Article 27 of the Saudi Public Prosecution Law
المادة 27 من نظام النيابة العامة
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.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
دون إخلال بالأحكام المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، يتولى النائب العام الإشراف الإداري والمالي على النيابة العامة، وله صلاحيات الوزير بالنسبة إلى موظفي النيابة ومستخدميها، وهو المرجع فيما يصدر من النيابة في هذا الشأن إلى جميع الوزارات والجهات الأخرى
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 27 explained in plain English
This article defines the Attorney General's role in managing the Public Prosecution, without prejudice to the provisions of the Law:
- Supervision: the Attorney General has administrative and financial supervision over the Public Prosecution.
- The minister's powers: he has the powers of the minister over the employees and staff of the Public Prosecution.
- External point of reference: he is the point of reference for what the Public Prosecution sends on this matter to all ministries and other bodies.
The phrase "without prejudice to the provisions of this Law" means these powers are exercised within the limits of the Law, so what the Law assigns to another body, such as matters issued by royal order or by decision of the Public Prosecution Council, remains with that body.
An example is what Article 26 provides, that the Disciplinary Council's decisions are referred to the Public Prosecution Council for consideration, and that the penalty of termination of service is executed by royal order, while the penalty of reprimand is executed by decision of the Attorney General.
Amendments: the current text was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/125) dated 14/9/1441 AH.
The article does not detail the forms or limits of this supervision, but states it in general terms, subject to the provisions of the Law.
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 27 of the Saudi Public Prosecution Law
Who has administrative and financial supervision over the Public Prosecution?
The Attorney General, without prejudice to the provisions of the Law.
Does the Attorney General have the powers of a minister?
Yes. He has the powers of the minister over the employees and staff of the Public Prosecution.
Amendment history
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: "دون إخلال بالأحكام المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، يتولى النائب العام الإشراف الإداري والمالي على النيابة العامة، وله صلاحيات الوزير بالنسبة إلى موظفي النيابة ومستخدميها، وهو المرجع فيما يصدر من النيابة في هذا الشأن إلى جميع الوزارات والجهات الأخرى".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
مع عدم الإخلال بالأحكام المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام ولوائحه، يتولى وزير الداخلية الإشراف على الهيئة، ويتخذ الإجراءات والتدابير، أو يتقدم إلى الجهات المختصة بما يراه من المقترحات أو المشروعات التي من شأنها ضمان المستوى اللائق بالتحقيق والادعاء. كما يتولى رئيس الهيئة الإشراف على جميع إدارات الهيئة ودوائر التحقيق والادعاء فيها، وجميع المحققين والعاملين بها.
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 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 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.