Article 56 of the Saudi Law of the Judiciary
المادة 56 من نظام القضاء
The article sets four grades for rating a judge's efficiency: distinguished, above average, average and below average.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون تقدير كفاية القاضي بإحدى الدرجات الآتية:
متميز - فوق المتوسط - متوسط - أقل من 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 56 explained in plain English
This article sets out the scale for rating a judge's efficiency, that is, the grades by which his performance is assessed, which are four:
- Distinguished.
- Above average.
- Average.
- Below average.
From the order of the text, these grades are understood to be arranged in descending order from highest to lowest, and under them a judge may not be given a rating outside these grades.
This article is connected to the work of the judicial inspection department regulated by Article 55. The department inspects the work of the judges of the appeal courts and the first-instance courts to gather the data that lead to knowing their efficiency and how keen they are to perform the duties of their post, and members of the judicial corps must be inspected at least once and at most twice a year.
Article 57 regulates the judge's right to object: the inspection department notifies the judge of the report and his efficiency rating and of everything filed in his file, and he may object within thirty days from the date of his notification unless there is an acceptable excuse. The department then refers the objection to the Supreme Judicial Council with a memorandum of opinion within fifteen days, and the Council's decision on it is final.
Article 56 itself does not set out the criteria for giving each grade or the effects that follow from it.
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 56 of the Saudi Law of the Judiciary
What are the grades for rating a judge's efficiency?
Distinguished, above average, average, below average.
Can a judge object to his efficiency rating?
Yes. Article 57 allows the judge to object to the inspection department within thirty days from the date of his notification, unless there is an acceptable excuse.
More articles on Judicial Inspection
- 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 55
The article creates in the Supreme Judicial Council a judicial inspection department that inspects judges' work and investigates complaints referred to it, at least once and at most twice a year.
1- تؤلف في المجلس الأعلى للقضاء إدارة للتفتيش القضائي من رئيس ومساعد وعدد كاف من القضاة المتفرغين يختارهم المجلس من بين قضاة محاكم الاستئناف ومحاكم الدرجة الأول
- Article 57
The article requires notifying the judge of his efficiency report and what is filed in his file, lets him object within thirty days, and has the Supreme Judicial Council decide with a final decision.
1- تبلغ إدارة التفتيش القضائي القاضي بالتقرير وتقدير كفايته، كما تبلغه بكل ما يودع في ملفه. وله أن يقدم لإدارة التفتيش اعتراضه على ذلك خلال (ثلاثين) يومًا من تا
- Article 58
The article gives the president of each court the right to supervise its judges and to warn them of their violations after hearing their statements, and lets a judge object to a written warning within fifteen days.
مع عدم الإخلال بما للقضاء من حياد واستقلال، وبما للمجلس الأعلى للقضاء من حق الإشراف على المحاكم والقضاة وأعمالهم، يكون لرئيس كل محكمة حق الإشراف على قضاتها وحق
- Article 60
The article regulates filing the disciplinary case against a judge by the head of the judicial inspection department at the request of the president of the Supreme Judicial Council, after a criminal or administrative investigation, and the contents of the statement of claim.
يرفع رئيس إدارة التفتيش القضائي أو من ينيبه الدعوة التأديبية ـ أمام دائرة التأديب ـ بطلب من رئيس المجلس الأعلى للقضاء إما من تلقاء نفسه أو بناء على اقتراح رئيس
- Article 79
The article subjects notaries to judicial inspection in accordance with the provisions of the Law of the Judiciary.
يخضع كتاب العدل للتفتيش القضائي، وفقا لأحكام 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.