Kataeb Party leader MP Samy Gemayel submitted an urgent draft law seeking to suspend all legal, judicial, and contractual deadlines from March 1, 2026, until the end of the current state of force majeure affecting the country.

The proposal, described as an urgent measure, is intended to protect the rights of both the State and individuals and to prevent harm to litigants and rights holders arising from the extraordinary circumstances that have hindered the exercise of legal rights within prescribed timelines.

Under the draft law, all legal and judicial deadlines before Lebanese courts, as well as administrative, civil, and commercial deadlines, would be suspended. Deadlines related to the convening of general assemblies for unions, associations, cooperatives, and companies are also included. Certain exceptions are outlined, and suspended deadlines would resume immediately once the Council of Ministers declares the force majeure over.

Key Provisions of the Draft Law

• Suspension of Deadlines: All legal, contractual, and judicial deadlines—whether procedural, administrative, or substantive—are automatically suspended starting March 1, 2026, until the extraordinary circumstances cease. The suspension includes judicial deadlines in civil, administrative, and commercial matters, as well as deadlines for convening general assemblies and boards of directors for all types of companies.

• Criminal Matters: Deadlines for personal claimants, defendants, or convicts to file formal motions, appeals, or challenge final decisions are also suspended. This applies to the civilly responsible party and guarantors regarding decisions subject to appeal.

• Exemptions: The draft law excludes deadlines left to judicial discretion, administrative deadlines where the administration retains suspension authority, statutes of limitation and criminal release deadlines (while personal rights deadlines remain suspended), family law deadlines including alimony and custody, and deadlines stipulated in lease laws.

• Continuity of Organizational Activities: Syndicates, cooperatives, associations, and companies are to continue their operations and maintain their current boards in office. All legal acts performed remain valid under existing laws.

• Contractual Waivers: Parties may explicitly and irrevocably waive the suspension effect in contracts or agreements.

• Retrials: Any final judgment that did not account for this suspension may be subject to retrial from the law’s effective date.

• Immediate Effect: The law would enter into force immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette.