Article 50 of the Saudi Law of the Judiciary
المادة 50 من نظام القضاء
The article gives the president of the Supreme Judicial Council, by his decision, the power to grant judges leave within the limits of the provisions governing it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يرخص رئيس المجلس الأعلى للقضاء - بقرار منه - للقضاة بالإجازات في حدود الأحكام المنظمة لذلك.
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 50 explained in plain English
This article sets out the body competent to grant leave to judges, which is the president of the Supreme Judicial Council, and this is done by his decision.
The article restricts this power by requiring it to be within the limits of the provisions governing leave, meaning that the president of the Council does not grant leave at his absolute discretion, but under the legal rules that govern leave. The article itself does not mention the types, periods or conditions of leave, but refers to those provisions without naming them.
The reason for placing the granting of leave in the hands of the president of the Supreme Judicial Council is that a judge's absence affects the course of work in the courts, so it is appropriate for the permission to come from the body that supervises judges' affairs.
The article is connected to Article 49, which provides that judges are transferred and seconded within the corps by decision of the Supreme Judicial Council, and outside it by royal order on a decision of the Council, and which allows the president of the Council in exceptional cases to second for a period not exceeding three months in the year. It is also connected to Article 51, which prohibits combining the post of judge with engaging in trade or any work not consistent with the independence and dignity of the judiciary. Together these articles regulate aspects of a judge's employment status.
Practical example
A judge at a court in Medina wishes to take leave. Under Article 50, permission for the leave is by decision of the president of the Supreme Judicial Council, within the limits of the provisions governing leave.
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 50 of the Saudi Law of the Judiciary
Who grants a judge leave?
The president of the Supreme Judicial Council, by his decision.
Does Article 50 set the periods of judges' leave?
No. It provides that permission is within the limits of the provisions governing it, without stating the types or periods of leave.
More articles on Rights and Duties of Judges
- Article 3
The article prevents transferring judges to other posts except with their consent or because of their promotion and in accordance with the Law, without prejudice to Article 49.
مع عدم الإخلال بحكم المادة التاسعة والأربعين من هذا النظام، لا ينقل القضاة إلى وظائف أخرى إلا برضاهم أو بسبب ترقيتهم ووفق أحكام هذا النظام.
- Article 45
The article provides that members of the judicial corps enjoy the rights and guarantees in the Civil Service Law and the Retirement Law and observe the civil service duties that do not conflict with judicial work, without prejudice to the Law of the Judiciary.
مع عدم الإخلال بما يقتضيه هذا النظام من أحكام يتمتع أعضاء السلك القضائي بالحقوق والضمانات المقررة في نظام الخدمة المدنية ونظام التقاعد ، ويلتزمون بما نص عليه نظ
- Article 48
The article provides that the salaries of members of the judicial corps in all their grades follow their own salary scale.
تكون رواتب أعضاء السلك القضائي بجميع درجاتهم وفقًا لسلم الرواتب الخاص بهم.
- Article 49
The article limits transferring and seconding judges within the corps to a decision of the Supreme Judicial Council, and outside it to a royal order, with secondment and loan lasting one year, renewable for another.
لا يجوز نقل أعضاء السلك القضائي أو ندبهم داخل السلك القضائي إلا بقرار من المجلس الأعلى للقضاء . كما لا يجوز نقل أعضاء السلك القضائي أو ندبهم أو إعارتهم خارج الس
- Article 51
The article prohibits combining judicial office with engaging in trade or any post or work inconsistent with judicial independence and dignity, and allows the Supreme Judicial Council to bar a judge from any work that conflicts with his duties.
لا يجوز الجمع بين وظيفة القضاء ومزاولة التجارة، أو أي وظيفة أو عمل لا يتفق مع استقلال القضاء وكرامته. ويجوز للمجلس الأعلى للقضاء أن يقرر منع القاضي من مباشرة أي
- Article 52
The article prohibits judges from disclosing the secrecy of deliberations.
لا يجوز للقضاة إفشاء سر المداولات.
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.