Article 1 of the Saudi Public Prosecution Law
المادة 1 من نظام النيابة العامة
The article states that the Public Prosecution is part of the judicial authority, fully independent and organizationally linked to the King, with its main seat in Riyadh and branches inside and outside it.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
النيابة العامة جزء من السلطة القضائية، وتتمتع بالاستقلال التام، وترتبط تنظيمياً بالملك، وليس لأحد التدخل في أعمالها.
ويكون مقرها الرئيس في مدينة الرياض، وتنشئ الفروع اللازمة لها داخل مدينة المقر الرئيس أو خارجها
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 1 explained in plain English
This article sets out the foundation on which the Public Prosecution rests in the Kingdom, and contains several provisions:
- Part of the judicial authority: the Public Prosecution is not an ordinary administrative body but part of the judicial authority.
- Full independence: the Public Prosecution enjoys full independence, and no one may interfere in its work.
- Organizational link to the King: the Public Prosecution is linked organizationally directly to the King.
- Seat and branches: its main seat is in the city of Riyadh, and it establishes the branches it needs inside or outside the city of the main seat.
The importance of this article for people is that it shows that the body responsible for investigation and prosecution in criminal cases is independent, and no party has the right to interfere in its work.
Amendments: the current text is the version issued by Royal Decree No. (M/125) dated 14/9/1441 AH. The article had earlier been amended by Royal Decree No. (M/4) dated 5/1/1433 AH in a phrase relating to the budget, and what counts now is the text in force shown above.
The next article, Article 2, sets out the composition of the Public Prosecution: the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General and a sufficient number of members.
Practical example
Mohammed lives in Abha and has a criminal case before the Public Prosecution. The main seat of the Public Prosecution is in Riyadh, but the article allows it to establish the branches it needs outside the city of the seat, so his case may be followed at one of its branches if one exists in his region. The Public Prosecution acts in his case with full independence and without interference from anyone.
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 1 of the Saudi Public Prosecution Law
Is the Public Prosecution part of the judiciary in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The article states that the Public Prosecution is part of the judicial authority and enjoys full independence.
Who is the Public Prosecution linked to?
The Public Prosecution is linked organizationally to the King.
Where is the seat of the Public Prosecution?
Its main seat is in the city of Riyadh, and it establishes the branches it needs inside or outside the city of the main seat.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/4 — 5/1/1433 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
تم تعديل هذه المادة بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/ 4) وتاريخ 5 / 1 / 1433 هـ ، كما يلي :
تعديل عبارة " ويكون لها ميزانية ضمن ميزانية الوزارة " الواردة في هذه المادة ،
لتصبح " وتكون لها ميزانيتها الخاصة بها " .
على أن يكون العمل بهذا التعديل وفق ألية يتفق عليها صاحب السمو الملكي ولي العهد نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الداخلية المشرف على هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام ومعالي وزير المالية.
Royal Decree No. M/125 — 14/9/1441 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/125) وتاريخ 1441/9/14هـ، لتصبح بالنص الآتي: "النيابة العامة جزء من السلطة القضائية، وتتمتع بالاستقلال التام، وترتبط تنظيمياً بالملك، وليس لأحد التدخل في أعمالها.
ويكون مقرها الرئيس في مدينة الرياض، وتنشئ الفروع اللازمة لها داخل مدينة المقر الرئيس أو خارجها".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
تنشأ بموجب هذا النظام هيئة تسمى ( هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام ) ترتبط بوزير الداخلية ويكون لها ميزانية ضمن ميزانية الوزارة .
وتكون مدينة الرياض مقرها الرئيسي، وتنشأ الفروع اللازمة لها داخل المقر الرئيسي أو خارجه.
More articles on Independence and Formation of the Public Prosecution
- Article 2Amended (1441 AH)
The article states that the Public Prosecution is composed of the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General and a sufficient number of members.
تشكل النيابة العامة من: النائب العام، ووكيل النيابة العامة، وعدد كافٍ من الأعضاء
- Article 27Amended (1441 AH)
The article provides that the Attorney General has administrative and financial supervision over the Public Prosecution, with the minister's powers over its employees and staff, and is its point of reference to ministries and other bodies.
دون إخلال بالأحكام المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، يتولى النائب العام الإشراف الإداري والمالي على النيابة العامة، وله صلاحيات الوزير بالنسبة إلى موظفي النيابة ومست
- Article 29
The article provides that the Public Prosecution Law repeals any provisions that conflict with it.
يلغي هذا النظام ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
- Article 30
The article provides that the Public Prosecution Law is published in the Official Gazette and takes effect from the date of its publication.
ينشر هذا النظام في الجريدة الرسمية، ويعمل به من تاريخ نشره .
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.