Article 49 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
المادة 49 من نظام المحاماة · الباب الخامس: تنظيم الترخيص لمكتب المحاماة الأجنبي لمزاولة مهنة المحاماة في المملكة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 المادة (السادسة والأربعين) من هذا النظام، بحيث تقيد فيه تلك المكاتب بعد حصولها على الترخيص وفق أحكام هذا النظام. وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام البيانات الواجب توافرها في هذا السجل.
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 49 explained in plain English
This article regulates the recording of foreign law firms officially licensed with the Ministry of Justice.
Elements of the rule:
- The register: A special register is established at the Ministry of Justice for foreign law firms licensed to practice in the Kingdom.
- Who it covers: All licensed firms, including firms that hold the temporary license referred to in Article 46, that is, the temporary license to provide legal consultancy for a specific project.
- Timing of registration: Firms are recorded in the register after obtaining the license under the provisions of the Law.
- The information: It is specified by the Implementing Regulations; the article does not state it.
Benefit of the register: An official register gives the Ministry a reference for licensed foreign firms. The article does not provide that the register is open to the public or how it may be consulted; these details do not appear in its text.
This article is connected to Article 48, which sets the license period at 5 years, renewable, and its fee at SAR 2,000 on issuance and SAR 1,000 on renewal, and to Article 50, which requires a licensed firm, other than one with the temporary license, to adopt one of two forms before practicing: a professional company with a Saudi lawyer, or a branch in the Kingdom. Anyone who wants to verify the status of a foreign firm he is dealing with can consult a lawyer specialized in foreign investment and the regulation of 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 49 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
Is there a register of foreign law firms in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. A special register of licensed foreign law firms is established at the Ministry of Justice, in which they are recorded after obtaining the license.
Are firms with a temporary license recorded in the register?
Yes. The article provides that the register includes firms holding the temporary license referred to in Article 46.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Foreign Law Firms
- Article 44
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.
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 بن
- 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 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.