Article 38 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 38 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الرابع: ضبط الرسائل ومراقبة المحادثات
The article requires that seized messages, letters, printed matter and parcels be recorded in a report, and provides that seizure or monitoring ends once its purpose is achieved.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجب إثبات ما يُضبط - وفقاً للمادة (السابعة والخمسين) من النظام - من الرسائل والخطابات والمطبوعات والطرود؛ في محضر يوقعه القائم بالضبط، تبين فيه أوصاف المضبوط بدقة، ومكان ضبطه وزمانه.
2 - ينتهي ضبط أو مراقبة وسائل الاتصال بتحقق الغرض المقصود حتى لو لم تنتهِ المدة المحددة في الأمر أو الإذن.
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 38 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law sets two rules on seizing correspondence and monitoring means of communication.
First rule: the seizure report
What is seized under Article 57 of the Law, namely:
- messages,
- letters,
- printed matter,
- parcels,
must be recorded in a report signed by the person carrying out the seizure, stating:
- a precise description of the seized item.
- the place where it was seized.
- the time it was seized.
Second rule: seizure or monitoring ends once its purpose is achieved
Seizure or monitoring of means of communication ends once the intended purpose is achieved, even if the period set in the order or permit has not expired. The period stated in the order is a maximum, not a period that must be used up.
This provision is similar in idea to Article 31 of the Regulations, which requires a search to stop as soon as the sought items are found; a procedure that affects privacy is limited by its purpose. It is followed by Article 39, which requires the competent bodies to provide the available resources when the head of the Bureau issues an order to seize or a permit to monitor, and it is preceded by Article 37, which explains that the rule covers non-public electronic means of communication.
If you are a party to a case and want to know how this provision affects your situation, you can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A permit was issued to monitor an accused person's phone in a case in Riyadh for a set period, and the purpose of the monitoring was achieved before it expired, by obtaining the required information. Under this article, the monitoring ends when the purpose is achieved and does not continue to the end of the period.
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 38 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
Does phone monitoring continue until the end of the period set in the permit?
No, seizure or monitoring of means of communication ends once the intended purpose is achieved, even if the set period has not expired.
What does the report on seizing messages and parcels contain?
A precise description of the seized item and the place and time of seizure, and it is signed by the person who carried out the seizure.
More articles on Seizing Letters and Monitoring Calls
- Article 37
The article provides that the rule in Article 56 of the Criminal Procedure Law covers modern, non-public electronic means of communication.
يشمل حـكم المادة (السادسة والخمسين) من النظام وسائلَ التواصل الإلكترونية الحديثة غير العلنية.
- Article 39
The article obliges the competent bodies to provide all available resources when the head of the Bureau orders correspondence to be seized or permits phone conversations to be monitored and recorded.
عند صدور أمر رئيس الهيئة بضبط الرسائل والخطابات والمطبوعات والطرود، أو إذنه بمراقبة المحادثات الهاتفية وتسجيلها؛ فعلى الجهات المختصة توفير جميع الإمكانات المتاح
- Article 40
The article makes notifying the accused of the contents of letters, postal and telegraph messages under Article 59 of the Law the task of the investigator or whoever he delegates.
يكون تبليغ المتهم بمضمون الخطابات والرسائل البريدية والبرقية - وفقاً للمادة (التاسعة والخمسين) من النظام - عن طريق المحقق أو من يندبه.
- Article 41
The article gives a person harmed by the disclosure, without legal justification, of information about seized items and papers by anyone referred to in Article 61 of the Law the right to sue before the competent court.
للمتضرر من قيام أيٍّ من المشار إليهم في المادة (الحادية والستين) من النظام بإفشاء معلومات عن الأشياء والأوراق المضبوطة دون مسوغ نظامي؛ حق إقامة الدعوى على المتس
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.