Article 112 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 112 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الخامس: إجراءات الجلسة ونظامها
If the accused does not understand Arabic, the statement of claim is read to him at the hearing in his language, and the case record notes that he received a copy of it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا لم يكن المتهم يفهم اللغة العربية، فتُتلى عليه لائحة الدعوى في جلسة المحكمة بلغته.
2 - يُدون في الضبط ما يفيد تسلم المتهم صورة من لائحة الدعوى.
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 112 explained in plain English
This article of the Regulations protects the accused's right to understand the charge against him, and contains two provisions:
- Reading the statement in the accused's language: if the accused does not understand Arabic, the statement of claim is read to him at the court session in his language.
- Proof of receiving the copy: the case record notes that the accused received a copy of the statement of claim.
This provision is important for non-Arabic speakers, such as expatriate workers and visitors, because the accused cannot defend himself without knowing what is attributed to him. Recording receipt of the copy also prevents later disputes about whether he saw the claim.
The article does not state who does the translation or how the translator is appointed; it only requires that the statement be read in the accused's language.
This article comes within the provisions on session procedures and order, as it is a step taken at the session itself before the court.
If you have a pending case and need advice on your specific situation, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
An expatriate worker in Riyadh who does not speak Arabic was accused of theft. At the hearing the statement of claim was read to him in his language, and the case record noted that he received a copy of it.
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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Frequently asked questions about Article 112 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
What if the accused does not understand Arabic?
The statement of claim is read to him at the court session in his language.
Does the accused get a copy of the statement of claim?
The article provides that the case record notes that the accused received a copy of the statement of claim.
Is a foreign accused entitled to know the charge in his language?
Yes. Article 112 of the Regulations requires the statement of claim to be read in his language if he does not understand Arabic.
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The article explains that the acts mentioned in Article 20 of the Law are those occurring outside the session, and sets referral to a larger number of judges when needed and hearing them in a separate record.
1- يُقصد بالأفعال المشار إليها في المادة (العشرين) من النظام؛ ما كان خارج الجلسة، وتطبق فيما كان داخلها أحكام الفصل (الثالث) من الباب (السادس) من النظام وأحكام
- Article 91
This article of the Regulations leaves it to the court hearing the case to assess whether judgment in a criminal case depends on the result of another criminal case, and requires it, if it stays the case, to inform the other court.
1- يُرجع في تقدير توقف الحكم في الدعوى الجزائية على نتيجة الفصل في دعوى جزائية أخرى؛ إلى المحكمة التي تنظر الدعوى الجزائية. 2 - إذا قررت المحكمة وقف دعوى منظورة
- Article 92
This article of the Regulations provides that if a court or circuit finds it lacks jurisdiction it refers the case by decision to the competent one, and if the second also finds it lacks jurisdiction the matter goes to the Supreme Court to designate the competent one.
إذا رأت محكمة أو دائرة عدم اختصاصها في دعوى مرفوعة إليها وأنها من اختصاص محكمة أو دائرة أخرى، فتصدر قراراً بذلك، وتحيلها إلى المحكمة أو الدائرة الأخرى ، فإن رأت
- Article 93
This article of the Regulations requires that if a case is brought before two courts or circuits and each decides it has jurisdiction, they stop hearing it and send the papers to the Supreme Court to designate the competent one.
إذا رفعت دعوى إلى محكمتين أو دائرتين وقررت كل منهما اختصاصها؛ فتصدر كل منهما قراراً بذلك، ويجب عليهما إيقاف نظر الدعوى ورفع الأوراق إلى المحكمة العليا عن طريق ا
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The article leaves it to the competent judicial circuit to assess the necessity that allows shortening the time to appear, and the length of the extension the accused requests to prepare a defense.
يعود إلى الدائرة القضائية المختصة بنظر الدعوى تقدير الضرورة التي تجيز إنقاص موعد الحضور في الدعوى الجزائية وتقدير مدة المهلة التي يطلب المتهم منحه إياها لإعداد
- Article 95
If the accused's place of residence cannot be found after adequate searching, the bailiff draws up a detailed report, and the bailiffs' department hands a copy of the notice to the emirate, governorate or center responsible for the place of notification.
إذا تعذرت معرفة مكان إقامة المتهم بعد البحث الكافي عنه وبعد الاستعانة بالجهات الأخرى ذات العلاقة - لتبليغه بالحضور أمام المحكمة وفق ما قضت به المادة (السابعة وا
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.