This has reference to the report, “Quicker disposal of court cases planned,” (Aug. 5). The report details the measures being taken by the Ministry of Justice to speed up the process of disposing of the cases brought before different types of courts. After Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah approved the project for judicial reforms and restructuring of the entire judicial system in 2007, there have been a lot of improvements both in terms of physical infrastructure and administration of justice. One of the notable improvements is seen in the area of execution or enforcement of judgments. Using the well connected networks between different governmental agencies, the Civil Rights Department is ensuring that the judgments and decisions by the courts are enforced upon the companies and individuals who try to evade or escape by putting in place different curbs and bans on them.
One of the chief reasons of courts being overburdened with the cases is the ease with which an individual can file a case on the most flimsiest of grounds and claim any amounts of money. As prevalent in many neighboring countries such as the UAE or Bahrain, there should be a court fee that should be directly related to the value of the amounts being claimed in order for the claimants to be genuine and considerate in their claims. Of course, in the end, the losing party be made liable to pay such fee.
With the recent enactment of the new Arbitration Law which gives a very wide autonomy to the parties and the arbitrators to determine the commercial disputes, it is pertinent to encourage the businesses to have their disputes settled by means of arbitration. The regional chambers of commerce should conduct presentations and seminars for the business communities to enlighten them about the advantages of arbitration over litigation. As the courts have been precluded to determine the point of law or determine the substance of the dispute, their role will be supervisory in ensuring that there was a due process in determining the dispute, thereby easing their burden. (Safi H. Jannaty, Damma)
Situation in Syria
The raging fighting in Aleppo, Syria, seen as the last stronghold of Bashar Assad’s forces, had until recently given the Syrians hope that it will soon rid the country of Assad’s brutal regime. But situation is fluid now.
With even the US unfreezing funds to assist in humanitarian efforts and Kofi Annan threatening to resign, it seems that this is more than just an uprising!
Should the fighters fail, it will also mark the first failure of a country spurred by events in the Middle East, the recent Arab Spring, that has seen Egypt, Tunisia and Libya usher in new regimes! Syria, with support from Russia and Iran, is showing no sign of regime change — all talk of Assad being exiled to Russia seems premature. (A. R. Modak, Johannesburg)
New baggage rules
This refers to the news report, “Saudia announces new baggage rules” (Aug. 4). As per the new rule Saudia has specified that each economy class passenger will be allowed to carry only one piece of 32 kg or less. For the first and business class, the airline will allow two pieces of 32 kg each.
The current baggage rules of Saudi Arabian Airlines are passenger friendly and the same should continued. The planned baggage rules are definitely against the interests of travelers.
However if the intention of the airlines is to reduce the weight of the baggage then it is OK.
The restriction of 32 kg seems to be in line with those of budget airlines. Alternatively they should also explore the ways and means to reduce the prices of their tickets.
In order to cater to the needs of a majority of the passengers, Saudia should seriously consider allowing three pieces of baggage instead of one.
This will be less burdensome for the passengers and the loaders. It will also help in facilitating better storage and transportation. (Mohammed Sadullah Khan, Riyadh)
