Article 19 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 19 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الأول: رفع الدعوى الجزائية
The article requires the court, if it finds accused persons other than those the case was brought against, or other facts related to the charge, to notify whoever brought the case so the procedures can be completed.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا تبين للمحكمة - في دعوى مقامة أمامها - أن هناك متهمين غير من أقيمت الدعوى عليهم، أو وقائع أخرى مرتبطة بالتهمة المعروضة، فعليها إبلاغ من رفع الدعوى بذلك؛ لاستكمال الإجراءات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام.
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 19 explained in plain English
This article deals with a situation that arises while a case is being heard, when the court finds the picture is wider than the case as brought.
The two cases covered: If it appears to the court, in a case brought before it:
- that there are accused persons other than those the case was brought against, or
- that there are other facts related to the charge before it.
The court's duty: It must notify whoever brought the case of this, so that the procedures provided in the Law can be completed.
The article does not have the court try the new accused persons directly under it, but requires it to notify whoever brought the case so that he completes the procedures the Law provides. Whoever brought the case may be the public prosecution or the victim, as the case may be, and the article uses the general expression "whoever brought the case".
This differs from the rule in Article 6, which allows the court to consider facts not alleged by the public prosecutor that need no investigation.
This article is also connected to Article 20, which allows the court to consider and rule, as Sharia requires, on acts that disrupt its orders or the respect due to it or affect one of its members, the parties to the case or the witnesses, if that is in connection with a case being heard before it.
Practical example
A court in Riyadh is hearing a theft case against one person, and it appears to it from the papers that another person took part with him. Under this article the court must notify whoever brought the case of this, so that he completes the procedures provided in the Law concerning the other accused.
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 19 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
What does the court do if it discovers another accused against whom the case was not brought?
It must notify whoever brought the case, so that the procedures provided in the Law can be completed.
Does the rule cover new facts related to the charge?
Yes. If it appears to the court that there are other facts related to the charge before it, it must notify whoever brought the case.
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.