Article 62 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 62 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الرابع: التصرف في الأشياء المضبوطة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يختص المحقق برد المضبوطات قبل رفع القضية إلى المحكمة، وبعد رفعها يكون ذلك من اختصاص رئيس الدائرة القضائية.
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 62 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law answers a practical question many people face: whom do I approach to get back something seized in a case?
The article divides competence according to the stage of the case:
- Before the case is filed with the court: the investigator is competent to return seized items.
- After the case is filed with the court: competence passes to the head of the judicial circuit hearing the case.
Knowing what stage the case has reached is therefore the first step in knowing the body to which a request for return is submitted. The article does not state the conditions for return, its timing or the form of the request; it is limited to specifying the competent body.
This article is read with Article 61 of the Regulations: seized items whose possession is prohibited by sharia or law, or that are subject to confiscation, are dealt with by the investigator through destruction or demanding confiscation, as the case may be, rather than return. It is also linked to Article 63, which deals with the competent court where there is a dispute over seized items or doubt as to who has the right to receive them.
If a dispute arises over the ownership of seized items or a request for return is refused, it is useful to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
Saad's car was seized in an accident case that is still at the investigation stage. Saad submits a request to recover his car to the investigator. If the case had been referred to the court, the request would be for the head of the judicial circuit hearing it.
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 62 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
Who is competent to return seized items before the case is referred to the court?
The investigator is competent to return seized items before the case is filed with the court.
After the case is filed with the court, who returns seized items?
That is for the head of the judicial circuit.
Does the article state the conditions for returning seized items?
No, it only specifies the competent body according to the stage of the case.
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 63
This article of the Regulations specifies the competent court referred to in Article 90 of the Law, and what it does where seized items are disputed or it is doubtful who is entitled to receive them.
1- المحكمة المختصة الوارد ذكرها في المادة (التسعين) من النظام هي المحكمة المختصة المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثامنة والثمانين) من النظام. 2- إذا رفع الأمر إلى الم
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.