Article 178 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 178 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الباب التاسع: أحكام عامة وختامية
Notification is valid when the person is notified through his address approved by the competent authority or its legal equivalent, unless there is a specific provision.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون إجراء التبليغ صحيحاً متى بُلغ الشخص المطلوب عن طريق عنوانه المعتمد من الجهة المختصة أو ما يقوم مقامه نظاماً، وذلك فيما لم يرد به نص خاص.
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 178 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law specifies when notification is valid, which matters because many criminal procedures rest on notifying persons to attend or of other things.
The rule: the notification procedure is valid when the person sought is notified through:
- his address approved by the competent authority, or
- what stands in its place under the law.
The exception: this rule applies where there is no specific provision. If a specific provision governs the method of notification in a particular case, it applies in that case.
The article does not specify which authority is competent to approve the address, or what stands in place of the approved address under the law; the relevant laws should be consulted for that.
This article comes in Part Nine of the Regulations on general and final provisions, which includes Article 177, governing taking the statements of deaf and mute persons and signing for an illiterate person by fingerprint, and Article 179, which requires the King's permission to arrest, detain, investigate, or bring a criminal case against a minister, a person holding the rank of minister, or a former holder of either, unless he is caught in the act of a crime.
Anyone who has received a notification in a criminal case, or believes that notification to him was not carried out properly, is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A competent authority sent Abdullah a notification, through his address approved with it, to attend a procedure in a criminal case. This notification is considered valid under this article, unless a specific provision sets another method of notification in this case.
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 178 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
When is notification in criminal cases valid?
It is valid when the person sought is notified through his address approved by the competent authority or its legal equivalent, unless there is a specific provision.
Are there cases where this rule does not apply?
Yes. The rule applies where there is no specific provision; if a specific provision governs the method of notification, it applies.
More articles on Definitions and General Provisions
- Article 1
This article of the Regulations defines the terms used in them, such as the Law, the Regulations, the Council, the Ministry, the Authority and serious crimes.
يقصد بالمصطلحات والعبارات الآتية - أينما وردت في هذه اللائحة - المعاني المبينة أمامها، ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك : النظام : نظام الإجراءات الجزائية. اللائحة :
- Article 172
The article explains that the orders referred to in Article 14 of the Criminal Procedure Law are orders issued by judicial bodies under their various names and by the Authority.
الأوامر الواردة في المادة (الرابعة عشرة) من النظام هي الأوامر الصادرة من الجهات القضائية بأسمائها المختلفة ومن الهيئة.
- Article 173
The phrase "serious crimes", wherever it appears in the Criminal Procedure Law, means the "serious crimes requiring detention" referred to in Article 112 of the Law.
يقصد بعبارة "الجرائم الكبيرة" أينما وردت في النظام؛ "الجرائم الكبيرة الموجبة للتوقيف" الواردة في المادة (الثانية عشرة بعد المائة) من النظام .
- Article 174
The article allows a case received by mistake to be referred to the proper court or body, governs competent bodies' access to court papers, and requires the court to take the necessary steps when a general pardon is issued.
1- إذا وردت قضية إلى محكمة عن طريق الخطأ فلا يحول ما ورد في المادة (الخامسة) من النظام دون إحالتها إلى المحكمة أو الجهة المعنية. 2 - إذا طلبت جهة مختصة الاطلاع
- Article 175
If a non-Saudi is detained on suspicion of a serious crime, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is notified so it can consider informing his country's representation.
إذا أوقف شخص غير سعودي لاتهامه بارتكاب جريمة من الجرائم الكبيرة؛ فتبلغ وزارة الخارجية للنظر في إحاطة ممثلية بلاده.
- Article 176
In searching the premises of foreign embassies and international bodies and organizations with immunity, the relevant laws and rules, international customs, and international agreements must be observed.
يُراعى في تفتيش دور السفارات الأجنبيـة والهيئات والمنظمات الدولية ذات الحصانة القنصلية والدبلوماسية ما تقضي به الأنظمة والقواعد الصادرة في هذا الشأن، والأعراف و
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.