Article 9 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
المادة 9 من نظام محاكمة الوزراء
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
الإجراءات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام واجبة الاتباع في جميع أدوار التحقيق والمحاكمة، وأي إخلال بها يجعل الحكم باطلا.
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 9 explained in plain English
This article is one of the most important safeguards in the Law, and it sets two rules:
- Duty to follow: the procedures provided in the Law are not merely advisory but must be followed at all stages of investigation and trial, from the start of the investigation to the issuing of the judgment.
- Consequence of violation: any breach of these procedures makes the judgment void.
Among the procedures the Law regulates is what appears in Article 10, under which the Prime Minister, when serious evidence arises, forms an investigation committee of two ministers or persons of equivalent rank and a Sharia member of at least the rank of president of a major court, which submits its report within thirty days. Violating procedures of this kind falls within the scope of Article 9.
This article comes after Article 8, which requires unanimity for carrying out the death penalty, and both reflect the Law's concern for safeguards. Article 9 does not itself state the way in which invalidity is to be invoked.
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.
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 9 of the Saudi Ministers Trial Law
What is the effect of violating the procedures of the Ministers Trial Law?
Any breach of the procedures provided in the Law makes the judgment void.
Do the required procedures include the investigation stage?
Yes. The text requires them to be followed at all stages of investigation and trial.
More articles on The Ministers Trial Body and Its Procedures
- 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 15
The article provides that the ministers' trial panel consists of three ministers chosen by the Council of Ministers by lot and two Sharia members, with no relatives of the accused, presided over by the oldest minister.
تتولى محاكمة الوزراء أو من في مرتبتهم وفقا لهذا النظام، هيئة تشكل من "ثلاثة وزراء" يختارهم مجلس الوزراء بطريق (القرعة) وعضوين شرعيين برتبة رئيس محكمة كبرى، على
- Article 16
The article provides that whoever the Prime Minister selects performs the duty of public prosecution in the trial of ministers.
يقوم بواجب الادعاء العام من يختاره رئيس مجلس الوزراء .
- Article 17
The article provides that the president of the trial panel selects a clerk to keep and record the minutes of the sessions.
يختار رئيس هيئة المحاكمة أمين سر لضبط محاضر الجلسات وتدوينها.
- Article 18
The article allows the trial panel, if it finds a deficiency in the investigation, to complete it itself or through members it delegates.
لهيئة المحاكمة إذا رأت نقصا في التحقيق أن تستكمله بنفسها أو بمن تنتدبه من أعضائها لهذا الغرض.
- 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
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.