Before filing any commercial claim, the first question is often: how much will the court fees be? The good news is that fees before the Court of Investment and Commerce follow a clear schedule based on the value of the claim and the type of application. This article sets out the fee schedule as stated in the Unified Guide to Litigation Procedures before the Court issued by the Supreme Judicial Council, with practical examples, the security deposits required for some challenges, and fee waivers.
Fees for commercial claims by value
Fees in the commercial first-instance and appellate circuits are set by the amount claimed:
- Up to OMR 50,000: OMR 10.
- OMR 50,001 to 100,000: OMR 50.
- OMR 100,001 to 500,000: OMR 200.
- OMR 500,001 and above: OMR 500.
- Applications with no monetary claim: OMR 10, however many such requests are made.
Practical examples
- A company claiming OMR 30,000 in unpaid invoices: OMR 10.
- A contractor claiming OMR 80,000 in unpaid certificates: OMR 50.
- An investor claiming OMR 250,000 for breach of an investment contract: OMR 200.
- A bank claiming a OMR 1 million loan: OMR 500.
The fee is a fixed amount for each band, not a percentage of the claim, which keeps litigation before the Court affordable even for large claims.
Fees for challenges and other applications
- Challenge before the Supreme Court: OMR 100.
- Petition for reconsideration: OMR 50.
- Enforcement disputes: OMR 30.
- Liquidation and bankruptcy cases: OMR 300. See our article on preventive composition.
- Enforcement of foreign judgments and orders: OMR 300.
- Actions against judges and recusal of judges: OMR 200.
- Recusal of an expert or arbitrator: OMR 10.
- Interpretation of a judgment: OMR 10.
- Omitted claim (a request the court did not decide): OMR 10.
- Stay of enforcement: OMR 10.
- Objection to a detention order by the enforcement judge: OMR 10.
Security deposits for some challenges
- Exceptional appeals against final judgments, for example for breach of public-order jurisdiction rules or nullity of the judgment or proceedings: a security deposit of OMR 50 is required, one deposit sufficing for several appellants filing a single petition, and the registry will not accept the petition without proof of deposit.
- Supreme Court challenges: the registry will not accept the petition unless the fee and security have been paid.
- Petitions for reconsideration by a party who was not properly represented, or by a person bound by the judgment who was not joined: a security deposit is required. If the petition is rejected, a fine of OMR 10 to 25 is imposed and the security may be forfeited.
When and how fees are paid
After you submit a filing on the Court platform, the case preparation office reviews it; once complete, you pay the fee online and the filing becomes a registered case, with the case number sent by text message. See our guide to filing a case online step by step.
Fees are not the whole cost
- Expert fees if the court appoints an expert, common in construction and accounting disputes.
- Translation costs, since foreign documents must be filed in Arabic.
- Legal fees: a lawyer is mandatory for company claims above OMR 10,000 and individual claims above OMR 30,000, as explained in when you need a lawyer at the Court.
The losing party is usually ordered to pay the costs of the case. If the judgment does not assess costs, the successful party may apply for an assessment by petition order, and an objection may be filed within ten days of notification.
Fee waivers: legal aid
A person who cannot afford the fees may apply online for legal aid, covering court fees, expert and publication costs and court-appointed lawyers. Under the guide, monthly income or pension must not exceed OMR 400, bank balances must not exceed OMR 1,000, the applicant must not own more than two residential or agricultural properties and must not hold a commercial registration. Challenges by the Public Prosecution and government bodies are exempt from the Supreme Court fee and security.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file a commercial case in Oman?
Before the Court of Investment and Commerce: OMR 10 for claims up to OMR 50,000, OMR 50 up to 100,000, OMR 200 up to 500,000 and OMR 500 above that.
Is the fee a percentage of the claim?
No. It is a fixed amount for each band of claim value.
What is the fee for a bankruptcy case or enforcing a foreign judgment?
OMR 300 each, according to the guide's fee schedule.
Source: the court fee schedule in the Unified Guide to Litigation Procedures before the Court of Investment and Commerce, issued by the Supreme Judicial Council. Fees are as stated in the guide at the date of publication; please check the platform when filing, as they may change.
To estimate the full cost of your case before filing, see our commercial litigation lawyer service or contact Dr. Abdullah Al Rashdi Office on WhatsApp or +968 92000841.