Article 133 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 133 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الأول: الاختصاصات الجزائية
The article requires a criminal case to be stayed if the judgment in it depends on the outcome of another criminal case, until that case is decided.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا كان الحكم في الدعوى الجزائية يتوقف على نتيجة الفصل في دعوى جزائية أخرى، وجب وقف الدعوى حتى يتم الفصل في الدعوى الأخرى.
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 133 explained in plain English
This article deals with the case of two criminal cases being linked so that one cannot be decided before the outcome of the other is known. The ruling is mandatory: if the judgment in the criminal case depends on the outcome of another criminal case, the case must be stayed until the other case is decided.
The conditions for applying the article, as stated in the text:
- The other case must be a criminal case.
- The judgment in the case being heard must depend on the outcome of that case.
The stay here is not an end to the case, but a postponement of hearing it until the other case is decided.
This article is an exception to the rule in Article 132, which gives the court hearing the criminal case jurisdiction to decide all issues on which the judgment depends, unless the Law provides otherwise. Article 133 is one of the provisions that provide otherwise when the issue is another criminal case.
Anyone whose case has been stayed for this reason, or who believes his case depends on the outcome of another case, may consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
Practical example
A person in Riyadh was accused of a crime on which the judgment depends on the outcome of another criminal case that has not yet been decided. Under this article the court must stay the first case until the other case is decided.
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 133 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
When must a criminal case be stayed?
If the judgment in it depends on the outcome of another criminal case, it must be stayed until the other case is decided.
Is the stay discretionary for the court?
No. The text says the case must be stayed, so it is mandatory once its condition is met.
Does the stay end the case?
No. The stay continues until the other case is decided.
More articles on Dismissing the Case and Criminal Jurisdiction
- Article 5
The article bars referring a case already brought before a court to another court or body, or anyone withdrawing it, before judgment, and treats the case as brought from the date it is registered at the court.
إذا رفعت قضية إلى محكمة فلا تجوز إحالتها إلى محكمة أو جهة أخرى ولا يحق لأحد سحبها منها قبل الحكم فيها، وتعد القضية مرفوعة من تاريخ قيدها في المحكمة.
- Article 63
If the investigator sees no basis to proceed with the case, he may recommend that the papers be archived, and the archiving order is issued by the head of the department to which he belongs.
للمحقق إذا رأى أن لا وجه للسير في الدعوى أن يوصي بحفظ الأوراق، ولرئيس الدائرة التي يتبعها المحقق الأمر بحفظها.
- Article 64
If an order archiving the case is issued, the investigator must notify the victim and the private claimant, and if one of them has died, all his heirs at the deceased's place of residence.
إذا صدر أمر بالحفظ وجب على المحقق إبلاغ المجني عليه والمدعي بالحق الخاص، وفي حال وفاة أحدهما يكون الإبلاغ لورثته جميعهم في مكان إقامة المتوفى.
- Article 65
The accused may use an agent or lawyer to attend the investigation; investigation is required in all major crimes, and for other crimes the investigator may investigate or bring the case directly to court.
للمتهم حق الاستعانة بوكيل أو محام لحضور التحقيق. ويجب على المحقق أن يقوم بالتحقيق في جميع الجرائم الكبيرة وفقًا لما هو منصوص عليه في هذا النظام. وله في غير هذه
- Article 91
The article requires a decision on how seized items are to be disposed of when an order is made to close the case, and also when judgment is given if their return is claimed before the court.
يجب - عند صدور أمر بحفظ الدعوى - أن يُفْصَل في كيفية التصرف في الأشياء المضبوطة، وكذلك الحال عند الحكم في الدعوى إذا حصلت المطالبة بردها أمام المحكمة.
- Article 93
The article allows the court within whose jurisdiction the place of the investigation falls to refer the parties to litigation before the competent court, with the seized items possibly placed under guard or other precautionary measures taken.
للمحكمة التي يقع في دائرتها مكان التحقيق أن تأمر بإحالة الخصوم للتقاضي أمام المحكمة المختصة إذا رأت موجبًا لذلك. وفي هذه الحال يجوز وضع الأشياء المضبوطة تحت الح
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.