JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s new changes in the judicial system yesterday, including the appointment of new Justice Minister Mohammed ibn Abdul Kareem ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Eissa, are aimed at establishing a more dynamic and proactive judicial environment, said sources close to the judiciary.
The changes cover official bodies such as the Supreme Judicial Council, the high court, the Court of Grievances and the Court of Appeal.
“These decisions are a translation of King Abdullah’s wish to turn the judicial system into one that is compatible with the correct and tolerant Islamic Shariah,” said lawyer Majed M. Garoub, chairman of the National Committee of Lawyers and chairman of the lawyers committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He described the new appointees to be men of integrity and high caliber, and expected the changes to expedite litigation in favor of the Kingdom, citizens, expatriates and investors.
“This is a great day for the Saudi judicial system. The crucial changes have covered the knees of the judicial work in the Kingdom,” Garoub said.
He hoped the changes would be extended to cover lawyers and urged the king to respond to the wishes of thousands of lawyers by establishing “a national authority for lawyers” which would contribute to further upgrading the judicial system.
Saudi lawyer Sultan bin Zahim said that reforms in the Saudi judicial system has to be based on objectivity and transparency. In this context there should be a system allowing all court hearings “to be accessed by the public.” This, he said, is the only way to defend the claims that some judges are not violating their power.
Zahim called on the newly appointed minister of justice to revamp the judicial system by moving forward with the “King Abdullah Project,” which former Minister of Justice Abdullah Al-Asheikh had begun.
Dr. Fahad M. Al-Khofair, a lawyer and approved commercial arbitrator, said the new changes would establish a new status for judiciary in the Kingdom, which would be valid for more than 50 years.
“These are unprecedented changes in the judicial history of the Kingdom, and would initiate a big leap in the system and expedite litigation,” he said.
Al-Khofair expected the changes to be positive and said it reflected on all those involved in judiciary including lawyers who would benefit from the decisions. “The new changes in the judicial sector will save a lot of time, money and effort and will reduce the time of litigation especially in the light of promises to double the number of judges,” he said.
Al-Khofair indicated that the lawyers were already feeling a reduction in the time of litigation and said cases that used to continue for three years were now settled in six months. “The family affairs cases such as divorce and alimony could now be ruled in a short time,” he added.
He described the Kingdom’s judicial system to be distinct and unique, and said the Kingdom is the only country in the world in which anyone can go directly to court to file a suit without the help of a lawyer. “These new changes will provide an atmosphere which is conducive for easy litigation and this would be in the interest of society at large,” he added.
— With input from Fatima Sidiya
