Article 218 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 218 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الباب العاشر: أحكام ختامية
The article refers to the Law of Sharia Procedure and the Law of Evidence on matters the Law does not address, so far as consistent with the nature of criminal cases, and permits electronic notification except for notifying prisoners and detainees.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
1- تطبق الأحكام الواردة في نظام المرافعات الشرعية وفي نظام الإثبات فيما لم يرد فيه حكم في هذا النظام بما لا يتعارض مع طبيعة القضايا الجزائية.
2- دون إخلال بما ورد في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة، يجوز استعمال الوسائل الإلكترونية في التبليغات الواردة في هذا النظام، وذلك باستثناء الأحكام المتعلقة بتبليغ السجين والموقوف.
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 218 explained in plain English
This article contains two provisions:
First: recourse to the Law of Sharia Procedure and the Law of Evidence (paragraph 1)
Where the Criminal Procedure Law contains no provision on a matter, the provisions of the Law of Sharia Procedure and the Law of Evidence apply, provided this does not conflict with the nature of criminal cases. The Criminal Procedure Law is the primary source, and the other two laws supplement it where it is silent.
Second: notification by electronic means (paragraph 2)
Without prejudice to paragraph 1, electronic means may be used for the notifications provided for in this Law, except for the provisions on notifying prisoners and detainees; electronic notification is not permitted by the text of the article for these.
Amendments: Paragraph 2 was added by Royal Decree No. (M/18) dated 15/1/1442 AH, and paragraph 1 was then amended by Royal Decree No. (M/43) dated 26/5/1443 AH, adding the Law of Evidence alongside the Law of Sharia Procedure.
The article is connected with Article 219, which leaves it to the regulations of the Law to set the procedures and controls for executing criminal judgments.
To know which rule applies to a particular procedural question in a criminal case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
Practical example
Saad, who is not detained, received an electronic notification in Riyadh of an appointment in a criminal case brought against him. Under paragraph 2, notification by electronic means is permitted in this case; had Saad been a prisoner or detainee, the provisions on notifying him would be excepted from that.
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 218 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
Does the Law of Sharia Procedure apply to criminal cases?
Yes, on matters the Criminal Procedure Law does not address and so far as it does not conflict with the nature of criminal cases; the same applies to the Law of Evidence.
Is electronic notification allowed in criminal cases?
Yes. Electronic means may be used for the notifications provided for in the Law, except for the provisions on notifying prisoners and detainees.
When was the Law of Evidence added to this article?
It was added by the amendment of paragraph 1 by Royal Decree No. (M/43) dated 26/5/1443 AH.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/18 — 15/1/1442 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- إضافة فقرة تحمل الرقم (2) لهذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/18) وتاريخ 1442/1/15هـ، لتصبح كالآتي:
"1- تطبق الأحكام الواردة في نظام المرافعات الشرعية فيما لم يرد فيه حكم في هذا النظام وفيما لا يتعارض مع طبيعة القضايا الجزائية.
2- دون إخلال بما ورد في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة، يجوز استعمال الوسائل الإلكترونية في التبليغات الواردة في هذا النظام، وذلك باستثناء الأحكام المتعلقة بتبليغ السجين والموقوف".
Royal Decree No. M/43 — 26/5/1443 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- تعديل الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة، وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/43) وتاريخ 1443/5/26هـ، لتكون بالنص الآتي: "تطبق الأحكام الواردة في نظام المرافعات الشرعية وفي نظام الإثبات فيما لم يرد فيه حكم في هذا النظام بما لا يتعارض مع طبيعة القضايا الجزائية".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
تطبق الأحكام الواردة في نظام المرافعات الشرعية فيما لم يرد فيه حكم في هذا النظام وفي ما لا يتعارض مع طبيعة القضايا الجزائية.
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.