Article 21 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
المادة 21 من نظام المحاماة · الباب الثاني: واجبات المحامين وحقوقهم
The Article requires every lawyer to have one or more seats for handling the cases entrusted to him, and to notify the Ministry of Justice of the address of his seat and any change to it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على كل محام أن يتخذ له مقرا أو أكثر لمباشرة القضايا الموكل عليها، وعليه أن يشعر وزارة العدل بعنوان مقره وبأي تغيير يطرأ عليه.
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 21 explained in plain English
This Article places two obligations on the lawyer relating to his place of work:
- Having a seat: every lawyer must have one or more seats for handling the cases entrusted to him. The minimum is one seat, and he may have several.
- Notifying the Ministry of Justice: he must notify the Ministry of the address of his seat, and likewise of any change to it; the obligation is continuing and does not end with the first notification.
The Article does not set specifications for the seat, a specific period for notifying a change, or the method of notification.
The importance of this rule for a party to a case is that it ensures the lawyer has a known, registered address at which he can be contacted and which the body regulating the profession knows.
The Article is connected to Article 20, which requires the lawyer to submit the original of his power of attorney or a certified copy at the first hearing he attends for his client, and to Article 21 bis, which requires every person licensed to practice the profession to obtain basic membership in the Saudi Bar Association within ninety days of obtaining the license. If a lawyer needs to know the detailed procedures, it would be best for him to consult the Ministry of Justice or a lawyer specializing in the laws regulating the legal profession.
Practical example
A woman lawyer works from an office in Al-Olaya district in Riyadh and then moved to a new office in north Riyadh. She must notify the Ministry of Justice of the address of her new seat, because the Article requires notification of any change to the address of the seat.
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 21 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
Must a lawyer have an office?
Yes. Every lawyer must have one or more seats for handling the cases entrusted to him.
Must the Ministry of Justice be told when a lawyer's office address changes?
Yes. The lawyer must notify the Ministry of Justice of the address of his seat and of any change to it.
More articles on Duties of the Lawyer
- Article 11
The Article requires a lawyer to practice his profession in accordance with Sharia principles and the laws in force, to refrain from anything that undermines its dignity, and to respect the rules and instructions issued for it.
على المحامي مزاولة مهنته وفقا للأصول الشرعية والأنظمة المرعية، والامتناع عن أي عمل يخل بكرامتها، واحترام القواعد والتعليمات الصادرة في هذا الشأن.
- Article 12
The Article bars a lawyer from touching on personal matters of his client's opponent or the opponent's lawyer, and requires him to refrain from insults or accusations that affect honor and dignity.
لا يجوز للمحامي أن يتعرض للأمور الشخصية الخاصة بخصم موكله أو محاميه، وعليه أن يمتنع عن السب أو الاتهام بما يمس الشرف والكرامة.
- Article 14
The Article bars a lawyer from accepting a case or giving a consultation against a body he works for or whose relationship ended less than 5 years ago, or against his client under a part-time contract within 3 years.
1- لا يجوز للمحامي بنفسه أو بوساطة محام آخر أن يقبل أي دعوى أو يعطي أي استشارة ضد جهة يعمل لديها، أو ضد جهة انتهت علاقته بها، إلا بعد مضي مدة لا تقل عن خمس سنوا
- Article 15
The Article bars a lawyer, himself or through another, from accepting agency for his client's opponent or giving him any help in the same case or a related case, even after his agency has ended.
لا يجوز للمحامي بنفسه أو بوساطة محام آخر أن يقبل الوكالة عن خصم موكله أو أن يبدي له أي معونة، ولو على سبيل الرأي في دعوى سبق له أن قبل الوكالة فيها أو في دعوى ذ
- Article 16
The Article bars a person who was a judge before practicing law from accepting agency, himself or through another lawyer, in a case that was before him.
لا يجوز لمن كان قاضيا قبل مزاولة مهنة المحاماة أن يقبل الوكالة بنفسه أو بوساطة محام آخر في دعوى كانت معروضة عليه.
- Article 17
The Article bars a person who gave an opinion in a case as an employee, arbitrator or expert from accepting agency in that case.
لا يجوز لمن أبدى رأيه في قضية بصفته موظفا أو محكما أو خبيرا، أن يقبل الوكالة في تلك القضية.
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.