WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
IP/N/1/BHR/3/Add.1 
5 May 2004 
 
 (04-2006) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights Original:   English 
 
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS 
UNDER ARTICLE 63.2 OF THE AGREEMENT 
 
BAHRAIN 
 
Addendum  
 
 In addition to earlier notifications under Article  63.2 of the Agreement, Bahrain has notified 
its "Other Laws and Regulations", by m eans of a communication from its Delegation 
dated 15 June 2001, as follows: 
  - Constitution of the State of Bahrain;   - Bahrain Penal Code;  
 - Cassation Court Law; 
  - The Law of Evidence;   - The Law of Commerce; 
 
 - Bahrain Civil Code;   - Bahrain Civil & Commercial Procedures Act;   - The Code of Criminal Procedure. 
 
 The "other laws and regulations" with a brie f description, are listed in the Annex to this 
document. IP/N/1/BHR/3/Add.1 
Page 2  
 
 ANNEX 
 
OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS 
  
 
TITLE 
DATE OF ADOPTION AND ENTRY  
INTO FORCE 
  
 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
Constitution (1973). 
 
 The most relevant provisions in the Constitution 
are those on rights and duties, separation of powers, executive and judicial powers.  Also relevant is Article 37, which provides that a treaty has the force of a law upon it being ratified and 
published in the Official Gazette. 
  
Civil judicial procedures 
  
Civil & Commercial Procedural Law No. 12 of 
1971 and subsequent amendments. 
 
 This law (and its subsequent amendments) deals 
mainly with litigation procedure in civil and 
commercial lawsuits.  It defines the rules and procedure of summary matters, jurisdiction and judicial competence of the various courts, and notification procedures.  It also specifies the 
format of the statements of claim, response, 
counter arguments and trial procedure.  The Law also sets out the procedure for issuing court judgements, content of the judgement and rules on the award of expenses and legal fees.  
 
Law of the Court of Cassation (Legislative 
Decree No. 8 of 1989. 
 
 This law defines the jurisdiction and procedure of 
the Court of Cassation, which is the highest court of law in Bahrain.  
 
Evidence Law (Legislative Decree No. 14 of 
1996). 
 
 This law provides, inter alia , for procedures to be 
followed, jurisdiction of the court to order production of evidence and questioning of witnesses.  
 
Criminal procedure and penalties 
  
The Penal Code (Legislative Decree No. 16 of 
1976). 
 
 This law provides, inter alia , for procedures, 
rules for police searches, summons, confiscation 
of items resulting from a crime.  Also, it provides 
for the basis for criminal liability.    IP/N/1/BHR/3/Add.1 
 Page 3 
 
 
  
TITLE 
DATE OF ADOPTION AND ENTRY  
INTO FORCE 
  
 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
The Criminal Procedural Law of 1966 and 
subsequent amendments. 
 
 The relevant provisions of this law are those 
which describe the criminal courts structure, jurisdiction of the various courts, classification of the types of offences and evidence rules.  The law also stipulates the rules on attendance and 
representation of the accused at the court. 
  
Substantive legislation   
Civil Code (Legislative Decree No. 19 of 2000). 
 
 The Civil Code provides, inter alia , for the award 
of damages including causation and vicarious liability.   
The Law of Commerce (Legislative Decree No. 7 
of 1987). 
  The relevant provisions of this law are 
Articles 59 to 64, which deal with unfair 
competition.   
 
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