Arab News, Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 | Jumada Al-Uola 25, 1443
New law of evidence: A step to reinforce trust in Saudi judiciary system
Saudi Arabia: The
Saudi judicial system is seeing another immense development with the law of
evidence officially approved.
The new law, approved on Tuesday, aims to develop
the country’s legislative system. The law, alongside three others, namely the
personal status law, the civil transactions law, and the penal code for
discretionary sanctions, are the four main legislative projects announced last
year by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The law of evidence is expected to
eliminate discrepancies in courts.
Commenting on the new law, Saudi Attorney General
Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mujib was quoted by the Saudi Press Agency as saying
that its issuance is “one of the fruits of the efforts of the wise leadership in
developing the judicial system and procedural rules in preserving the rights,
consolidating the principles of justice, and enhancing the confidence in the
judicial system,”
Al-Mujib, who is also a member of the Saudi
Council of Senior Scholars, added that the law reflects the Kingdom’s eagerness
to develop its judiciary in a way that complies with global methods and
practices. This would effectively enhance justice, contribute to guaranteeing
individuals’ rights, and reduce disputes.
The president of the Saudi Court of Grievances and
head of the Administrative Judiciary Council, Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Yousef,
told SPA that the issuance of the law “will help in achieving a sustainable
development, and the creation of an attractive legal environment that enables
increased confidence in contracts and obligations, in general,”
Dr. Abdulkarim Al-Thiabi, vice dean of the Faculty
of Sharia and Laws at the University of Tabuk, told Arab News that the law of
evidence was in line with Saudi Vision 2030, and aims at creating a stable and
developed legislative environment that ensures and keeps pace with developing
legal challenges.
He added that the drafting of the comprehensive
rules complies with globally recognized standards of law, and the project is
considered the nucleus of a legislative environment that can attract investments
and achieve the desired judicial purposes.
He added that the more modern and developed the
rules of evidence in a particular legal system, the more likely they are to
enhance justice and protect the rights of all parties involved.
“The rules of evidence are the cornerstone of
stability in civil and commercial transactions, especially with the economic
growth witnessed by Saudi Arabia and its quest towards achieving its 2030
Vision,” Al-Thiabi concluded.