The Egyptian Parliament's Legislative Committee convened on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, to discuss a proposed amendment to the 2025 Criminal Procedures Law. The meeting was attended by Hani Hanna, Minister of Parliamentary Councils. The amendment, proposed by MP Hesham El-Hossary, aims to postpone the implementation of the new law to October 2027. The committee approved the amendment with 62 signatures in support.
The proposed amendment involves replacing the phrase "October 1, 2027" with "October 1, following the publication date" in the original law. This change allows for a further postponement of the law's implementation. The amendment also includes a second article stating that the law will be published in the official gazette and take effect the day after publication. The Legislative Committee's decision was made to ensure that all necessary preparations are in place for the law's implementation.
MP Hesham El-Hossary explained that the 2025 Criminal Procedures Law introduced comprehensive regulations for criminal procedures, including new provisions and amendments that require completion of necessary arrangements for enforcement. These arrangements include organizational, institutional, technical, and human resources preparations. El-Hossary noted that the original law was scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026, but the postponement will provide sufficient time to complete the required preparations.
The preparations for the law's implementation include establishing electronic systems for notification and remote litigation, as well as databases and connection tools. Additionally, there is a need for digitalizing procedures and training human resources to apply the new law. The postponement will also allow for testing and evaluating the new systems and procedures to identify potential obstacles.
The 2025 Criminal Procedures Law aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Egyptian judicial system. The law's provisions cover various aspects of criminal procedures, including investigation, trial, and appeal. The postponement of the law's implementation is intended to ensure a smooth transition and minimize potential disruptions to the justice system.
The Legislative Committee's decision to postpone the implementation of the law was made in response to requests from various stakeholders, including MPs and government agencies. The postponement is expected to provide sufficient time for all parties involved to prepare for the law's implementation and ensure its effective enforcement.
The new law will have a significant impact on the Egyptian justice system, and its implementation will be closely monitored by various stakeholders. The postponement of the law's implementation is a positive step towards ensuring its effective enforcement and minimizing potential challenges. The law's provisions are expected to enhance the rights and freedoms of Egyptian citizens and improve the overall efficiency of the justice system.
Key points
- The Egyptian Parliament's Legislative Committee has approved a proposal to postpone the implementation of the new criminal procedures law to October 2027.
