act No. 1 of 1975

• Ministerial Order No.26 of 1975 with Respect to Determining the Places Designated for Entry into the State of Bahrain and Departure Therefrom

• Ministerial Order No.33 of 1979 with Respect to Amending Some of the Fees Charged for the Services Rendered by the Immigration and Passports Directorate

• Aliens Act (Immigration and Residence) No.3 1965

• Ministerial Order No.26 of 1976 Concerning Entry Visas for Bahrain

• Amiri Decree No,21 of 1980 with Respect to Amending Article 29 of the Aliens Act on 1965

• Legislative Decree No.10 of 1981 with Respect to Amending the Bahraini Citizenship Act of 1963

• Legislative Decree No.9 of 2000 with Respect to Amending Certain Provisions of Act No.11 of 1975 with Respect to Passports

• Ministerial Order No.12 of 1986 with Respect to Amending some of the Fees Charged for the Services Rendered by the Immigration and Passports Directorate

• Ministerial Order No.14 of 1986 with Respect to Amending some of the Fees Charged for the Services Rendered by the Immigration and Passports Directorate

• Ministerial Order No.40 of 1986 with Respect to Altering and Increasing Certain Categories of Fees for the Services of the Immigration and Passports General Directorate Provided for in Ministerial Order No.14 of 1986

• Legislative Decree No.24 of 1986 with Respect to Amending the Provisions of the Aliens Act (Immigration and Residence) of 1965

• Ministerial Order No.80 of 1989 with Respect to Amending the Fees Charged for the Services Rendered by the Immigration and Passports General Directorate

• Ministerial Order No.46 of 1986 with Respect to Determining Points Designated for Entry into the State of Bahrain and Departure Therefrom

• Ministerial Order No.47 of 1986 with Respect to Enforcing the Provisions of Order No.25 of 1976 Concerning Entry Visa for Bahrain as Amended by Ministerial Order No.39 of 1986 on Foreigners Arriving via the Bahrain-Saudi Arabia Causeway

• Ministerial Order No.39 of 1986 with Respect to Amending Certain Articles of Ministerial Order No.25 of 1976 with Respect to Entry Visa for Bahrain

• Legislative Decree No.9 of 2000 with Respect to Amending Certain Provisions of Act No.2 of 1975 with Respect to Identity Cards

• Legislative Decree No.10 of 1982 with Respect to Amending the Passports Act No.11 of 1975

• Legislative Decree No.12 of 1989 with Respect to Amending the Bahraini Citizenship Act of 1963

Reports

• Convention on the Rights of the Child Report 2000

Articles

•   Summary International Parental Child Abduction, US State Department

•   Legal Review (Infoprod)

•   Summary of Judiciary (POGAR)

•   Family Law Summary (Emory)