OMAN Law and Practice Contributed by: Mohammed Al Khalili, Jenna Al Bakry, Joud Lashko and Abdullah Al Raiisi, Al Khalili, Al Ghailani & Co LLP
5. Key Trends 5.1 Impact of Key Trends
All of the foregoing provides an extra step towards a legislative system that embraces collective redress and class action cases, potentially confining them within in a single piece of law. The current practice allows for redress and class action, albeit through scattered bits and pieces of law. 4.2 Legislative Reform Oman’s new Labour Law introduces a structured dis- pute resolution process for individual labour claims. Parties must first seek a settlement through the MoL before approaching the courts. Settlements reached at this stage are now enforceable like court judgments, eliminating the need for re-litigation if breached. A judge is seconded to the MoL to ratify these settle- ments and ensure their legal validity. For collective disputes, the law details procedures for bargaining, MoL-led settlement committees, and arbitration. It also regulates strikes and lockouts, establishing clear conditions, timelines, and restrictions.
The transition to electronic litigation, specialised courts, and enforceable pre-litigation settlements demonstrates a move towards a more efficient and accessible system. Nevertheless, these reforms still function within an individual litigation framework. Although they establish a solid foundation with clearer procedures, quicker resolutions, and enhanced pro- tections for consumers and workers, they do not yet allow for group-based claims.
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