The legal system in Kuwait is more progressed than people seem to think. Even though the constitution was written more than half a century ago in 1961, it clearly protects the rights of people by stating principles like "All people are equal in human dignity, and in public rights and duties before the law, without distinction as to race, origin, language or religion" in Article 29, and also stating clearly in article 35 that "Freedom of belief is absolute." The list of rights and freedoms in the Kuwaiti Constitution goes on to protect our freedom of speech, our right to a free trial and so on.

When you read the Constitution you would think that people living in Kuwait are living a simple life. But that's far from the case. For the past two years, ever since I started writing legal articles for the public, not a day has passed without me receiving an email seeking an answer to a complicated legal inquiry, about what seems to be a simple day-to-day task. Many of these queries are due simply to a lack of understanding the law and regulations. Sadly, the large English-speaking community in Kuwait has no direct access to the legislation and rules in simple English writing.

This, in return, has made them vulnerable, complicating their visa status, their relationships with their landlord, employer and other entities in Kuwait. This is why I am ecstatic to be writing for the Kuwait Times. I hope to answer all the most pressing questions regarding legal matters and create a real awareness about the law and readers' legal rights written in a manner that is accessible and understandable to everyone.

Although I won't be able to answer all the questions that I receive, I promise to help everyone in any way that I can. I will also answer the most common questions publicly so that the most amount of people could benefit.

Please email me at [email protected] if you have any legal questions or concerns that you would like answered.

By Fajer Ahmed, lawyer