Article 134 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 134 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الثاني: تنازع الاختصاص
The article regulates conflict of jurisdiction between two courts over one crime or related crimes, by referring the request to designate the competent court to the Supreme Court.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا رُفِعت دعوى عن جريمة واحدة أو عن جرائم مرتبطة إلى محكمتين، وقررت كل منهما اختصاصها أو عـدم اختصاصها، وكان الاختصاص منحصرًا فيهما؛ فيرفع طلب تعيين المحكمة التي تفصل فيها إلى المحكمة العليا.
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 134 explained in plain English
This article deals with what is known as conflict of jurisdiction, which, according to the text, arises when a case about a single crime or related crimes is brought before two courts, and then:
- Each of them rules that it has jurisdiction to hear the case (a positive conflict), or
- Each of them rules that it lacks jurisdiction (a negative conflict).
The text also requires that jurisdiction be confined to the two courts, that is, that it belong to one of them and not to a third court.
If these conditions are met, the request to designate the court that will decide the case is submitted to the Supreme Court. The article does not specify who submits the request or its procedures and time limits, so details that do not appear in it should not be assumed.
The article aims to prevent two harmful situations: two courts hearing the same case and issuing conflicting judgments, or both refusing to hear it so that the dispute is left without a judge. This relates to the rules of jurisdiction in Articles 128 to 131, which determine the competent court by type and by place.
Anyone whose case has been subject to a conflict of jurisdiction would do best to seek the help of a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
Practical example
A single forgery case was brought before two courts in two different cities, and each of them ruled that it lacked jurisdiction, with jurisdiction confined to them. In this case the request to designate the court that will decide the case is submitted to the Supreme Court.
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 134 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
What happens if two courts refuse to hear the same case?
If the case concerns a single crime or related crimes and jurisdiction is confined to the two courts, the request to designate the competent court is submitted to the Supreme Court.
Does the rule apply if both courts rule that they have jurisdiction?
Yes. The text covers both the case where each rules that it has jurisdiction and the case where each rules that it lacks jurisdiction.
Who designates the competent court in a conflict of jurisdiction?
The Supreme Court, to which the request to designate the court that will decide the case is submitted.
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.