Article 16 of the Saudi Municipal Penalties Regulations
المادة 16 من لائحة الجزاءات عن المخالفات البلدية
Article 16 allows the Minister or his delegate to grant a person who helps uncover a violation a reward not exceeding 25% of the fine collected, and to grant outstanding inspectors rewards to improve performance.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- للوزير -أو من يفوضه- منح من يساعد في الكشف عن مخالفة مكافأة مالية تشجيعية لا تزيد على (25 %) من مبلغ الغرامة المحصلة؛ بشرط ألا يكون من الموظفين أو العاملين في الأمانة أو البلدية أو من المستعان بهم في شأن ضبط المخالفات أو أداء مهمات الرقابة أو التفتيش، ويضع الوزير بالاتفاق مع وزير المالية شروطًا وضوابط لهذا الغرض.
2- للوزير -أو من يفوضه- منح من يتولى ضبط المخالفات أو أداء مهمات الرقابة أو التفتيش من المتميزين مكافآت لغرض تحسين الأداء، ويضع الوزير بالاتفاق مع وزير المالية شروطاً وضوابط لهذا الغرض.
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 16 explained in plain English
Article 16 provides for two kinds of rewards, both by decision of the Minister or his delegate:
1) Rewards for informants:
- They are granted to anyone who helps uncover a violation.
- The amount is no more than 25% of the fine collected, so what counts is what was actually collected.
- Its condition: the informant must not be among the employees or workers of the Amanah or the municipality, or among those engaged to help in detecting violations or performing supervision or inspection tasks.
2) Rewards for outstanding inspectors:
- They are granted to those who carry out detection of violations or supervision or inspection tasks and are outstanding.
- Their purpose is to improve performance.
In both cases the Minister sets conditions and controls for this purpose in agreement with the Minister of Finance. The reward is discretionary; the wording "the Minister may" shows that it is not an automatic right.
The Article follows Article 15, which authorizes the Minister to issue the implementing decisions for the Regulations within the limits of their provisions, and is followed by Article 17, which provides that these Regulations replace the previous Regulations of Fines and Penalties issued by Council of Ministers Resolution No. 218 dated 6/8/1422 AH.
Anyone who reported a violation and wishes to know the conditions for entitlement to the reward may consult a specialized lawyer in administrative matters (the Board of Grievances).
Practical example
A citizen reported to the municipality a warehouse storing food in a violating manner, and after the violation was detected a fine of SAR 100,000 was collected. The Minister or his delegate may grant the informant a reward of no more than SAR 25,000, under the established conditions and controls, provided he is not a municipal employee or among those engaged to help with supervision.
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 16 of the Saudi Municipal Penalties Regulations
Is there a reward for reporting a municipal violation?
The Minister or his delegate may grant a person who helps uncover a violation a reward not exceeding 25% of the fine collected.
Does a municipal employee receive the reporting reward?
No. The informant must not be an employee or worker of the Amanah or the municipality or someone engaged to help with detection, supervision, or inspection, but outstanding ones among them may receive separate rewards to improve performance.
More articles on Detecting Violations and Issuing Penalty Decisions
- Article 4
Article 4 provides that municipal violations are detected and recorded in reports under the implementing decisions, by employees and workers of the Amanah or municipality, related bodies, or others named by the Minister.
1- تُضبط المخالفات وتُثبت في محاضر وفق الإجراءات التي تحددها القرارات التنفيذية الصادرة بموجب اللائحة. 2- يتولى الموظفون أو العمال في الأمانة أو البلدية أو الجه
- Article 5
Article 5 divides the power to issue penalty decisions: the Minister or his delegate in principle, and a committee of at least three members for fines above SAR 25,000, or SAR 50,000 for a serious violation.
1- فيما عدا القرارات المتعلقة بجزاء الغرامة المنصوص عليه في الفقرة (1) من المادة (الثانية) من اللائحة عندما تتجاوز (خمسة وعشرين) ألف ريال، أو عندما تتجاوز (خمسي
- Article 14
Article 14 allows the Amanah or municipality to assign the tasks of supervision and inspection for violations to the private sector, in accordance with the relevant legal procedures.
يجوز للأمانة أو البلدية إسناد مهمات الرقابة والتفتيش عن المخالفات إلى القطاع الخاص، وفقا ًللإجراءات النظامية ذات الصلة.
- Article 15
Article 15 authorizes the Minister to issue the implementing decisions necessary for the Municipal Violations Penalties Regulations, within the limits of what their provisions require.
يصدر الوزير القرارات التنفيذية اللازمة للائحة في حدود ما تقضي به من أحكام.
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.