A number of difficulties presented themselves in the attempt to draw together a cohesive study on the experiences and the implications of legal change and political reforms in the Sultanate of Oman from 1981-2003. The biggest obstacle has been a lack of research in this area. However, by focusing on the two chambers of the Council of Oman - Majlis A' Shura and Majlis A' Dawlah we attempt to fill in some of the more important gaps by focusing on how Arabs were already practicing some of the legal and political approaches similar to those of Shura before Islam, Shura in Islam, and democratic practices in Oman traditionally through to modern times. We look at Oman itself, the structure of its political system and administrative divisions The study presents various views on the political reforms to date in the Co-operation Council of Gulf Arab States (GCC) and Oman, and discusses the historical ties between the citizens of these countries, the resemblance of the political regimes, the statues quo and the visions for the future. This research takes account of the State Consultative Council (SCC 1981-1990) as the first formal (representative) institution and advisory authority formed by the government where members are fully appointed. The Majlis Shura (the Shura Council) is eximined this replaced the previous Council in 1991, and this study analyses its tasks, duties and power, and considers its working mechanisms. The study looks at the Majlis A'Dawlah (the State Council) established in 1997 and its merging with Majlis A'Shura to form the Council of Oman; the main objectives leading to the establishment of the State Council; and the similarities and differences between the two Councils. The study also analyses through a survey the key reasons (internal and external) behind the establishment of Majlis A'Shura, and evaluates the legal and political reforms process through the two councils and the negative impact of the 1997 amendments on the role of the Majlis A' Shura. The final part of the study makes recommendations for future development and improvements in the role and performance of the Majlis Shura as well as the Shura as a whole.

A number of difficulties presented themselves in the attempt to draw together a cohesive study on the experiences and the implications of legal change and political reforms in the Sultanate of Oman from 1981-2003. The biggest obstacle has been a lack of research in this area. However, by focusing...