Oman’s New Investment Court: What Faster 90-Day Dispute Resolution Means for Your Business
The Sultanate of Oman is establishing a new Investment and Commercial Court tasked with resolving disputes within a strict 90-day timeframe, with an additional 45-day extension permitted for more complex cases.
Issa bin Hamad al Azri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Judicial Council, emphasized that these deadlines aim to ensure the rapid resolution of commercial disputes, reinforcing Oman’s commitment to fostering an investment- and business-friendly environment.
In an interview with Duqm Economist, the newsletter of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), Al Azri highlighted that swift case adjudication will enhance the investment climate by preventing project delays and reducing the freezing of capital. He also noted that shorter litigation periods will lower operational and legal expenses for businesses.
The court’s regulatory framework is defined by the Law of the Investment and Commercial Court, issued under Royal Decree 35/2025. Article 28 mandates the resolution of cases within 90 days from referral, allowing a 45-day extension for serious reasons. This legal framework is designed to curb prolonged disputes.
A central objective of the new court is to create a specialised judicial platform capable of managing complex commercial cases related to foreign investment, international trade, and contemporary commercial contracts. This aligns with Oman’s broader economic strategy to boost competitiveness. The court will enhance judicial standards by availing judges with extensive expertise and legal knowledge in commerce and investment, accelerating procedures and improving judgment quality.
Last December, the Supreme Judicial Council announced plans to establish both primary and appellate chambers of the Investment and Commercial Court across multiple Omani governorates. Four appellate chambers will be located in Dhofar, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah North, and Al Sharqiyah North, each serving their specific regions.
Additionally, ten primary chambers will be established in Dhofar, Musandam, Al Buraimi, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah North and South, Al Sharqiyah North and South, Al Dhahirah, and Al Wusta governorates. This network will ensure comprehensive judicial coverage throughout all wilayats of Oman.
Legal experts identify the new court’s specialised jurisdiction to include disputes involving merchants arising from commercial activities, investment contract conflicts including partner or shareholder disagreements, commercial assets, foreign capital investments, banking and financial operations, maritime sales, and intellectual property rights. The court will also handle matters related to competition law, anti-monopoly practices, e-commerce, public–private partnership contracts, insolvency, bankruptcy, and arbitration claims. These provisions grant the court exclusive authority over a broad spectrum of intricate business and investment disputes, applying specialized procedures for their resolution.
This development marks a significant step towards strengthening Oman’s legal infrastructure supporting commercial and investment activities.
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The establishment of the Investment and Commercial Court with strict 90-day adjudication timelines signals Oman’s strong commitment to creating a more business-friendly and efficient legal environment. For businesses and investors, this creates an opportunity to reduce legal uncertainties and operational delays, enhancing confidence in the Sultanate’s commercial ecosystem. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should now capitalize on Oman’s evolving judicial framework by pursuing ventures with clearer dispute resolution pathways, thereby mitigating risks related to prolonged litigation and capital freeze.
