Article 44 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
المادة 44 من نظام المحاماة · الباب الخامس: تنظيم الترخيص لمكتب المحاماة الأجنبي لمزاولة مهنة المحاماة في المملكة
The article defines a foreign law firm as a non-Saudi establishment licensed to practice law in another country, and prohibits it from practicing law in the Kingdom unless licensed under the Law and within the limits of that license.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يقصد بمكتب المحاماة الأجنبي، لغرض تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام والترخيص له بمزاولة مهنة المحاماة في المملكة: المنشأة غير السعودية التي تزاول أعمال مهنة المحاماة بناءً على ترخيص وفق الأحكام المنظمة للمهنة في دولة (أو دول) أخرى.
2- يحظر على مكتب المحاماة الأجنبي مزاولة مهنة المحاماة في المملكة، ما لم يكن مرخصًا له بذلك وفق أحكام هذا النظام وفي حدود ذلك الترخيص".
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 44 explained in plain English
This article lays the foundation for regulating the work of foreign law firms in the Kingdom through two matters: a definition and a prohibition.
The definition: A foreign law firm, for the purpose of applying the Law and licensing it, is a non-Saudi establishment that practices the work of the legal profession under a license issued in accordance with the provisions governing the profession in another country or countries. What counts is two things: that the establishment is non-Saudi, and that it is licensed to practice law outside the Kingdom.
The prohibition:
- A foreign law firm is prohibited from practicing in the Kingdom unless it is licensed under the provisions of this Law.
- Even after licensing, its work is limited to the limits of that license, and it may not go beyond its scope.
This means a foreign license alone is not enough to work in the Kingdom. Article 45 sets out the conditions for licensing, including distinguished international reputation, 10 years since establishment, representation in at least 3 countries or 5 regions within one country on conditions, naming two partners who reside in the Kingdom for at least 180 days a year, and payment of the license fees, all without prejudice to the Foreign Investment Law.
Saudi companies dealing with a foreign firm would do well to check its license and its scope. To learn the licensing requirements in a particular case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in foreign investment and the regulation of the legal profession.
Practical example
A law firm based in London and licensed there wants to offer its services to clients in Riyadh. Under this article it is a foreign law firm, and it may not practice law in the Kingdom until it obtains a license under the Law of Legal Practice, and then only within what the license permits.
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 44 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
What is a foreign law firm under Saudi law?
It is a non-Saudi establishment that practices law under a license issued in accordance with the provisions governing the profession in another country or countries.
May a foreign law firm work in Saudi Arabia?
Only if it is licensed under the provisions of the Law of Legal Practice, and within the limits of that license.
Is the firm's license in its home country enough to work in the Kingdom?
No. The article prohibits practicing in the Kingdom unless the firm is licensed under this Law.
More articles on Foreign Law Firms
- Article 45
The article sets five conditions for licensing a foreign law firm: distinguished international reputation, 10 years since establishment, representation in 3 countries, two partners residing 180 days a year, and payment of fees.
دون إخلال بالأحكام والشروط الواردة في نظام الاستثمار الأجنبي، يشترط للترخيص لمكتب المحاماة الأجنبي لمزاولة مهنة المحاماة في المملكة ما يأتي: 1- أن يكون ذا سمعة
- Article 46
The article allows a foreign law firm to apply for a temporary license to provide legal consultancy for a specific project in the Kingdom, as an exception to the resident-partners condition, according to the Regulations' requirements.
استثناءً من الشرط الوارد في الفقرة (4) من المادة (الخامسة والأربعين) من هذا النظام، لمكتب المحاماة الأجنبي التقدم بطلب ترخيص مؤقت لتقديم خدمات الاستشارات النظام
- Article 47
The article provides that applications to license and renew licenses of foreign law firms go to the committee referred to in Article 5, and that the license is issued by decision of the Minister of Justice on its recommendation.
1- تقدم طلبات ترخيص مكاتب المحاماة الأجنبية، وطلبات تجديده؛ إلى اللجنة المنصوص عليها في المادة (الخامسة) من هذا النظام، وفق النماذج المعدة لذلك، مرافقًا لها جمي
- Article 48
The article sets the license period of a foreign law firm at five years, renewable on the Article 45 conditions, with a fee of SAR 2,000 for issuance and SAR 1,000 for renewal.
1- تكون مدة الترخيص لمزاولة مكتب المحاماة الأجنبي مهنة المحاماة في المملكة (خمس) سنوات، قابلة للتجديد لمدة أو لمدد أخرى مماثلة وفقاً للشروط المحددة في المادة (ا
- Article 49
The article establishes at the Ministry of Justice a special register of licensed foreign law firms, including those with a temporary license, in which they are recorded after being licensed, with the Regulations specifying its contents.
يُنشأ في وزارة العدل سجل خاص لمكاتب المحاماة الأجنبية المرخص لها بمزاولة مهنة المحاماة في المملكة، بما في ذلك المكاتب الحاصلة على الترخيص المؤقت المشار إليه في
- Article 50
The article requires a licensed foreign law firm, except one with a temporary license, to adopt one of two forms before practicing: a professional company with a practicing Saudi lawyer, or a branch in the Kingdom.
فيما عدا مكتب المحاماة الأجنبي الحاصل على الترخيص المؤقت المشار إليه في المادة (السادسة والأربعين) من هذا النظام، على مكتب المحاماة الأجنبي المرخص له اتخاذ أحد
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.