Legal System of Oman
Oman is located in Middle East. It is geographically situated in middle east, bordering the arabian sea, gulf of oman, and persian gulf, between yemen and the uae. The country achieved independence on 1650 (expulsion of the portuguese). The capital is Muscat.
Government Overview
Government Type: absolute monarchy Chief of State: Sultan and Prime Minister HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020) Head of Government: Sultan and Prime Minister HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch Administrative Divisions: 11 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafaza); Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Buraymi, Al Wusta, Az Zahirah, Janub al Batinah (Al Batinah South), Janub ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah South), Masqat (Muscat), Musandam, Shamal al Batinah (Al Batinah North), Shamal ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah North), Zufar (Dhofar) National Holiday: National Day, 18 November Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Oman is described as mixed system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: promulgated by royal decree 6 November 1996 (the Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); amended by royal decree in 2011 Amendment Process: promulgated by the sultan or proposed by the Council of Oman and drafted by a technical committee as stipulated by royal decree and then promulgated through royal decree
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 5 judges) Judge Selection: judges nominated by the 9-member Supreme Judicial Council (chaired by the monarch) and appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for life Subordinate Courts: Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates’ courts; military courts
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: Shura Council (Majles A’Shura) (90 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): other systems Upper Chamber: State Council (Majles Addawla)
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: the father must be a citizen of Oman Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Historical Background
The inhabitants of the area of present-day Oman have long prospered from Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, the nascent sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, although the sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said overthrew his father and ruled as sultan for the next five decades.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Oman based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.