Article 26 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
المادة 26 من نظام محاكمة الوزراء
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 بالبطلان وجبت إعادة المحاكمة.
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 26 explained in plain English
This article opens a special route of challenge to the trial panel's judgment:
- Who holds the right: the convicted person.
- The authority: he petitions His Majesty the King.
- Subject of the petition: nullity of the judgment issued.
- Its basis: the petition must rely on Articles 9, 19, 20 and 22 of the Law, so it is not open for just any reason.
- Result: His Majesty may accept or reject the challenge, and if the challenge of nullity is accepted, a retrial is required.
This article is linked to Article 25, which makes the trial panel's decisions final and not open to objection but excepts what is provided in Articles 8, 26 and 27; this petition is one of those exceptions.
The petition differs from the pardon regulated by Article 27: the petition challenges the validity of the judgment and, if accepted, leads to a retrial, whereas the pardon allows His Majesty in all cases to grant a special pardon to those sentenced or to reduce their penalty to the extent stated in the pardon order.
The text does not set a time limit for submitting the petition. Anyone who needs an assessment of grounds of nullity in a particular case 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 26 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
Can a convicted minister petition against the judgment?
Yes. He may petition His Majesty the King for nullity of the judgment on the basis of Articles 9, 19, 20 and 22 of the Law.
What happens if the King accepts the challenge of nullity?
A retrial is required.
What is the difference between a petition and a pardon under the Ministers Trial Law?
A petition is a challenge of nullity of the judgment which, if accepted, leads to a retrial, whereas the pardon in Article 27 is a special pardon or reduction of the penalty by order of His Majesty the King.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 9
The article requires the procedures set out in the Law to be followed at all stages of investigation and trial, and makes any breach of them a ground for invalidating the judgment.
الإجراءات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام واجبة الاتباع في جميع أدوار التحقيق والمحاكمة، وأي إخلال بها يجعل الحكم باطلا.
- Article 19
The article requires the president of the panel to set the sitting date within thirty days of notifying the accused of the referral decision, and to notify him of the date, place and prosecution witnesses at least eight days ahead.
يعين رئيس هيئة المحاكمة موعد انعقادها للنظر في الموضوع خلال مدة لا تزيد عن ثلاثين يوما من تاريخ إعلان المتهم بصورة من قرار إحالته إلى المحاكمة. وعلى رئيس هيئة ا
- 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 22
The article prohibits punishing the accused for an act not included in his referral decision, or sentencing him to anything other than the penalties and punishments in the Ministers Trial Law.
لا يجوز معاقبة المتهم عن واقعة لم ترد في قرار إحالته إلى المحاكمة ولا الحكم عليه بغير الجزاءات الواردة في هذا النظام، أو بغير العقوبات الواردة فيه.
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 25
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.
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.
- 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.