Drafting Final Requests for Relief in Kuwaiti Court Cases
Learn how to draft precise final requests for relief in Kuwaiti court cases and fully address your rights under the Civil Procedure Law.
Filing a Case & Procedure · By Fahad Alhaddad Law Firm · Published 2026-09-28 · Updated 2026-09-28
At the end of a statement of claim or defence memorandum comes the most important part: the requests for relief. This is the part on which the judge rules, so it must be drafted with the utmost precision.
What Are Final Requests for Relief?
Final requests for relief summarise precisely what you ask the court to order, such as requiring the opposing party to pay a sum of money, vacate a property, or have a legal transaction declared invalid.
The judge is bound by your requests and cannot award more than you have sought, even if you are entitled to more. Define your requests carefully.
What Makes a Properly Drafted Request?
A request must be clear, direct and well organised. Begin with the primary request, followed by alternative requests to be considered if the primary request cannot be granted.
For example: 'Order the defendant to pay the sum of …, or, in the alternative, …' This structure protects your rights if the court finds that the requirements for granting the first request have not been met.
Alternative Requests and Costs
Do not forget to include a request for 'costs and actual legal fees'. This request gives the court authority to assess these costs if you win the case.
Alternative requests are a legal safeguard that should not be overlooked, helping you secure any available compensation if the primary request fails.
The Connection Between the Facts and the Relief Sought
There must be a close logical and legal connection between what you set out in the 'Facts' section and what you seek in the 'Requests for Relief' section.
The court will exclude or reject any request that has no basis in the facts or supporting evidence submitted.
Reviewing Your Requests Before Filing
Always read your requests aloud or have a specialist review them. Are they understandable? Do they cover every aspect of the dispute?
Later amendments to your requests may be subject to procedural restrictions, so make them precise from the outset.
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This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not replace consultation with a lawyer licensed in Kuwait. The official Arabic legal texts prevail over any English explanation.