Article 38 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
المادة 38 من نظام المحاماة · الباب الرابع: أحكام عامة وانتقالية
The article lets Saudi lawyers and consultants licensed before the Law continue, provided they apply within 5 years to the Lawyers' Registration and Admission Committee, and lets the Minister extend the period up to a maximum of 5 years on conditions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يستمر المحامون والمستشارون السعوديون الذين لديهم إجازات توكيل أو تراخيص نافذة صادرة من وزارة العدل أو وزارة التجارة وفق الأنظمة السارية وقت صدورها بممارسة عملهم، بشرط أن يتقدموا خلال خمس سنوات من تاريخ نفاذ هذا النظام إلى لجنة قيد وقبول المحامين المنصوص عليها في المادة الخامسة من هذا النظام، وعلى هذه اللجنة قيدهم في جدول المحامين وإصدار تراخيص جديدة لهم وفقا لأحكام هذا النظام، وعلى الجهات المختصة التي سبق أن أصدرت تلك الإجازات والتراخيص أن تحيل إلى اللجنة جميع الأوراق والمستندات التي تم بموجبها منحهم الإجازات أو التراخيص.
على أنه يجوز لوزير العدل تمديد المدة المشار إليها في هذه المادة بحيث لا تتجاوز خمس سنوات كحد أقصى للمحامين السعوديين الذين لديهم تراخيص متى توافرت لديهم الشروط المحددة في المادة الثالثة من هذا النظام، عدا شرط المؤهل الوارد في الفقرة (ب) من المادة المذكورة، على أن يقوموا بدفع رسم التجديد المنصوص عليه في المادة السابعة من هذا النظام.
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 38 explained in plain English
This is a transitional article that deals with the position of those who were practicing law or consultancy before this Law came into force.
Who it covers: Saudi lawyers and consultants who hold valid power-of-attorney permits or licenses issued by the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Commerce under the regulations in force when they were issued.
The original rule:
- They continue to practice their work.
- On condition that they apply, within 5 years from the date the Law takes effect, to the Lawyers' Registration and Admission Committee referred to in Article 5.
- The committee must register them in the lawyers' list and issue them new licenses under the provisions of the Law.
- The authorities that issued the earlier permits and licenses must refer to the committee all the papers and documents under which they were granted.
Extension: The Minister of Justice may extend this period, up to a maximum of 5 years, for Saudi lawyers who hold licenses, on two conditions:
- They must meet the conditions set out in Article 3, except the qualification requirement in paragraph (b) of it.
- They must pay the renewal fee provided for in Article 7.
Note that the extension is mentioned for Saudi lawyers who hold licenses, whereas the original rule covered lawyers and consultants together. This article differs from Article 39, which deals with the position of previously licensed non-Saudis. Anyone with an old license who wants to know his position would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in the laws governing the legal profession.
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 38 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
Do lawyers' licenses issued before the Law of Legal Practice remain valid?
Their holders continue to work provided they apply to the Lawyers' Registration and Admission Committee within 5 years of the Law taking effect, to be registered and issued new licenses.
Can the five-year period be extended?
Yes. The Minister of Justice may extend it up to a maximum of 5 years for licensed Saudi lawyers, if they meet the conditions of Article 3 except the qualification requirement and pay the renewal fee.
Is the qualification required when the period is extended?
No. The article excludes the qualification requirement in paragraph (b) of Article 3 for those given an extension.
Articles this article refers to
- 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 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 7
The Article provides that the law license is issued by decision of the Minister of Justice after enrollment in the register for five years, renewable, with a fee of SAR 2,000 on issue and SAR 1,000 on renewal.
يصدر الترخيص بمزاولة مهنة المحاماة بعد القيد في الجدول بقرار من وزير العدل ، وفقا لأنموذج تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام، وتكون مدته خمس سنوات قابلة للتجدي
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.