Article 165 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 165 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل السادس: إجراءات الجلسة ونظامها
Article 165 requires everyone called to give testimony by order of the judge to attend at the time and place specified, subject to what is established by Sharia for testimony in hudud cases.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة ما تقرر شرعًا في الشهادة بالحدود، يجب على كل شخص دعي لأداء الشهادة بأمر من القاضي الحضور في الموعد والمكان المحددين.
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 165 explained in plain English
This article establishes a duty on the witness: every person called to give testimony by order of the judge must attend at the time and place specified.
The elements of this duty, as stated in the text, are:
- the call to give testimony is by order of the judge;
- attendance is at the specified time; and
- attendance is at the specified place.
The article begins with an important qualification: subject to what is established by Sharia for testimony in hudud cases. The article thus excepts from its general wording what Sharia rulings establish for testimony in hudud cases, without detailing those rulings. For this reason the text alone does not tell us what differs in testimony in hudud cases.
The article also does not mention the consequence for a person who fails to attend; it is limited to stating the duty.
This article is connected to Article 164, which permits the court to summon any witness whose statements it considers it needs to hear or whom it needs to question again; once the judge's summons order is issued, attendance is required. Article 166 deals with the truthfulness of testimony: a witness who is proven to have made statements that he knows are untrue is sentenced to ta'zir for the offense of false testimony.
A person summoned to testify who has an excuse or a question about his position can consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
Practical example
Fahd received an order from the judge to attend to testify in a theft case before a court in Qassim. Under this article, he must attend at the time and place specified in the order.
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 165 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
Must I attend if I am summoned to testify?
Yes. Every person called to give testimony by order of the judge must attend at the time and place specified.
Is the rule different for testimony in hudud cases?
The article provides that what is established by Sharia for testimony in hudud cases is to be taken into account, without detailing those rulings.
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.