Saudi Justice Minister Announces Progress on Penal Code

Saudi Minister of Justice Dr. Walid Al-Samaani has announced significant progress in the development of the Kingdom's Penal Code, highlighting improvements in legal predictability and efficiency. Speaking at a press conference in Riyadh, Al-Samaani emphasized the transformative impact of specialized legislation on the judicial system.

Key Developments

The Minister outlined several critical advancements:

• Reduction in Litigation Time: Specialized legislation has significantly reduced litigation time, with indicators showing improvements exceeding 70%.
• Increased Legal Certainty: The implementation of laws such as the Civil Transactions Law, Personal Status Law, and Evidence Law has enhanced legal certainty and predictability of judicial rulings.
• Beneficiary Satisfaction: Beneficiary satisfaction with legal services has risen to 92% in 2025, compared to 78% in 2022.
• Training and Development: Over 2,000 judges have received specialized training, and more than 11,000 trainees have participated in legal and advocacy-related programs.
• Technological Integration: The launch of the virtual enforcement court has processed over 400,000 enforcement requests, reducing processing time to five days.

Implications for the Legal System

These developments have several implications:

• Enhanced Efficiency: The reduction in litigation time and increased predictability contribute to a more efficient legal system.
• Improved Public Trust: Higher beneficiary satisfaction indicates growing public trust in the judicial system.
• Alignment with Vision 2030: These reforms align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aiming to modernize and enhance various sectors, including the judiciary.

Conclusion

The progress on Saudi Arabia's Penal Code and related judicial reforms signify a substantial step toward a more efficient and predictable legal system. These advancements are expected to bolster public confidence and support the Kingdom's broader modernization efforts.