Article 25 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
المادة 25 من نظام محاكمة الوزراء
The article makes the trial panel's decisions final and enforceable from issuance and not open to objection, except as provided in Articles 8, 26 and 27.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
باستثناء ما ورد في المواد: (8، 26 ،27) من هذا النظام، تكون قرارات هيئة المحاكمة نهائية من حين صدورها، ولا يجوز الاعتراض عليها وتكون نافذة.
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 25 explained in plain English
This article sets out the force of the trial panel's decisions:
- They are final from the moment they are issued.
- They may not be objected to.
- They are enforceable.
But the text expressly excepts what is provided in Articles 8, 26 and 27. Among these is Article 26, which allows the convicted person to petition His Majesty the King for nullity of the judgment on the basis of specific articles of the Law; His Majesty may accept or reject the challenge, and if the challenge of nullity is accepted, a retrial is required. As for Articles 8 and 27, only their numbers are mentioned here, as they appear in the exception.
The practical meaning is that the usual route of objecting to judgments is not available here, and the judgment is carried out as soon as it is issued, except in the cases regulated by the excepted articles.
This article follows Article 24, which makes the panel competent over related offenses and over the trial of principal perpetrators and accomplices.
This is a general explanation of the text, not an opinion on any particular case. Anyone who needs an assessment of a specific situation should consult a lawyer specializing in criminal and administrative cases.
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 25 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
Can the ministers trial panel's judgment be objected to?
As a rule its decisions are final from the moment they are issued and may not be objected to, except as provided in Articles 8, 26 and 27.
Can a ministers trial panel judgment be petitioned against?
Article 26 allows the convicted person to petition His Majesty the King for nullity of the judgment on the basis of specific articles, and if the challenge is accepted a retrial is required.
When is the trial panel's judgment enforced?
It is enforceable from the moment it is issued, subject to the exceptions in the article.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 8
The article requires a death sentence to be unanimous for it to be carried out; if it is issued by majority, the case is referred to the judiciary to decide it.
لا تنفذ عقوبة القتل إلا إذا كان الحكم صادرًا بالإجماع. أما إذا صدر الحكم المذكور بالأغلبية فتحال القضية إلى القضاء للبت فيها.
- Article 26
The article allows the convicted person to petition His Majesty the King for nullity of the judgment on the basis of Articles 9, 19, 20 and 22, and a retrial is required if the King accepts the challenge.
للمحكوم عليه أن يتظلم إلى جلالة الملك استنادا إلى المواد: (9، 19، 20، 22) من هذا النظام، ببطلان الحكم الصادر. ولجلالة الملك قبول الطعن أو رده، فإذا قبل الطعن با
- Article 27
The article gives His Majesty the King, in all cases, the right to issue a special pardon for those sentenced under the Law, or to reduce their penalty to the extent the pardon order states.
لجلالة الملك في جميع الأحوال إصدار الأمر بالعفو الخاص عن المحكومين وفقا لهذا النظام، أو تخفيف العقوبة عنهم إلى الحد الذي يقرره أمر العفو.
More articles on Judgments in Absentia, Appeal and Pardon
- Article 20
The article requires sessions to be held in the presence of the accused, postpones them by up to seven days if he is absent with notice to him, then allows trial in absentia, and gives him the right to a representative with legal experience.
تعقد هيئة المحاكمة جلساتها بحضور المتهم، فإذا تغيب المتهم عن الحضور تؤجل الجلسة إلى موعد آخر لا يتجاوز سبعة أيام من تاريخ التأجيل. وعلى المدعي العام إعلان المته
- Article 23
The article provides for a retrial of a person convicted in absentia within thirty days of his appearance or arrest, and treats the judgment as one given in his presence if he flees or refuses to attend.
في حالة صدور حكم غيابي بالإدانة، تعاد المحاكمة عند حضور المحكوم عليه أو ضبطه، وتعاد المحاكمة خلال ثلاثين يوما من تاريخ الحضور أو الضبط، فإذا فر المحكوم عليه أو
- Article 26
The article allows the convicted person to petition His Majesty the King for nullity of the judgment on the basis of Articles 9, 19, 20 and 22, and a retrial is required if the King accepts the challenge.
للمحكوم عليه أن يتظلم إلى جلالة الملك استنادا إلى المواد: (9، 19، 20، 22) من هذا النظام، ببطلان الحكم الصادر. ولجلالة الملك قبول الطعن أو رده، فإذا قبل الطعن با
- Article 27
The article gives His Majesty the King, in all cases, the right to issue a special pardon for those sentenced under the Law, or to reduce their penalty to the extent the pardon order states.
لجلالة الملك في جميع الأحوال إصدار الأمر بالعفو الخاص عن المحكومين وفقا لهذا النظام، أو تخفيف العقوبة عنهم إلى الحد الذي يقرره أمر العفو.
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.