Article 46 of the Saudi Notarization Law

This article identifies the body that supervises those who carry out notarization and investigates them: the competent department, meaning the department responsible for notarization affairs at the Ministry of Justice.

Paragraph 1 (the notary): the competent department inspects and supervises the notary and investigates him in work related to notarization, under procedures set by the Regulations.

Paragraph 2 (the licensee): the competent department inspects and supervises the licensee (the licensed notary or marriage officiant) and investigates him, under procedures set by the Regulations. This paragraph does not limit the investigation to work related to notarization, as the first paragraph does.

Paragraph 3 (judicial inspection): the above does not prejudice the jurisdiction of the Judicial Inspection Department of the Supreme Judicial Council to:

• Investigate the notary or the licensee.
• Verify their work recorded in the registers and minutes and the deeds issued on that basis, and whether they comply with Sharia or statutory principles.

This applies where it is connected to a transaction before it. In all cases the result of the investigation, as it relates to their accountability, must be referred to the competent department.

The article is linked to Article 47, which allows the licensee to be suspended from work for no more than 90 days during an investigation by decision of the Minister on the recommendation of the competent department. Anyone facing an investigation or wishing to file a complaint may consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative matters.