Bahrain's Law No. (23) of 2025 significantly overhauls check regulations within its Commercial Law to bolster financial stability and commercial integrity. Key changes include mandating partial payment of checks when full funds are unavailable, making checks with insufficient funds or partial payment directly enforceable executive instruments, and prohibiting the issuance or use of blank checks for credit or guarantee purposes with substantial fines. These amendments, which also grant the Central Bank of Bahrain enhanced regulatory powers, aim to increase trust in financial instruments, reduce commercial disputes, and improve the overall business environment by modernizing how checks are handled and enforced.

Arbitration has become a strategic option for resolving commercial disputes in the Kingdom of Bahrain, not only for its speed and efficiency but also for the significant flexibility it offers the parties involved. At the heart of this flexibility lies the concept of the "amicable compositeur," a legal tool that allows the arbitrator to resolve disputes based on principles of justice and fairness, transcending the strict literal application of the law. This article reviews the role of the amicable compositeur in the Bahraini legal system, highlighting its relationship with international standards adopted by UNCITRAL and how the modern Bahraini Arbitration Law has reinforced this concept.

Bahrain's new Law No. (20) of 2025 significantly modernizes its justice system by expanding alternative penalties to imprisonment, focusing on offender rehabilitation and societal reintegration. Amending the 2017 law, it introduces novel measures like electronic restrictions (barring access to specific websites) and mandatory presence at designated locations. This shift, which centralizes implementation under the Ministry of Interior, aims to reduce reliance on traditional custodial sentences, align with international human rights standards, and provide the judiciary with more nuanced sentencing options, ultimately fostering a more rehabilitative approach to criminal justice.

Bahrain has made significant changes to its Social Insurance Law, affecting both Bahraini and expatriate employees and employers. The total social insurance contribution for a Bahraini employee is now 21%, with the employer paying 14% and the employee contributing 7%. For expatriate employees, the total is 4%, with the employer paying 3% and the employee contributing 1%. Employer contributions will gradually increase by 1% each year until it reaches 20% in 2028. Employers must comply with their legal obligations, including registering employees, providing accurate records of salaries and contributions, withholding and remitting employee contributions, and notifying the organization of changes in employee status. Non-compliance can result in penalties. It is important for companies to familiarize themselves with the changes to ensure the well-being and financial security of their employees.