Oman is an Absolute Monarchy with a bicameral system. The Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces is His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. Laws in Oman are issued by Royal Decree as primary legislation, or by Ministerial Decisions as secondary legislation. Oman has the following court system – Supreme Court, Appellate Courts, Courts of First Instance and Courts of Summary Jurisdiction. Each court is able to deal with matters relating to civil, commercial, labour, tax and personal (Shariah) law. 

Although judges can practise either secular law or Shariah law, Shariah is the basis for all legislation as set out in the basic law (Royal Decree 101/96), which is in effect the constitution of Oman. Court proceedings are conducted only in Arabic. All official documents issued by the courts and used in proceedings must also be in Arabic.

The main legal issue likely to affect expats is property ownership. As a foreigner, this is limited to purchasing property within integrated tourist complexes only, such as The Wave and Muscat Golf and Country Club. Other issues where you might land on the wrong side of the law are linked to the rules of Islam: gambling is forbidden, and although you can drink under certain conditions you are inviting trouble if you get drunk and disorderly in public places. Living with a member of the opposite sex who is not a family member is illegal.

There is one prison near Mabella and a new one is being constructed in Nizwa. Oman’s prisons are best described as basic. Facilities are poor and hygiene is questionable. Your personal items (including shoes and belt) will be taken off you when you enter the prison and only returned when you leave. You may be allowed to make a phone call, or the prison may inform your sponsor or company PRO officer that you are in custody. For a first offence, bail can be paid after 48 hours – the bail amount is usually somewhere between RO 50 and RO 75. If you can’t afford the bail then you have to remain in custody. Your embassy will not be able to offer financial or legal assistance.

Alcohol & Drugs

Attitudes to drinking in this region are a bit stiffer than you might experience back home (popping into your corner shop for a six-pack is a definite no-no). However, compared to some of the other GCC countries, Oman has a fairly relaxed view of alcohol. Non-Muslims can drink in licensed bars and restaurants, at private clubs, and at various social events that are generously sponsored by major alcohol retailers. Muscat is not famous for its buzzing nightlife, but some hotel bars have extended their opening hours to 03:00 (thus brightening up the social scene a bit).

However, drunk and disorderly behaviour in public is frowned upon and fortunately most expats seem to respect this. If you want to buy alcohol for consumption at home, you need to apply for a liquor licence. Only non-Muslim residents with a labour card are allowed to apply. If you are married, only the husband can apply, and his wife cannot use the licence to buy alcohol unless he works in the interior. Licences are valid for two years, but can’t be used outside of the city in which they were issued.

Your liquor licence permits you to buy a limited amount of alcohol each month. Your allowance is calculated based on your salary, and is usually not more than 10% of it. You can apply for a larger allowance under certain conditions (for example, if your job entails corporate entertaining). You can’t ‘bank’ your allowance – you must either use it or lose it. Many expats have learned the benefits of stockpiling alcohol, particularly in the lead-up to Ramadan when liquor stores are closed for a whole month and bars do not serve any booze. It is illegal to drive around with liquor in your car, with the exception of transporting it from the liquor store to your home. 

Drug offences usually result in serious sentences, and your time in prison can be anywhere from one month to 25 years, depending on the amount you were caught with, the type of drugs and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. In addition, your fine could be up to RO 20,000 and the court can even sentence you to death in severe cases. If you are caught with forbidden prescription medicines, it is important that you can produce the actual doctor’s prescription for them. It will depend upon the judge’s decision for what sentence you will receive, but it will again be severe.

Traffic Offences

If you are involved in an accident involving a fatality, you will be required to hand over RO 7,000 to the ROP, RO 5,000 of that being ‘blood money’ which will go to the deceased’s relatives. The other RO 2,000 will be used for any medical bills or repatriation in case of an expat. It will be up to your insurance company to decide whether or not your insurance will cover the cost of this blood money. The court could take up to six months to finalise the sentence, so you may be allowed to continue working until your sentence is given. You will not however, be allowed to leave the country while your court case is pending.

Myths & Truths

• If you write a cheque that bounces, you will be given around a week to pay the amount (if it is your first offence). If you can’t pay, you will be taken into custody.

• Be careful what stickers you place on your car – car stickers featuring donkeys (even if it is a national mascot of a particular region in your home country) are apparently illegal because the position of the sticker on the car indicates that anyone passing the sticker is a donkey themselves. You will receive a fine.

• Flogging does not happen in Oman.

• Pregnancy outside wedlock will result in deportation if you are caught.

• Smoking, eating or drinking in public places during Ramadan is considered highly offensive and can carry a jail term of up to three months.

• Unmarried men and women are not permitted to live together unless they are related (brother and sister, for example). However, before you rush down the aisle, rest assured that this law is rarely enforced. Just be discreet, and you should be fine.