Article 136 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 136 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الأول: إبلاغ الخصوم
The article sets the time to appear in a criminal case at no less than three days, allows reducing it to one hour under conditions, and obliges the court to give the accused sufficient time to prepare his defense.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
موعد الحضور في الدعوى الجزائية ثلاثة أيام على الأقل من تاريخ تبليغ الخصوم بلائحة الدعوى. ويجوز في حال الضرورة نقص هذا الموعد إلى ساعة، بشرط أن يحصل التبليغ للخصم نفسه في حال نقص الموعد وأن يكون بإمكانه الوصول إلى المحكمة في الموعد المحدد. ويكون نقص الموعد بإذن من المحكمة المرفوعة إليها الدعوى، ويجوز إحضار المتهم - المقبوض عليه متلبسًا بالجريمة - إلى المحكمة فورًا وبغير موعد. فإذا حضر المتهم وطلب إعطاءه مهلة لإعداد دفاعه، فعلى المحكمة أن تمنحه مهلة كافية.
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 136 explained in plain English
This article regulates the period between notifying the parties and the date of the session, and contains several provisions:
- The rule: The time to appear is at least 3 days from the date the parties are notified of the statement of claim.
- Reducing the time to one hour: This is permitted in case of necessity, on conditions that must all be met:
- The notification must be made to the party himself.
- He must be able to reach the court at the set time.
- The reduction of the time must be with permission from the court before which the case is brought.
- A person caught in the act: The accused arrested in flagrante delicto may be brought to the court immediately and without an appointment.
- Time for defense: If the accused appears and asks for time to prepare his defense, the court must give him sufficient time. The text does not specify its length, but describes it as "sufficient."
The last provision shows that shortening the time limits or immediate bringing does not remove the accused's right to prepare his defense whenever he asks for it.
The article is connected to Article 135, which requires the accused to be summoned to appear when the case is brought, and to Article 137, which states how the summons to appear is served. Anyone given a short appointment would do well to contact a lawyer specialized in criminal cases early.
Practical example
A person was arrested in Dammam in flagrante delicto and was brought to the court immediately without an appointment. When he appeared he asked for time to prepare his defense, and under this article the court had to give him sufficient time.
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 136 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
What is the period between notification and the session date in criminal cases?
At least 3 days from the date the parties are notified of the statement of claim.
Can the time be shortened?
Yes, in case of necessity, to one hour, provided that the party himself is notified and can reach the court at the set time, and with permission from the court before which the case is brought.
Is the accused entitled to ask for time to prepare his defense?
Yes. If he appears and asks for time to prepare his defense, the court must give him sufficient time.
More articles on Criminal Trial Procedures
- Article 1
The article requires the courts to apply Sharia rules and the regulations that do not conflict with the Quran and the Sunnah, and to observe the procedures of the Criminal Procedure Law when hearing cases.
تطبق المحاكم على القضايا المعروضة أمامها أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية، وفقًا لما دل عليه الكتاب والسنة، وما يصدره ولي الأمر من أنظمة لا تتعارض مع الكتاب والسنة، وتتق
- 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 6
The article makes trying the accused the role of the courts under Sharia requirements and the Law's procedures, and allows the court to consider facts the public prosecutor did not allege if they need no investigation.
تتولى المحاكم محاكمة المتهمين فيما يسند إليهم من تهم وفقًا للمقتضى الشرعي وطبقًا للإجراءات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام. وللمحكمة أن تنظر في وقائع غير مدعى بها م
- Article 7
The article requires the number of judges required by law to attend the sessions hearing a case and the judgment session, and says who is assigned to complete the quorum if the number is not met.
يجب أن يحضر جلسات النظر في القضية وجلسة إصدار الحكم العدد اللازم نظامًا من القضاة؛ فإن لم يتوافر العدد اللازم فيكلف رئيس المحكمة من يكمل النصاب من قضاتها، فإن ت
- Article 12
The article refers the investigation of juveniles and girls, and their trial, to the laws and regulations governing that.
يكون التحقيق مع الأحداث والفتيات ومحاكمتهم وفقًا للأنظمة واللوائح المنظمة لذلك.
- Article 18
The article provides that if the court finds a conflict between the interest of the victim or his heir and that of his representative, the representative is barred from continuing to plead and another representative is appointed.
إذا ظهر للمحكمة تعارض بين مصلحة المجني عليه أو وارثه من بعده وبين مصلحة نائبه؛ فَيُمْنَع النائب من الاستمرار في المرافعة، ويقام نائب آخر.
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.