Article 41 of the Saudi Environment Law

This Article identifies the judicial authority that considers the most serious violations of the Environment Law: the competent court. It considers the violations referred to in Article 40 and imposes their penalties, which are imprisonment of up to ten years and a fine of up to SAR 30,000,000, or either. This is without prejudice to Article 43, which requires the violator to remove the effects of the violation, carry out rehabilitation and pay compensation in accordance with the regulations.

In addition, the court may:

1. Confiscate the seized items that are the subject of the violation.
2. Hold the vessel suspected of violating the Law and regulations for a period not exceeding 90 days, and rule to confiscate it if the violation is proven.
3. Impose a daily fine for each day the violator continues the violation after being notified of the judgment, starting from the date the judgment specifies.
4. Double the fine if the same violation is repeated within one year of the date the previous judgment became final.
5. Publish a summary of the judgment at the violator's expense in a local newspaper in the place of his residence or the nearest area to him, or by any other suitable means, depending on the type, seriousness and impact of the violation, with publication taking place after the judgment becomes final.

Note that holding a vessel applies when there is suspicion and for a limited period, whereas confiscating it applies only when the violation is proven.

Article 42 completes this framework: the Public Prosecution, in accordance with its law, investigates the violations in Article 40 and prosecutes before the competent court. If you are a party to a case of this kind, you may wish to consult a lawyer who specializes in environmental and criminal matters.