Algeria Launches 13 New Specialized Commercial Courts

In a significant move to enhance the country's judicial system, Algeria has inaugurated 13 new specialized commercial courts across the nation. The launch, overseen by heads of judicial councils, aims to bring specialized justice closer to litigants and improve the efficiency of resolving economic disputes. These new courts are established in various cities, including Adrar, Chlef, Batna, Bejaia, Tebessa, Tiaret, Saida, Guelma, El Bayadh, El Oued, Illizi, Boumerdes, and Ghardaia.

The establishment of these commercial courts is in line with the directives of the President of the Republic, who is also the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, given during the opening of the 2025-2026 judicial year. The goal is to create new commercial courts, increasing their total number from 12 to 25. This initiative is designed to provide better and more specialized judicial services, particularly in commercial and economic disputes. The decree implementing this decision, numbered 26-133, was issued on March 30, 2026.

These specialized courts have exclusive jurisdiction over specific types of disputes, including those related to commercial companies, judicial settlements, bankruptcy, banking and financial institutions, international trade, maritime and air transport, insurance related to commercial activities, and intellectual property disputes. The procedures before these courts are characterized by the mandatory recourse to conciliation before filing a lawsuit, according to specific mechanisms defined in the Code of Civil and Administrative Procedures.

The introduction of these courts is expected to significantly improve the business environment in Algeria by providing a more efficient and specialized mechanism for resolving commercial disputes. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance the country's judicial system and attract investment by ensuring that commercial disputes are handled effectively and fairly.

The new commercial courts will play a crucial role in supporting the country's economic development by providing a specialized and efficient judicial framework for resolving commercial disputes. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to improving the business environment and promoting economic growth.

The launch of these courts has been welcomed by the business community, which has long called for improved mechanisms for resolving commercial disputes. The specialized nature of these courts is expected to bring greater expertise and efficiency to the resolution of complex commercial cases.

With the establishment of these 13 new courts, Algeria takes a significant step towards enhancing its judicial system and supporting economic development. The country's efforts to improve its business environment and attract investment are likely to be positively impacted by this initiative.

Key points

• The new courts will handle disputes related to commercial companies, banking, and intellectual property.
• The establishment of these courts aims to improve the efficiency of resolving economic disputes.
• The total number of commercial courts in Algeria is expected to increase to 25.