Article 120 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 120 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الخامس: إجراءات الجلسة ونظامها
If the case requires the court to move to the scene of the crime or elsewhere to inspect, hear testimony or verify something, a report is drawn up, signed by those present, its text is transferred to the case record and the original lodged in the file.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا اقتضى الأمر الانتقال إلى المكان الذي ارتكبت فيه الجريمة أو إلى أي مكان آخر لإجراء معاينة أو لسماع شهادة أو للتحقق من أي أمر من الأمور؛ فيحرر ذلك في محضر توقعه الدائرة القضائية أو من تكلفه والكاتب والمعاين ومَنْ حضر من الشهود والخصوم والخبراء ويُنقل نصه في ضبط الدعوى ويُودع أصله في ملف 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 120 explained in plain English
This article of the Regulations regulates the court's movement outside the courtroom while a criminal case is being heard, when it is necessary to move to:
- The place where the crime was committed.
- Or any other place.
The purpose is one of the following: carrying out an inspection, hearing testimony, or verifying any matter.
Documenting the movement:
- It is drawn up in a report.
- The report is signed by the judicial circuit or whoever it assigns, the clerk, the inspector, and the witnesses, parties and experts who attended.
- The text of the report is transferred to the case record.
- The original of the report is lodged in the case file.
Note that the movement may be carried out by the circuit itself or by whoever it assigns. Having several signatures ensures that what was recorded reflects what actually happened in the presence of the parties. The article does not specify when the movement is necessary, so assessing that is for 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
In an arson case at a warehouse in Riyadh, the circuit saw a need to inspect the site of the fire, so it moved there with the clerk, and the parties and one of the experts attended. A report of the inspection was drawn up and signed by everyone, then its text was transferred to the case record and the original lodged in the case file.
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 120 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
Does the court move to the scene of the crime?
Yes, if it is necessary to move to the scene of the crime or any other place to carry out an inspection, hear testimony or verify a matter.
Who signs the report of the court's movement?
The judicial circuit or whoever it assigns, the clerk, the inspector, and the witnesses, parties and experts who attended.
Where is the inspection report kept?
Its text is transferred to the case record and the original is lodged in the case file.
More articles on Criminal Trial Procedures
- Article 7
The article clarifies that the acts mentioned in Article 20 of the Law are those occurring outside the session, and regulates referring them when more judges are 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
- Article 94
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.