Article 4 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
المادة 4 من نظام المحاماة · الباب الأول: تعريف مهنة المحاماة وشروط مزاولتها
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يستثنى من الفقرتين (ب،ج) من المادة الثالثة، من سبقت له ممارسة القضاء في المملكة لمدة لا تقل عن ثلاث سنوات.
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 4 explained in plain English
Article 3 sets conditions for enrolling a name in the register of practicing lawyers, including the academic qualification condition in paragraph (b) and the practical experience condition in paragraph (c). This Article sets a specific exception from these two conditions only.
Who is covered by the exception? Anyone who previously served as a judge in the Kingdom for a period of not less than three years. It is not enough that the person worked as a judge for a shorter period, and the Article makes no reference to service as a judge outside the Kingdom.
What is he exempt from?
- The condition of holding the qualification specified in paragraph (b) of Article 3 (a bachelor's degree in Sharia or Law or the equivalent, or the Institute of Public Administration diploma in law).
- The condition of the period of experience specified in paragraph (c) of Article 3.
What is still required? Because the exception is limited to paragraphs (b) and (c), the remaining conditions of Article 3 stay in place: Saudi nationality or what the agreements allow, good conduct and not being under interdiction, the absence of the disqualifying conviction in paragraph (e), and residence in the Kingdom, in addition to the declaration whose form the Minister of Justice sets.
The application for enrollment is then submitted under Article 5 to the committee for enrolling and admitting lawyers. Anyone with judicial service who wants to confirm that it will be counted would do best to consult a lawyer specializing in the laws regulating the legal profession.
Practical example
Abdullah served as a judge in one of the Kingdom's courts for four years, then resigned and wishes to practice law. Because his judicial service in the Kingdom is not less than three years, he is exempt from the qualification and experience conditions in paragraphs (b) and (c) of Article 3, but he must meet the other conditions, such as residence in the Kingdom and good conduct.
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 4 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
Does a former judge need years of experience to become a lawyer?
No. If he served as a judge in the Kingdom for not less than three years, he is exempt from the qualification and experience conditions in paragraphs (b) and (c) of Article 3.
Is a former judge exempt from all the conditions for enrollment?
No. The exception is limited to paragraphs (b) and (c) of Article 3, and the other conditions are still required.
Articles this article refers to
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 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
- 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
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.