Article 3 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 3 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الأول: رفع الدعوى الجزائية
The article explains that the case meant in Article 16 of the Law is the private criminal case, and governs how the defendant and the public prosecutor are notified in it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- الدعوى الجزائية المشار إليها في المادة (السادسة عشرة) من النظام هي الدعوى الجزائية الخاصة التي تشتمل على حق خاص وحق عام.
2 - لا يبلغ المدعى عليه في الدعوى الجزائية الخاصة بالحضور إلى المحكمة إلا إذا كانت الدعوى منتجة ومقبولة صفة واختصاصاً.
3 - يكون إبلاغ المدعي العام بالحضور إلى المحكمة في الدعوى الجزائية الخاصة المشار إليها في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة بمذكرة تتضمن اسمَ المدعي واسم المدعى عليه، وعنوانيهما، ونوعَ التهمة، ونسخة من صحيفة الدعوى، وموعد الجلسـة، وإذا لم يحضر المدعي العام إلى المحكمة بعد إبلاغه بذلك؛ فيُدوَّن ذلك في ضبط الدعوى، وتفصل المحكمة في دعوى الحق الخاص.
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 3 explained in plain English
This article of the Regulations deals with the private criminal case, which is the case brought by the holder of the private right and which includes both a private right and a public right at the same time. It clarifies that the case referred to in Article 16 of the Criminal Procedure Law is this type of case.
The article sets three rules:
- Definition: the case meant in Article 16 of the Law is the private criminal case that includes a private right and a public right.
- Condition for notifying the defendant: the defendant is not notified to appear before the court unless the case is productive and admissible in standing and jurisdiction. That is, the court first verifies that the case is fit to be heard before summoning the other party.
- Notifying the public prosecutor: the public prosecutor is notified to appear by a memorandum stating the name of the claimant and the name of the defendant and their addresses, the type of the charge, a copy of the statement of claim, and the date of the session. If he does not attend after being notified, this is recorded in the case record, and the court decides the private-right claim.
This article is connected with Article 2, which sets out the public prosecutor's duties in the public case, and with Article 9, which fixes the date a private criminal case is brought as the date its statement is registered at the court. Anyone considering bringing a private criminal case should consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases to be sure the case is admissible in standing and jurisdiction.
Practical example
Ahmed brought a case in Jeddah against a person who assaulted him, claiming his private right. The court first verifies that the case is productive and admissible in standing and jurisdiction, then notifies the defendant, and notifies the public prosecutor by a memorandum containing the parties' details, the type of the charge and the date of the session. If the public prosecutor does not attend, this is recorded, and the court decides Ahmed's private right.
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 3 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
What is a private criminal case?
It is the criminal case that includes a private right and a public right, and it is the case meant in Article 16 of the Law according to this article.
When is the defendant notified to appear in the private criminal case?
He is notified only if the case is productive and admissible in standing and jurisdiction.
What happens if the public prosecutor does not attend after being notified?
This is recorded in the case record, and the court decides the private-right claim.
More articles on Criminal Case and Its Lapse
- Article 2
The article requires the Authority to notify the court in writing of the names of the authorized public prosecutors, and explains that conducting the public case includes presenting evidence, producing it, and bearing the burden of proof.
1- تبعث الهيئة كتاباً إلى المحكمة بأسماء المدعين العامين المفوضين بإقامة الدعوى الجزائية العامة أمامها. 2 - مباشرة الدعوى الجزائية العامة أمام المحاكم المختصة ت
- Article 4
The article defines crimes requiring a private right of individuals as those whose harm is confined to the victim, and explains the effect of a complaint where there are several victims or accused.
1- الجرائم الواجب فيها حق خاص للأفراد المشار إليها في المادة (السابعة عشرة) من النظام هي ما اقتصر الضرر فيها على المجني عليه. 2 - إذا كان هناك أكثر من مجني عليه
- Article 5
The article explains that the victim and heir meant in Article 18 of the Law are those with limited or no legal capacity, and requires recording what the court does when their interest conflicts with their representative's.
1- يُقصـد بالمجني عليه ووارثه المشار إليهما في المـادة (الثامنة عشرة) من النظام؛ من كان ناقص الأهليـة أو فاقدهـا. 2 - يُدون في ضبط الدعوى ما تجريه المحكمة التي
- Article 6
The article explains that the case mentioned in Article 19 of the Law is the public case, and sets how the court notifies whoever brought it and his duty to inform the court of what he did.
1- الدعوى المشار إليها في المادة (التاسعة عشرة) من النظام هي الدعوى الجزائية العامة. 2 - يكون إبلاغ المحكمة لمن رفع الدعوى - في الحالتين المنصوص عليهما في الماد
- Article 8
The article explains the in-law relationship and the enmity that bar a member of the Authority from handling a case, and lets any opponent request disqualification of the investigator before or during the investigation.
1- لا يشترط لقيام صلة المصاهرة المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (1) من المادة (الحادية والعشرين) من النظام؛ أن تكون رابطة الزوجية قائمة. 2 - العداوة التي تمنع عضو الهيئة
- Article 9
The article provides that the private criminal case is considered brought from the date the statement of claim submitted by the claimant is registered at the court.
تعد القضية مرفوعة في الدعوى الجزائية الخاصة من تاريخ قيد صحيفة الدعوى المقدمة من المدعي في المحكمة.
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.