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Article 45 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice

المادة 45 من نظام المحاماة · الباب الخامس: تنظيم الترخيص لمكتب المحاماة الأجنبي لمزاولة مهنة المحاماة في المملكة

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.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

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 دولية متميزة في مجال مزاولة مهنة المحاماة وفق المؤشرات والتقارير التنافسية الدولية ذات الصلة.

2- أن يكون قد مضى على تأسيسه مدة لا تقل عن (عشر) سنوات.

3- أن يكون لديه تمثيل أو شراكات فيما لا يقل عن (ثلاث) دول مختلفة، أو (خمسة) أقاليم داخل دولة واحدة إذا كانت الأنظمة أو التنظيمات داخل تلك الدولة تسمح بالاختلاف بين الأقاليم فيما يتصل بالأحكام المنظمة لمزاولة مهنة المحاماة. وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام المعايير الواجب توافرها في تلك الدول أو الأقاليم بحسب الحال.

4- أن يسمي شريكين -على الأقل- يمثلانه في المملكة، على أن يلتزم المكتب بإقامتهما في المملكة مدة لا تقل عن (مائة وثمانين) يومًا في السنة. وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام الأحكام اللازمة لما ورد في هذه الفقرة.

5- سداد رسوم الترخيص وفق ما تقضي به الفقرة (2) من المادة (الثامنة والأربعين) من هذا النظام، وله استردادها في حال رفض طلبه 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 45 explained in plain English

This article sets out what a foreign law firm must meet to be licensed to practice in the Kingdom, without prejudice to the provisions and conditions of the Foreign Investment Law; that is, these conditions are added to those and do not replace them.

The conditions:

  1. International reputation: It must have a distinguished international reputation in the practice of law according to the relevant international competitive indicators and reports.
  2. Age: At least 10 years must have passed since its establishment.
  3. Reach: It must have representation or partnerships in at least 3 different countries, or in 5 regions within one country if that country's laws allow regions to differ in the provisions governing the practice of law. The Implementing Regulations set the standards required in those countries or regions.
  4. The two partners: It must name at least two partners to represent it in the Kingdom, and it must commit to their residing in the Kingdom for at least 180 days a year; the Regulations set the provisions needed for this.
  5. Fees: It must pay the license fees under paragraph (2) of Article 48, and it may recover them if its application is rejected.

This article is connected to Article 44, which prohibits the foreign firm from practicing except under a license under the Law, and to Article 46, which exempts an application for a temporary license to provide legal consultancy for a specific project from the two-resident-partners condition. To assess whether a particular firm meets these conditions, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in foreign investment and the regulation of the legal profession.

Practical example

A foreign law firm established 12 years ago, with offices in 4 countries, wants to be licensed in the Kingdom. It must prove its international reputation according to the international indicators, name two partners who reside in the Kingdom for at least 180 days a year, and pay the license fees, while also meeting the requirements of the Foreign Investment Law. If its application is rejected, it may recover the fees.

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 45 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice

What are the conditions for licensing a foreign law firm in Saudi Arabia?

Distinguished international reputation, 10 years since establishment, representation in 3 countries or 5 regions on conditions, naming two partners who reside 180 days a year, and payment of the license fees.

How many days a year must the foreign firm's two partners reside in the Kingdom?

Their residence must be not less than 180 days a year.

Are the license fees refunded if the application is rejected?

Yes. The article provides that the firm may recover the fees if its application for a license is rejected.

Articles this article refers to

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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.