Article 29 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
المادة 29 من نظام الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات · الفصل التاسع: المخالفات والعقوبات
The article gives anyone about whom the Authority has issued a decision the right to file a grievance with the Minister, under the legal procedures followed for objecting to an administrative decision.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لمن صدر بشأنه قرار من الهيئة التظلم لدى الوزير، وفق الإجراءات النظامية المتبعة للاعتراض على القرار الإداري.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 29 explained in plain English
This article sets out a route for objecting to the Authority's decisions.
Who has the right? Anyone about whom the Authority has issued a decision, whether a service provider, a user or anyone else. The text is general and is not limited to a particular type of decision.
Before whom? The Minister, who under Article 1 is the Minister of Communications and Information Technology.
How? Under the legal procedures followed for objecting to an administrative decision. The article did not set procedures or deadlines of its own but refers to the general rules for objecting to administrative decisions, the details of which cannot be known from this text.
Difference from Article 28: Article 28 concerns decisions of the Committee that hears violations and imposes penalties, which are appealed before the Administrative Court within 30 days of notification. This article concerns decisions of the Authority, which are the subject of a grievance with the Minister. It therefore matters for the person concerned to first find out which body issued the decision, because the route for objecting differs.
Because the deadlines and procedures for objecting to administrative decisions may affect whether a grievance is accepted, anyone about whom the Authority has issued a decision should consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases as soon as possible.
Practical example
The Authority rejected a company in Khobar's request to renew its registration. The company may file a grievance against this decision with the Minister, under the legal procedures followed for objecting to administrative decisions.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
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Frequently asked questions about Article 29 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
How do I object to a decision of the communications authority?
Anyone about whom the Authority has issued a decision may file a grievance with the Minister, under the legal procedures followed for objecting to an administrative decision.
What is the difference between a grievance against an Authority decision and one against a Committee decision?
An Authority decision is the subject of a grievance with the Minister under this article. A Committee decision is appealed before the Administrative Court within 30 days of notification under Article 28.
More articles on Communications Law Violations and Penalties
- Article 26
The article lists the acts that count as violations of the Communications Law, including dealing in non-compliant devices, operating without a license, misleading information, obstructing an inspector and harming networks.
تعد مخالفة كل مما يأتي: 1- حيازة أو بيع أو تأجير أو إتاحة أو صنع أو إنتاج أو تداول -بأي صورة كانت- أي جهاز أو عتاد أو أداة أو خدمة أو نظام أو برنامج أو نحوها -م
- Article 27
The article sets the penalties for violations: a fine of up to SAR 25 million, suspension of service, deprivation of a license and blocking of a platform, with surrender of proceeds and the possibility of publishing the decision.
1- دون إخلال بما ورد في النظام، أو بأي عقوبة أشد ينص عليها نظام آخر، يعاقب من ارتكب أيًّا من المخالفات المنصوص عليها في المادة (السادسة والعشرين) من النظام، أو
- Article 28
The article regulates the committee that hears violations of the Communications Law: its formation, membership and member qualifications, and allows appeal of its decision before the Administrative Court within 30 days of notification.
1- يشكل المجلس لجنة أو أكثر؛ للنظر في مخالفات أحكام النظام واللائحة والقرارات التنظيمية، وإيقاع العقوبات المنصوص عليها في المادة (السابعة والعشرين) من النظام. 2
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.