Article 10 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
المادة 10 من نظام محاكمة الوزراء
The article requires the Prime Minister, when serious evidence arises, to form an investigation committee of two ministers and a Sharia member, which reports to him within thirty days of being assigned.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يقوم رئيس مجلس الوزراء بمجرد قيام دلائل جدية على اقتراف الوزير أو من في مرتبته إحدى الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، بتأليف لجنة تحقيق من وزيرين أو من في مرتبتهما وعضو شرعي برتبة رئيس محكمة كبرى على الأقل. تتولى هذه الهيئة دراسة الموضوع والتحقيق فيه، وترفع تقريرا بنتيجة ذلك إلى رئيس مجلس الوزراء خلال ثلاثين يوما من تاريخ تكليفها ببحث الموضوع.
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 10 explained in plain English
This article describes the start of proceedings against a minister or someone of equivalent rank:
- When do they begin? As soon as serious evidence arises that he committed one of the crimes provided for in the Law.
- Who begins them? The Prime Minister, by forming an investigation committee.
- Composition of the committee: two ministers or persons of equivalent rank, and a Sharia member of at least the rank of president of a major court.
- Its task: to study the matter and investigate it.
- The period: it submits a report of the result to the Prime Minister within thirty days from the date it is assigned.
Article 11 then shows the next step: the Prime Minister sets a session of the Council to discuss the report within fifteen days of its submission, the discussion being held in the accused's absence, and if the Council decides on indictment it forms the trial panel.
Under Article 9, these procedures must be followed, and any breach of them makes the judgment void.
This is a general explanation of the text and not an opinion on a particular case; anyone who needs an assessment of a specific situation should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal and administrative matters.
Practical example
Documented information reaches the Prime Minister seriously indicating that one of the ministers abused his influence. Under Article 10, he forms a committee of two ministers and a Sharia member of at least the rank of president of a major court, which investigates the matter and submits its report within thirty days of the date it was assigned.
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 10 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
Who investigates a minister in Saudi Arabia?
An investigation committee formed by the Prime Minister from two ministers or persons of equivalent rank and a Sharia member of at least the rank of president of a major court.
How long does the committee investigating a minister have?
It submits its report to the Prime Minister within thirty days from the date it is assigned.
When does an investigation of a minister begin?
As soon as serious evidence arises that he committed one of the crimes provided for in the Law.
More articles on Investigating and Charging a Minister
- Article 11
The article requires the investigation committee's report to be put before the Council of Ministers within fifteen days and discussed in the accused's absence; if the Council decides on indictment, it forms the trial panel under Article 15.
يحدد رئيس مجلس الوزراء جلسة لمجلس الوزراء لمناقشة تقرير اللجنة خلال خمسة عشر يوما من تاريخ رفع التقرير إليه، وتكون المناقشة في غيبة المتهم. يتخذ مجلس الوزراء قر
- Article 12
The article requires the Prime Minister, on indictment, to order the accused to be notified with a copy of the decision referring him to trial, with notification made in accordance with Article 20.
في حالة الاتهام يأمر رئيس مجلس الوزراء بإبلاغ المتهم بصورة من قرار الإحالة إلى المحاكمة، ويجري تبليغ المتهم وفقا لما هو وارد في المادة (20) من هذا النظام.
- Article 13
The article allows the Council of Ministers, when referring the accused to trial, to order his detention until the first session, after which the trial panel may renew the detention if necessary.
لمجلس الوزراء عند إقراره إحالة المتهم إلى المحاكمة، أن يقرر حبسه احتياطيا لحين انعقاد أول جلسة من جلسات هيئة المحاكمة، ولهيئة المحاكمة بعد ذلك أن تجدد حبس المته
- Article 14
The article requires the accused to be suspended from work and his salaries stopped until his matter is decided, and provides that ending a minister's service does not prevent bringing or continuing the case.
يصدر رئيس مجلس الوزراء قرارا بكف يد المتهم عن العمل إلى أن يفصل في أمره، ويوقف صرف رواتبه منذ صدور القرار بكف اليد. ولا يحيل إنهاء خدمة الوزير دون إقامة الدعوى
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.