Article 10 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
المادة 10 من نظام المحاماة · الباب الأول: تعريف مهنة المحاماة وشروط مزاولتها
The Article allows a professional law firm to be formed between two or more lawyers enrolled in the register, as provided by the Professional Companies Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز تكوين شركة مهنية للمحاماة بين اثنين أو أكثر من المقيدين في الجدول، وفقا لما يقضي به نظام الشركات المهنية.
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 10 explained in plain English
This Article opens the door for lawyers to work together in a single entity instead of individually, through the professional law firm.
Conditions of formation as stated in the Article:
- The firm is formed between two or more persons.
- The partners must be persons enrolled in the register.
- Formation must be as provided by the Professional Companies Law.
The Article does not detail the formation procedures, the form of the firm, or the distribution of profits or responsibilities, but refers to the Professional Companies Law for all of that; it is the reference for the detailed rules of these firms.
The practical benefit of this rule is that lawyers can combine their expertise and divide work among themselves within a legal framework, and parties to cases benefit from having a team of lawyers in one place.
The Article is connected to Article 9, which requires a lawyer who stops practicing for more than a year to notify the Ministry of Justice, and to Article 11, which requires a lawyer to practice his profession in accordance with Sharia principles and the laws in force; these are obligations for which each lawyer remains responsible. Anyone who wants to set up a professional firm would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in professional companies and the laws regulating the legal profession to arrange the partnership contract and procedures.
Practical example
Two lawyers in Riyadh, both enrolled in the register, each work in a separate office and have agreed to combine their work. This Article allows them to form a professional law firm, following in its establishment and organization what the Professional Companies Law provides.
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 10 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
May lawyers set up a law firm?
Yes. A professional law firm may be formed between two or more persons enrolled in the register.
Which law governs law firms?
The Article refers to the Professional Companies Law for the rules on forming these firms.
How many partners does a professional law firm need?
Two or more persons enrolled in the register.
More articles on Conditions for Practicing Law
- Article 1
The Article defines the legal profession as pleading for others before the courts, the Board of Grievances and competent committees, and giving Sharia and legal consultations, and confirms every person's right to plead for himself.
يقصد بمهنة المحاماة في هذا النظام: الترافع عن الغير أمام المحاكم وديوان المظالم ، واللجان المشكلة بموجب الأنظمة والأوامر والقرارات لنظر القضايا الداخلة في اختصا
- Article 2
The Article requires the Ministry of Justice to prepare two registers for enrolling practicing and non-practicing lawyers, and to move anyone who stops practicing for more than a year to the non-practicing register.
تعد وزارة العدل جدولا عاما لقيد أسماء المحامين الممارسين، وآخر لغير الممارسين حسب وقت تاريخ التسجيل، ويجب أن يشتمل الجدولان على البيانات التي تحددها اللائحة الت
- Article 3Amended (1443 AH)
The Article requires enrollment in the practicing register to practice law, and sets the conditions: nationality, qualification, experience, good conduct, no disqualifying conviction, and residence in the Kingdom.
يشترط فيمن يزاول مهنة المحاماة ، أن يكون اسمه مقيدا في جدول المحامين الممارسين، ويشترط فيمن يقيد اسمه بهذا الجدول ما يأتي : أ - أن يكون سعودي الجنسية، ويجوز لغي
- Article 4
The Article exempts anyone who has served as a judge in the Kingdom for at least three years from the qualification and experience conditions in paragraphs (b) and (c) of Article 3.
يستثنى من الفقرتين (ب،ج) من المادة الثالثة، من سبقت له ممارسة القضاء في المملكة لمدة لا تقل عن ثلاث سنوات.
- Article 5
The Article provides that the application for enrollment is submitted, in a form set by the Regulations, to the Committee for Enrolling and Admitting Lawyers, and describes its composition and members' terms.
يقدم طلب القيد في الجدول وفق أنموذج تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام، إلى لجنة قيد وقبول المحامين، وتؤلف من : 1 - وكيل من وزارة العدل يعينه وزير العدل رئيساً
- Article 6
The Article explains how the Committee for Enrolling and Admitting Lawyers meets, requires it to decide on a complete application within 30 days, and gives a right of grievance to the Board of Grievances within 60 days.
تنعقد اللجنة المنصوص عليها في المادة الخامسة، بحضور جميع أعضائها وتصدر قراراتها بالأغلبية، وعلى اللجنة أن تتحقق من توافر الشروط المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، وتب
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.