Article 3 of the Saudi Rules on Suspending Services
المادة 3 من ضوابط إيقاف الخدمات
Item Third arranges suspension of individuals' services in three stages of increasing effect, with stages one and two each limited to 30 days, and the individual's identity excluded.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يكون إيقاف الخدمات للأفراد وفقًا للترتيب الآتي:
أ- المرحلة الأولى: إيقاف الخدمات (منخفضة الأثر)، وتشمل: الخدمات الجديدة غير المرتبطة بخدمة قائمة، والخدمات الإضافية التي لا يترتب على إيقافها أثر كبير على الفرد.
ب- المرحلة الثانية: إيقاف الخدمات (متوسطة الأثر)، وتشمل: الخدمات التي تحد من الاستفادة من الخدمات غير المؤثرة.
ج- المرحلة الثالثة: إيقاف الخدمات (عالية الأثر)، وتشمل: جميع الخدمات التي يمكن إيقافها، على ألَّا يشمل ذلك هوية الفرد.
2- لا تتجاوز مدة إيقاف الخدمات في المرحلتين (الأولى) و(الثانية) المشار إليهما (30) يومًا لكل مرحلة.
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 3 explained in plain English
Item Third sets out how suspension of services is applied to individuals. It does not begin by suspending everything at once, but proceeds gradually in three stages:
- First stage (low effect): includes new services not connected to an existing service, and additional services whose suspension has no great effect on the individual.
- Second stage (medium effect): includes services that limit the benefit from the non-impactful services.
- Third stage (high effect): includes all services that can be suspended, provided that this does not include the individual's identity.
The item sets a time limit: the period of suspension in the first stage may not exceed 30 days, nor in the second stage 30 days. As for the third stage, the item sets no period.
This arrangement is linked to item Second, which requires each government body to classify its services that can be suspended into three categories according to the effect of suspension, and requires that services not be suspended at any stage unless the Committee has notified the person concerned a sufficient period beforehand.
Anyone who wants to know the stage their suspension has reached or the validity of the procedure may consider consulting a lawyer specializing in administrative cases or enforcement cases.
Practical example
An order is issued against Saad to suspend his services. The first stage began, and he could no longer request some new services, and this did not exceed 30 days; then the suspension moved to the second stage for a period not exceeding another 30 days. Even in the third stage his national identity remains outside the suspension.
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 3 of the Saudi Rules on Suspending Services
How long is each stage of suspending individuals' services?
The period of suspension in the first stage may not exceed 30 days, nor in the second stage 30 days each; the item sets no period for the third stage.
Can the national identity be suspended as part of suspending services?
No. The third stage includes all services that can be suspended, provided that this does not include the individual's identity.
Which services are suspended in the first stage?
New services not connected to an existing service, and additional services whose suspension has no great effect on the individual.
More articles on Stages of Suspending Services for Individuals and Businesses
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.