Article 132 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 132 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل السابع: الحكم
This article of the Regulations provides that the court hears the parties' requests about seized items in the criminal case record, and that referring the dispute to the competent court is recorded with reasons.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يكون نظر المحكمة في طلبات الخصوم المتعلقة بالأشياء المضبوطة - وفقاً للمادة (الثالثة والثمانين بعد المائة) من النظام - في ضبط الدعوى الجزائية.
2 - يدون رأي المحكمة بإحالة النزاع في شأن الأشياء المضبوطة إلى المحكمة المختصة؛ في ضبط الدعوى مسبباً.
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 132 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law regulates how the criminal court deals with the parties' requests relating to seized items in the case, applying Article 183 of the Law.
- Where it is heard: the court hears the parties' requests relating to seized items in the criminal case record itself, not in a separate file.
- Referring the dispute: if the court decides to refer the dispute about the seized items to the competent court, its decision is recorded in the case record with reasons.
In practical terms, a person who has a request about an item seized in the case, such as claiming its return, submits it to the court hearing the criminal case, which hears it within its record. If the court decides that the dispute over this item should be heard before another competent court, it must state the reasons for that in the record, so the party knows why his dispute was referred. This article does not state when the court refers the dispute or which court is competent for it.
The article follows Article 131 on the certified copy of the judgment and notification of finality, and precedes Article 133, which deals with perishable or costly-to-keep seized items and early execution of the judgment disposing of them. If you have property seized in a criminal case and want it back, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A car owned by Adel was seized in a criminal case in Taif with which he had no connection, so he submitted a request to the criminal court to have it returned. The court heard his request in the criminal case record, and when a dispute appeared between him and another person over its ownership, it decided to refer the dispute to the competent court and recorded the reasons for that in the case record.
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 132 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
Where do I submit a request to recover an item seized in a criminal case?
The court hears the parties' requests relating to seized items in the criminal case record, in accordance with Article 183 of the Law.
Can the court refer the dispute over seized items to another court?
Yes. If it decides to refer it to the competent court, it records its decision in the case record with reasons.
More articles on Seized Items and Their Return
- Article 35
The article regulates sealing and guarding after a search, securing weapons, explosives, narcotics, cash and jewelry, handing over seized items, and the ban on disposing of them without the Bureau's permission.
1- على رجل الضبط الجنائي قبل مغادرة مكان التفتيش أن يضع الأختام على الأماكن التي فيها آثار أو أشياء تفيد في كشف الحقيقة ويتعذر تحريزها، أو أن يضعها تحت الحراسة.
- Article 36
The article makes breaking the seals on containers of seized items the investigator's task after checking the seal is intact, with a report, resealing, and inviting the accused, his agent or the person from whom the items were seized.
1- يكون فض أختام أحراز المضبوطات - استناداً إلى المادة (الحادية والخمسين) من النظام - بمعرفة المحقق. وعليه أن يتأكد من سلامة الختم قبل فضه، ويحرَّر محضرٌ بذلك،
- Article 55
The article sets what the investigator does on reaching the crime scene: inspecting, recording and hearing initial information, with the option of sealing places, and requires seizing and securing whatever relates to the crime.
1- يبدأ المحقق فور وصوله إلى مكان وقوع الجريمة بإجراء المعاينة اللازمة، وإلقاء نظرة فاحصة وشاملة على مكان وقوع الجريمة، ويثبت حالة الأشخاص، والأشياء، والآثار ال
- Article 60
The article requires the investigator to issue an order attaching items seized during the investigation if they are subject to confiscation.
إذا كانت الاشياء التي ضبطت أثناء التحقيق محلاً للمصادرة؛ فيصدر المحقق أمراً بحجزها.
- Article 61
This article of the Regulations requires the investigator to take what is necessary to destroy seized items whose possession is prohibited by sharia or law, or to demand confiscation of those subject to confiscation.
إذا كانت المضبوطات مما تُمنع حيازته شرعاً أو نظاماً، أو كانت محلاً للمصادرة؛ فعلى المحقق إجراء ما يلزم حيال إتلافها أو المطالبة بمصادرتها، وذلك بحسب الأحوال.
- Article 62
This article of the Regulations specifies who is competent to return seized items: the investigator before the case is filed with the court, and the head of the judicial circuit after it is filed.
يختص المحقق برد المضبوطات قبل رفع القضية إلى المحكمة، وبعد رفعها يكون ذلك من اختصاص رئيس الدائرة القضائية.
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.