Article 37 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 37 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article establishes one or more primary committees to consider violations of the Law and apply penalties, on a complaint from a person with standing and a direct interest or on referral by the Minister.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
1 - تشكل لجنة ابتدائية - أو أكثر - برئاسة من تتوافر فيه خبرة في الأعمال القضائية، وعضوية مستشار نظامي وأحد المختصين في الإعلام، للنظر في مخالفات أحكام هذا النظام وتطبيق العقوبات الواردة فيه.
2 - لا تنظر اللجنة إلا في الشكاوي التي يرفعها أي شخص ممن له صفة ومصلحة مباشرة، أو ما يحال إليها من الوزير.
3 - تصدر قرارات اللجنة الابتدائية بالإجماع أو بالأغلبية بعد دعوة المخالف أو من يمثله، وسماع أقواله، ويجوز لها دعوة من ترى الاستماع إلى أقواله.
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 37 explained in plain English
This article regulates the body that considers violations of the Law, which is the primary committee.
Formation of the committee: one or more primary committees are formed, chaired by a person with experience in judicial work, with a legal adviser and a media specialist as members.
Its jurisdiction: considering violations of the provisions of this Law and applying the penalties set out in it.
How cases reach it: the committee considers only:
- Complaints filed by any person who has standing and a direct interest.
- Or what the Minister refers to it.
It is therefore not enough for the complainant to object to a publication in general; he must have standing and a direct interest.
Issuing decisions: it issues its decisions unanimously or by majority, after inviting the violator or his representative and hearing his statements, and it may invite anyone whose statements it sees fit to hear.
The article was amended by Royal Decree No. M/20 dated 11/4/1433 AH, and the text shown is the text in force. Before it comes Article 36, which allows the Ministry to withdraw a printed material containing prohibitions without compensation, and after it comes Article 38, which sets the penalties the committee applies, including a fine not exceeding SAR 500,000, doubled on repetition. Anyone who wants to file a complaint, or against whom a complaint is filed, can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.
Practical example
A news website published material harming the reputation of a company in Jeddah. The company, as a party with standing and a direct interest, may file a complaint with the primary committee, which invites the website or its representative and hears its statements before issuing its decision.
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 37 of the Saudi Publications Law
Where do I file a complaint against a newspaper or website that published a violation about me?
The primary committee considers complaints filed by a person with standing and a direct interest, or what the Minister refers to it.
Who are the members of the primary committee for printed materials violations?
A chairman with experience in judicial work, a legal adviser, and a media specialist.
Does the committee issue its decision without hearing the violator?
No. It issues its decisions after inviting the violator or his representative and hearing his statements.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/20 — 11/4/1433 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
تم تعديل هذه المادة بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/20 ) وتاريخ 11 / 4 / 1433 هـ، لتصبح كما يلى :
" 1 - تشكل لجنة ابتدائية - أو أكثر - برئاسة من تتوافر فيه خبرة في الأعمال القضائية، وعضوية مستشار نظامي وأحد المختصين في الإعلام، للنظر في مخالفات أحكام هذا النظام وتطبيق العقوبات الواردة فيه.
2 - لا تنظر اللجنة إلا في الشكاوي التي يرفعها أي شخص ممن له صفة ومصلحة مباشرة، أو ما يحال إليها من الوزير.
3 - تصدر قرارات اللجنة الابتدائية بالإجماع أو بالأغلبية بعد دعوة المخالف أو من يمثله، وسماع أقواله، ويجوز لها دعوة من ترى الاستماع إلى أقواله."
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
تنظر في المخالفات لأحكام هذا النظام لجنة تشكل بقرار من الوزير برئاسة وكيل الوزارة المختص لا يقل عدد أعضائها عن ثلاثة يكون أحدهم مستشارًا قانونيًّا وتصدر قراراتها بالأغلبية، بعد دعوة المخالف أو من يمثله، وسماع أقواله، ويجوز لها دعوة من ترى الاستماع إلى أقواله، كما يجوز لها الاستعانة بمن تراه، ولا تصبح قرارات اللجنة معتمدة، إلا بعد موافقة الوزير عليها.
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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.