Article 2 of the Saudi Public Prosecution Law
المادة 2 من نظام النيابة العامة
The article states that the Public Prosecution is composed of the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General and a sufficient number of members.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
تشكل النيابة العامة من: النائب العام، ووكيل النيابة العامة، وعدد كافٍ من الأعضاء
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 2 explained in plain English
This article sets out the components of the Public Prosecution, which are:
- The Attorney General.
- The Deputy Attorney General.
- A sufficient number of members.
The article does not fix a specific number of members and only describes it as "sufficient", that is, as many as the work requires.
Amendments: the current text was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/125) dated 14/9/1441 AH. After its amendment by Royal Decree No. (M/31) dated 13/4/1436 AH, the article provided that the "Authority" is composed of a chairman, one or more deputy chairmen, and a sufficient number of members. The latest amendment replaced these titles with the Public Prosecution, the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General, and made the deputy a single post instead of "one or more deputy chairmen".
This article is connected to what precedes it: Article 1 states that the Public Prosecution is part of the judicial authority, enjoys full independence and is linked organizationally to the King. Article 3 sets out the body's powers, including investigating crimes, disposing of the investigation by bringing the case or closing it, prosecuting before the judicial bodies, supervising the execution of criminal judgments, and overseeing prisons and detention facilities.
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 2 of the Saudi Public Prosecution Law
Who makes up the Public Prosecution?
It is composed of the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General and a sufficient number of members.
Does the Law fix the number of Public Prosecution members?
No. The article provides for a sufficient number of members without fixing a specific figure.
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) بتاريخ 13 / 4 / 1436 هـ ، لتكون بالصيغة الآتية :
" المادة الثانية:
تشكل الهيئة من رئيس، ونائب رئيس – أو أكثر – ومن عدد كافٍ من الأعضاء".
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: "تشكل النيابة العامة من: النائب العام، ووكيل النيابة العامة، وعدد كافٍ من الأعضاء".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
تشكل الهيئة من رئيس ونائب أو أكثر، ومن عدد كاف من رؤساء الدوائر ووكلائهم ومن المحققين ومساعديهم.
More articles on Independence and Formation of the Public Prosecution
- Article 1Amended (1441 AH)
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.
النيابة العامة جزء من السلطة القضائية، وتتمتع بالاستقلال التام، وترتبط تنظيمياً بالملك، وليس لأحد التدخل في أعمالها. ويكون مقرها الرئيس في مدينة الرياض، وتنشئ ا
- 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.