Article 33 of the Saudi Law of the Judiciary
المادة 33 من نظام القضاء
In addition to the conditions of Article 31, the grade of judicial lieutenant requires a university degree with an overall grade of at least Good and at least Very Good in jurisprudence and its principles.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يشترط فيمن يشغل درجة ملازم قضائي - بالإضافة إلى ما ورد في المادة الحادية والثلاثين من هذا النظام، أن يكون قد حصل على الشهادة الجامعية بتقدير عام لا يقل عن (جيد) وبتقدير لا يقل عن (جيد جدا) في الفقه وأصوله.
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 33 explained in plain English
This article sets out the specific academic condition for a person appointed to the grade of judicial lieutenant, the first of the grades of the judicial corps under Article 32.
It is not enough for an applicant to meet the general conditions for becoming a judge in Article 31, which in brief are:
- being a Saudi national by origin.
- being of good character and conduct.
- having full capacity for the judiciary as provided under Sharia.
- holding a degree from one of the Sharia colleges in the Kingdom or an equivalent degree, with success in a special examination prepared by the Supreme Judicial Council in the case of an equivalent degree.
- being at least twenty-two years old (for grades other than appeal judge).
- not having been convicted of a crime involving a breach of religion or honor, or been the subject of a disciplinary decision dismissing him from a public post, even if his reputation has been restored.
Article 33 goes further and adds two conditions relating to the academic grade:
- An overall grade of at least (Good) in the university degree.
- A grade of at least (Very Good) in jurisprudence and its principles.
This means that a person with an overall grade of (Good) but below (Very Good) in jurisprudence and its principles does not meet the condition of this article, and likewise a person with (Very Good) in jurisprudence whose overall grade is below (Good). The two conditions apply together with the conditions of Article 31, and neither makes up for the other.
Practical example
Faisal graduated from a Sharia college in the Kingdom with an overall grade of (Very Good) and a grade of (Excellent) in jurisprudence and its principles, and he is a Saudi national by origin aged 24. If he meets the other conditions of Article 31, he meets the grade condition for the grade of judicial lieutenant. His colleague who obtained (Good) in jurisprudence and its principles does not meet this condition even if his overall grade is (Very Good).
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 33 of the Saudi Law of the Judiciary
What grade is required for appointment as a judicial lieutenant?
An overall grade of at least (Good), and a grade of at least (Very Good) in jurisprudence and its principles.
Is a Good grade enough for appointment to the judiciary?
An overall grade of (Good) is enough, but the grade in jurisprudence and its principles must be at least (Very Good), and the conditions of Article 31 must be met.
What is the minimum age for appointment as a judicial lieutenant?
Article 31 requires that the age be at least twenty-two years for a person appointed to a grade other than appeal judge.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Conditions for Appointing Judges
- Article 31
The article sets the conditions for becoming a judge: Saudi nationality by origin, good conduct, full legal capacity, a Sharia college degree or equivalent with an exam, a minimum age, and no disqualifying conviction or disciplinary dismissal.
يشترط فيمن يولى القضاء: أ - أن يكون سعودي الجنسية بالأصل. ب - أن يكون حسن السيرة والسلوك. ج - أن يكون متمتعًا بالأهلية الكاملة للقضاء بحسب ما نص عليه شرعا. د -
- Article 32
The article sets the grades of the judicial corps in the Kingdom from judicial lieutenant to president of the Supreme Court, and provides that they are filled under the provisions of the Law of the Judiciary.
درجات السلك القضائي هي: ملازم قضائي، قاضي (ج) قاضي (ب) قاضي (أ)، وكيل محكمة (ب)، وكيل محكمة (أ)، ورئيس محكمة (ب)، رئيس محكمة (أ)، قاضي استئناف، رئيس محكمة استئن
- Article 44
The article sets a probation period of two years for a judicial lieutenant and one year for a judge appointed initially, and gives a person first appointed to the judicial corps an allowance equal to three months' salary.
1- تكون مدة التجربة للملازم القضائي سنتين، من تاريخ مباشرته العمل بعد صدور قرار من المجلس الأعلى للقضاء بتعيينه على هذه الوظيفة. فإن رئي خلال هذه المدة عدم صلاح
- Article 47
The article provides that appointment and promotion in the judicial grades are by royal order on a decision of the Supreme Judicial Council, and sets the promotion criteria: seniority, then efficiency, then age.
يجري التعيين والترقية في درجات السلك القضائي بأمر ملكي بناءً على قرار من المجلس الأعلى للقضاء يوضح فيه توافر الشروط النظامية في كل حالة على حدة. ويراعي المجلس ف
- Article 76
The article requires anyone appointed as a notary to meet the conditions in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (f) of Article 31, which sets the conditions for taking up judicial office.
يشترط فيمن يعين على وظيفة كاتب عدل أن تتوافر فيه الشروط المنصوص عليها في الفقرات (أ)، و(ب) و(ج)، و(د)، و(و) من المادة الحادية والثلاثين من هذا النظام.
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.