Court Confirms Criminal Conviction as Basis for Civil Damages in Dispute Between Former Spouses

TDT | Manama

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A civil court has issued a decisive ruling in favour of a claimant seeking compensation following the theft of her vehicle, affirming that a final criminal conviction is sufficient to establish civil liability, particularly in cases involving abuse of trust between former spouses.

Case

The dispute arose between a woman and her former husband, who was later convicted under a final and enforceable criminal judgment. Court documents show that the claimant had handed her vehicle to her ex husband after he informed her that the car required repairs due to technical issues. Relying on this assurance, she entrusted him with the vehicle, which was never returned.

Instead, the defendant unlawfully retained the vehicle and proceeded to steal it. Criminal proceedings further established that he had forged the claimant’s signature in connection with the vehicle, an offence that was conclusively proven before the criminal court and became binding once the judgment acquired finality.

At this stage of the proceedings, the claimant’s case was pursued by lawyer Fatima Althuwaini, who represented her interests and advanced the civil claim on the basis of the final criminal conviction and the resulting harm suffered.

Law

In its reasoning, the civil court reiterated that Bahraini law grants binding authority to final criminal judgments in related civil disputes. Such rulings conclusively establish the occurrence of the act, its legal characterisation, and the identity of the perpetrator, leaving the civil court to assess damages only.

Ruling

The court found that all elements of civil liability were satisfied and ordered the defendant to pay material compensation for the value of the vehicle and related losses, in addition to moral compensation reflecting the psychological distress caused by the breach of trust.