Article 47 of the Saudi Law of the Judiciary
المادة 47 من نظام القضاء
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 في الترقية ترتيب الأقدمية المطلقة، وعند التساوي يقدم الأكْفاء بموجب تقارير الكفاية، وعند التساوي أو انعدام تقارير الكفاية يقدم الأكبر سنًا. ولا يجوز أن يرقى عضو السلك القضائي الخاضع للتفتيش إلا إذا كان قد جرى التفتيش عليه مرتين على الأقل في الدرجة المراد الترقية منها وثبت في التقريرين الأخيرين السابقين على الترقية أن درجة كفايته لا تقل عن المتوسط.
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 47 explained in plain English
This article regulates the method of appointment and promotion in the grades of the judicial corps and the criteria for choosing between candidates for promotion.
First: the instrument of appointment and promotion. Appointment and promotion are by royal order on a decision of the Supreme Judicial Council, and the decision must state that the legal conditions are met in each case individually.
Second: the order of preference in promotion. The Council takes the following into account in sequence:
- Absolute seniority first.
- If seniority is equal, the more efficient is preferred according to the efficiency reports.
- If efficiency is equal or there are no efficiency reports, the older is preferred.
Third: the inspection condition. A member of the judicial corps who is subject to inspection may not be promoted unless:
- He has been inspected at least twice in the grade from which promotion is sought.
- And it is established in the last two reports preceding the promotion that his efficiency rating is not below average.
This article is connected to Article 46, which protects a member of the judicial corps, other than a lieutenant and a person appointed initially on probation, from removal except on grounds specified in Article 69. It is also connected to Article 48, which provides that the salaries of members of the judicial corps in all their grades follow their own salary scale.
Practical example
Two judges of the grade of judge (B) are nominated for promotion, and they have the same seniority. The Supreme Judicial Council gives preference to the one whose efficiency reports are better. If they are equal in efficiency, the older is preferred. Neither is promoted unless he has been inspected at least twice in his grade and his efficiency in the last two reports is not below average.
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 47 of the Saudi Law of the Judiciary
How are judges appointed in Saudi Arabia?
By royal order on a decision of the Supreme Judicial Council that states that the legal conditions are met in each case individually.
What is the criterion for promoting judges?
Absolute seniority; if equal, the more efficient is preferred according to the efficiency reports; if equal or there are no reports, the older is preferred.
Is a judge promoted if his rating is below average?
A judge subject to inspection is promoted only if it is established in the last two reports preceding the promotion that his efficiency is not below average, after he has been inspected at least twice in his grade.
More articles on Judicial Grades and Promotion
- 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 33
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.
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)
- Article 34
The article requires that a person have spent at least three years in the grade of judicial lieutenant to fill the grade of judge (C).
يشترط فيمن يشغل درجة قاضي (ج) أن يكون قد أمضى في درجة ملازم قضائي ثلاث سنوات على الأقل.
- Article 35Amended (1441 AH)
The article sets the conditions for the grade of judge (B): one year in the grade of judge (C), or one of the alternatives it names of comparable judicial work, teaching, or an academic qualification.
يشترط فيمن يشغل درجة قاضي (ب) أن يكون قد قضى سنة على الأقل في درجة قاضي (ج)، أو اشتغل بأعمال قضائية نظيرة لمدة أربع سنوات على الأقل، أو قام بتدريس الفقه أو أصول
- Article 36
The article requires, for the grade of judge (A), four years in the grade of judge (B), or eight years of comparable judicial work or teaching jurisprudence, or a doctorate in jurisprudence or its principles.
يشترط فيمن يشغل درجة قاضي (أ) أن يكون قد قضى أربع سنوات على الأقل في درجة قاضي (ب) أو اشتغل بأعمال قضائية نظيرة لمدة ثماني سنوات على الأقل، أو قام بتدريس الفقه
- Article 37
The article requires, for the grade of court deputy (B), at least three years in the grade of judge (A), or eleven years of comparable judicial work or teaching jurisprudence or its principles.
يشترط فيمن يشغل درجة وكيل محكمة (ب) أن يكون قد قضى ثلاث سنوات على الأقل في درجة قاضي (أ)، أو اشتغل بأعمال قضائية نظيرة لمدة إحدى عشرة سنة على الأقل، أو قام بتدر
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.