Article 13 of the Saudi Security Surveillance Cameras Law
المادة 13 من نظام استخدام كاميرات المراقبة الأمنية
The article allows anyone against whom a penalty decision is issued under the cameras law to challenge it before the Administrative Court within 60 days of being notified of the decision.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز لمن صدر في حقه قرار بالعقوبة التظلم منه أمام المحكمة الإدارية خلال (ستين) يومًا من تاريخ إبلاغه بالقرار.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article guarantees the right to object to penalty decisions issued under the Law. Its elements:
- Who may challenge: anyone against whom a penalty decision has been issued.
- Before whom: the Administrative Court.
- The period: 60 days.
- When the period starts: from the date of being notified of the decision, not the date it was issued.
The challenge here is optional, that is, a right the person concerned may use if they wish. The article does not state the effect of missing the period, the procedures for filing the challenge, or whether the challenge suspends enforcement of the fine, so none of this should be assumed from the text.
The penalty decisions meant are those issued under Article 12, which sets fines ranging from SAR 500 to SAR 20,000 depending on the violation, such as SAR 500 for each camera or device that violates the technical specifications in the conditions document, and SAR 20,000 for transferring or publishing recordings in violation of the Law or destroying the devices or recordings.
It is followed by Article 14, which requires those subject to the Law to comply with the security conditions and requirements and technical specifications in the conditions document, and with what the National Cybersecurity Authority issues.
Since the period is fixed, it is important to watch the date of notification. To assess your chances of a challenge in your case, you may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative matters.
Practical example
A health facility in Madinah was notified of a fine decision for not keeping recordings. It may challenge the decision before the Administrative Court within 60 days starting from the date it was notified of the decision.
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 13 of the Saudi Security Surveillance Cameras Law
How do I object to a surveillance cameras law fine?
Anyone against whom a penalty decision has been issued may challenge it before the Administrative Court.
How long do I have to challenge a camera fine?
60 days from the date of being notified of the decision.
Is the challenge period counted from the date the decision was issued?
No, it is counted from the date the person concerned is notified of the decision.
More articles on Fines for Violating the Cameras Law
- Article 9
The article provides that violations of the Law are detected and recorded in reports under the regulations' procedures, by employees the Minister of Interior names by decision.
1- تضبط مخالفات أحكام النظام وتثبت في محاضر وفق الإجراءات التي تحددها اللائحة. 2- يتولى موظفون -يصدر بتسميتهم قرار من الوزير- ضبط مخالفات أحكام النظام. وتحدد ال
- Article 10
The article allows the Ministry of Interior to assign the task of detecting some violations of the Law to the private sector, except violations of a security nature, under the relevant legal procedures.
يجوز للوزارة إسناد مهمات ضبط بعض مخالفات أحكام النظام -عدا المخالفات ذات الطابع الأمني- إلى القطاع الخاص؛ وذلك وفقاً للإجراءات النظامية ذات الصلة.
- Article 11
The article provides for one or more committees in each region, formed by decision of the Minister of Interior, of three members one of whom holds a Sharia or legal qualification, to examine violations and decide the penalty under Article 12.
تكوّن بقرار من الوزير، لجنة (أو أكثر) في كل منطقة، من ثلاثة أعضاء، يحمل أحدهم مؤهلاً شرعيّاً أو نظاميّاً؛ للنظر في المخالفات المنصوص عليها في النظام وتقرير العق
- Article 12
The article sets fines for violating the cameras law from SAR 500 to SAR 20,000 depending on the type of violation, and allows the Minister to issue a table of violations the violator must remove within a set period.
1- دون إخلال بأي عقوبة أشد ينص عليها نظام آخر، يعاقب كل شخص ذي صفة طبيعية أو اعتبارية خاصة -خاضع لأحكام النظام- يخالف أي حكم من أحكام النظام وفقاً للآتي: أ- غرا
- Article 15
The article allows the Minister or his delegate to give anyone who helps detect a violation a financial incentive reward of up to 10% of the fine collected, provided they are not a Ministry employee or someone engaged to detect violations or carry out oversight or inspection.
للوزير -أو من يفوضه- أن يمنح -وفقاً لضوابط وشروط يضعها الوزير- من يساعد في الكشف عن أي مخالفة لأحكام النظام مكافأةً ماليةً تشجيعية لا تزيد على (%10) من مبلغ الغ
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.