Article 12 of the Saudi Public Prosecution Law
المادة 12 من نظام النيابة العامة
The article lists the grounds on which a member's service ends, including reaching age 65 with extension of up to 5 years, death, resignation, retirement, health incapacity, poor performance and disciplinary reasons.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
تنتهي خدمة عضو الهيئة بأحد الأسباب الآتية :
أ - بلوغه سن الخامسة والستين، ولمجلس الهيئة تمديد خدمة العضو عند بلوغه هذه السن لمدة سنة واحدة قابلة للتجديد لمدد أخرى مماثلة على ألا تتجاوز في مجموعها خمس سنوات.
ب - وفاته.
ج - قبول استقالته.
د - قبول طلبه الإحالة على التقاعد طبقاً لنظام التقاعد المدني.
هـ - عدم صلاحيته أثناء فترة التجربة.
و - عجزه عن مباشرة عمله بعد انقضاء الإجازة المرضية، أو أن يظهر في أي وقت أنه لا يستطيع لمرضه القيام بوظيفته على الوجه اللائق.
ز - حصوله على تقدير أقل من المتوسط في تقرير الكفاية ثلاث مرات متتالية.
ح - إنهاء خدمته لأسباب تأديبية
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 12 explained in plain English
This article sets out the grounds on which a member's service ends, which are:
- Reaching age 65: the Authority's Council may extend the member's service when he reaches this age for one year, renewable for similar periods, provided that they do not exceed 5 years in total.
- Death.
- Acceptance of resignation.
- Acceptance of a request for retirement under the Civil Retirement Law.
- Unsuitability during the probation period.
- Health incapacity: if he is unable to carry out his work after the sick leave has ended, or it appears at any time that he cannot, because of his illness, perform his post properly.
- Poor performance: obtaining a below-average rating in the efficiency report 3 consecutive times.
- Termination of service for disciplinary reasons.
The article uses the words "the Authority" and "members of the Authority" as in its wording; those meant in this Law are the members of the Public Prosecution.
Note that resignation and retirement do not end service merely by being submitted, but after they are accepted. Note also that poor ratings must be consecutive to be a ground for ending service.
Amendments: the current text is the wording in Royal Decree No. (M/31) dated 13/4/1436 AH.
Article 13 sets out the means of ending service: in cases other than death, reaching the legal age and failing to prove suitability during probation, a member's service ends by royal order based on a decision of the Public Prosecution Council.
On matters relating to the termination of a member's service, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases.
Practical example
A member of the Public Prosecution reaches 65, and the Authority's Council sees a need for him, so it extends his service for one year and then renews it repeatedly. The extension periods may not exceed 5 years in total.
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 12 of the Saudi Public Prosecution Law
What is the retirement age of a member of the Public Prosecution?
His service ends on reaching age 65, and the Authority's Council may extend it for a renewable year, provided that the periods together do not exceed five years.
Can a member's service be ended for poor performance?
Yes, if he obtains a below-average rating in the efficiency report three consecutive times.
Does service end as soon as a resignation is submitted?
The article provides that service ends on acceptance of the resignation, not merely on submitting it.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/31 — 13/4/1436 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
تم تعديل هذه المادة بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم ( م/31) وتاريخ 13 / 4 / 1436 هـ ، لتكون بالصيغة الآتية :
"المادة الثانية عشرة:
تنتهي خدمة عضو الهيئة بأحد الأسباب الآتية :
أ - بلوغه سن الخامسة والستين، ولمجلس الهيئة تمديد خدمة العضو عند بلوغه هذه السن لمدة سنة واحدة قابلة للتجديد لمدد أخرى مماثلة على ألا تتجاوز في مجموعها خمس سنوات.
ب - وفاته.
ج - قبول استقالته.
د - قبول طلبه الإحالة على التقاعد طبقاً لنظام التقاعد المدني.
هـ - عدم صلاحيته أثناء فترة التجربة.
و - عجزه عن مباشرة عمله بعد انقضاء الإجازة المرضية، أو أن يظهر في أي وقت أنه لا يستطيع لمرضه القيام بوظيفته على الوجه اللائق.
ز - حصوله على تقدير أقل من المتوسط في تقرير الكفاية ثلاث مرات متتالية.
ح - إنهاء خدمته لأسباب تأديبية".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
تنتهي خدمة عضو الهيئة، بأحد الأسباب الآتية :
أ - قبول الاستقالة.
ب - بلوغ سن الخامسة والستين.
ج - قبول طلب الإحالة على التقاعد، طبقا لنظام التقاعد.
د - الإحالة على التقاعد، طبقا للمادة الخامسة والعشرين من هذا النظام.
هـ - الحصول على تقدير أقل من المتوسط في تقرير الكفاية ثلاث مرات متوالية.
و - فقد الثقة والاعتبار، اللذين تتطلبهما الوظيفة.
ز- العجز الصحي.
ح- عدم ثبوت صلاحية العضو خلال فترة التجربة.
ط - الوفاة.
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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.