Article 5 of the Saudi Public Prosecution Law
المادة 5 من نظام النيابة العامة
The article states that the work of the Public Prosecution's members has a judicial character, that they are fully independent and subject only to Islamic Sharia and the laws in force, and that no one may interfere in their work.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يكون لعمل أعضاء الهيئة الصفة القضائية، ويتمتعون بالاستقلال التام، ولا يخضعون في عملهم إلا لأحكام الشريعة الإسلامية، والأنظمة المرعية، وليس لأحد التدخل في مجال عملهم.
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 5 explained in plain English
This article protects the independence of the prosecution member himself in doing his work, and provides the following:
- Judicial character: the work of the members of the Authority has a judicial character.
- Full independence: the members enjoy full independence in their work.
- Source of authority: in their work they are subject only to the provisions of Islamic Sharia and the laws in force.
- No interference: no one may interfere in their field of work.
The article uses the words "the Authority" and "members of the Authority" as worded, and what is meant by them in this Law is the members of the Public Prosecution.
This article is directed at the individual member: the investigator or public prosecutor handles his case according to Sharia and the laws, not according to the wishes of any other party.
This does not mean that the member is exempt from accountability. Article 6 provides that the members enjoy the rights and guarantees set out in the Civil Service Law and the Retirement Law, and are bound by the duties of the Civil Service Law, without prejudice to what this Law requires.
Amendments: the current text is the version contained in Royal Decree No. (M/31) dated 13/4/1436 AH.
Anyone who believes there has been interference or a breach in the handling of a criminal case that concerns them should consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
Practical example
An investigator at the Public Prosecution in Riyadh is investigating a financial fraud case, and an influential person contacts him asking him to close the case. Under this article, the investigator is subject in his work only to the provisions of Islamic Sharia and the laws, and no one may interfere in his field of work.
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 5 of the Saudi Public Prosecution Law
Does the work of a public prosecutor have a judicial character?
Yes. The article states that the work of the members of the Authority has a judicial character.
Who is a Public Prosecution member subject to in his work?
He is subject only to the provisions of Islamic Sharia and the laws in force, and no one may interfere in his field of work.
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 الخامسة:
يكون لعمل أعضاء الهيئة الصفة القضائية، ويتمتعون بالاستقلال التام، ولا يخضعون في عملهم إلا لأحكام الشريعة الإسلامية، والأنظمة المرعية، وليس لأحد التدخل في مجال عملهم."
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يتمتع أعضاء الهيئة بالاستقلال التام، ولا يخضعون في عملهم إلا لأحكام الشريعة الإسلامية والأنظمة المرعية، وليس لأحد التدخل في مجال عملهم.
More articles on Duties of Prosecution Members
- Article 6
The article states that Public Prosecution members enjoy the rights and guarantees of the Civil Service Law and the Retirement Law and are bound by the Civil Service Law's duties, without prejudice to the provisions of this Law.
مع عدم الإخلال بما يقتضيه هذا النظام من أحكام، يتمتع أعضاء الهيئة بالحقوق والضمانات المقررة في نظام الخدمة المدنية، ونظام التقاعد. ويلتزمون بما نص عليه نظام الخ
- Article 7
The article bars a Public Prosecution member from combining his post with trade or any work inconsistent with the independence and dignity of the work, and allows the management committee to bar him from any work that conflicts with his duties.
لا يجوز لعضو الهيئة الجمع بين وظيفته ومزاولة التجارة أو أي مهنة أو عمل لا يتفق مع استقلال عمل الهيئة وكرامته. ويجوز للجنة إدارة الهيئة، أن تقرر منع عضو الهيئة م
- Article 8
The article bars Public Prosecution members from disclosing secrets they learn through their work, and this ban continues even after they leave service.
لا يجوز لأعضاء الهيئة إفشاء الأسرار التي يطلعون عليها بحكم عملهم، ولو بعد تركهم الخدمة.
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.