Article 34 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
المادة 34 من نظام المحاماة · الباب الثالث: تأديب المحامي
The Article allows a lawyer to object to a disciplinary decision in absentia within 15 days of notification or receipt of a copy, with the objection submitted by him or his agent to the Disciplinary Committee through its chairman.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز للمحامي أن يعترض على القرار الغيابي الذي يصدر بحقه خلال خمسة عشر يوما من تاريخ تبليغه أو تسلم صورة منه، ويقدم الاعتراض من المحامي أو وكيله إلى لجنة التأديب بوساطة رئيسها.
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 34 explained in plain English
If the Disciplinary Committee issues a decision in absentia against a lawyer, this Article gives him an opportunity to object to it before the same committee.
Elements of the rule:
- Subject of the objection: the decision in absentia issued against the lawyer.
- The period: 15 days starting from the date he is notified of the decision or the date he receives a copy of it.
- Who submits the objection: the lawyer himself or his agent.
- The body: the objection is submitted to the Disciplinary Committee through its chairman.
This Article is connected to Article 33, which provides that disciplinary decisions are notified through a process server, and that handing a copy of the decision to the lawyer by the legal means takes the place of notification; this Article therefore mentions notification and receipt of a copy as the starting point of the objection period.
The Article does not state what follows if the 15-day period is missed or how the objection is heard, as these details do not appear in its text. Because the period is short, a lawyer against whom a decision in absentia has been issued would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in the laws regulating the legal profession immediately, so that the objection is filed in time.
Practical example
A lawyer in Makkah was outside the Kingdom when the Disciplinary Committee issued a decision in absentia against him. On his return he received a copy of the decision, and the 15-day period started from that day. He appointed a colleague, who submitted the objection to the Disciplinary Committee through its chairman before the period ended.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentA question about Article 34 of Law of Legal Practice?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
Administrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Active contributor
Unwan Law Firm
Frequently asked questions about Article 34 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
What is the period to object to a decision in absentia of the lawyers' Disciplinary Committee?
15 days from the date the lawyer is notified of the decision or receives a copy of it.
To whom is the objection to a decision in absentia submitted?
To the Disciplinary Committee, through its chairman.
May an agent submit the objection in place of the lawyer?
Yes. The Article provides that the objection is submitted by the lawyer or his agent.
More articles on Lawyer Discipline and Penalties
- Article 29Amended (1443 AH)
The Article provides for striking off a lawyer and a foreign law office on conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, and sets professional penalties: a warning, suspension up to 3 years, striking off, and a fine up to SAR 300,000.
1- يشطب اسم المحامي المرخص له من الجدول ويلغى ترخيصه إذا حكم عليه بعقوبة في جريمة مخلة بالشرف أو الأمانة. 2- يشطب مكتب المحاماة الأجنبي المرخص له من سجل مكاتب ا
- Article 30Amended (1443 AH)
The Article authorizes the Minister of Justice to issue rules and procedures for detection, bringing the disciplinary case and hearing it, in a manner suited to its nature.
يصدر وزير العدل قواعد وإجراءات الضبط ورفع الدعوى التأديبية ونظرها بما يتناسب مع طبيعتها
- Article 31
The Article establishes the Disciplinary Committee by decision of the Minister of Justice, sets its composition, members' terms and how it meets, and allows appeal of its decisions to the Board of Grievances within 60 days.
يشكل وزير العدل بقرار منه، لجنة أو أكثر للنظر في توقيع العقوبات التأديبية الواردة في المادة التاسعة والعشرين من هذا النظام، وتسمى (( لجنة التأديب )). وتكون من ق
- Article 32
The Article requires the lawyer to be notified by official letter stating the violation and its evidence at least 15 days before the hearing, allows him to attend or appoint an agent, and permits a decision in absentia after he has been notified twice.
يُبلغ المحامي بالحضور أمام لجنة التأديب بخطاب رسمي، تبين فيه المخالفة المنسوبة إليه وأدلتها بإيجاز، وذلك قبل موعد الجلسة المحددة بمدة لا تقل عن خمسة عشر يوما. و
- Article 33
The Article requires the disciplinary decision to be reasoned and issued after hearing the accusation and the defense in a closed session, and regulates its notification, recording, and the publication of the operative part of a final striking-off or suspension decision at the lawyer's expense.
يصدر قرار لجنة التأديب بعد سماع الاتهام ودفاع المحامي، ويجب أن يكون القرار مسببا، وأن تتلى أسبابه كاملة عند النطق به في جلسة سرية، وتبلغ وزارة العدل منطوق القرا
- Article 35
This article moves a suspended lawyer to the list of non-practicing lawyers, bars him from opening his office, penalizes practice during suspension with removal and license cancellation, and leaves pending cases to rules issued by the Minister.
يترتب على الإيقاف عن مزاولة مهنة المحاماة نقل اسم المحامي الموقوف من جدول المحامين الممارسين إلى جدول المحامين غير الممارسين. ولا يجوز للمحامي الموقوف فتح مكتبه
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.