Article 20 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
المادة 20 من نظام مزاولة المهن الصحية
The article prohibits the physician from giving a death report before confirming the cause of death, or at all if a criminal cause is suspected, in which case the physician must immediately notify the authorities.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز للطبيب الذي يدعى إلى توقيع كشف طبي على متوفى أن يعطي تقريرًا بالوفاة إلا بعد أن يتأكد بحسب خبرته الطبية من سبب الوفاة.
ومع ذلك لا يجوز للطبيب أن يعطي تقريرًا إذا اشتبه في أن الوفاة ناجمة عن حادث جنائي، وعليه في هذه الحالة إبلاغ السلطات المختصة فورًا بذلك.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article regulates the physician's role when asked to sign a medical examination of a deceased person and give a death report, and sets two rules:
First: confirming the cause. The physician may not give a death report except after confirming the cause of death, according to their medical expertise. The report is not a formality signed without examination.
Second: criminal suspicion. If the physician suspects that the death resulted from a criminal incident:
- they may not give a death report.
- and they must immediately notify the competent authorities.
Suspicion is enough for this rule to apply, as the text does not require certainty that the death was criminal.
This article is connected to Article 21, which allows the healthcare practitioner to disclose a secret if the aim is to report a death resulting from a criminal incident, provided the disclosure is only to the competent official authority. So the physician's notification here is not a breach of the duty of confidentiality. It also follows Article 19, which prohibits ending the life of a patient with no medical hope of recovery even at their request. Anyone with a question about a death report in a particular case may consult a lawyer specialized in healthcare practice and medical malpractice cases.
Practical example
A physician at a hospital in Al-Ahsa was asked to write a death report for a man found dead in his home, and noticed signs on the body that raise suspicion of an assault. The physician may not give the report in this case, and must notify the competent authorities immediately.
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 20 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
When may a doctor issue a death report?
After confirming the cause of death according to their medical expertise.
What does a doctor do if they suspect the death was criminal?
They do not give a death report, and must immediately notify the competent authorities.
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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.