JEDDAH: Courts will be allowed to issue a final verdict in cases against government departments that do not send representatives to hearings twice in a row.
In a move to achieve a quick settlement of court cases, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has given the Courts of Grievances the power to issue speedy verdicts.
King Abdullah also ordered the courts to end lawsuits filed against government departments and deliver verdicts as soon as possible after the Cabinet issued Article 18 of court proceedings, which sets out a series of reformative measures, Arabic daily Al-Jazirah reported on Friday. According to the law passed by the Cabinet, the defendant or representative should attend court hearings over a specified time.
If they do not attend, the bench can postpone the hearing to the next session. If the defendant still does not turn up, the court will have the authority to give its final verdict on the case. Abdullah issued the new decree in order to protect the rights of individuals who have filed cases against government departments. He also wanted courts to resolve cases quickly and prevent defendants from using delaying tactics.
The paper reported that the king has ordered all government departments to follow his instructions.
The royal order forms part of judicial reforms carried out by King Abdullah. Saudi Arabia is in the process of developing its judicial system by looking at American, British, French, Malaysian and Jordanian legal processes.
“We have selected a number of international judicial systems in order to adopt their best practices while formulating the Kingdom’s strategic plan for judicial development,” said Omar Al-Suwailem, director of the project that is reforming the system and its facilities.
A draft plan has been developed that aims to allocate a budget for providing individuals with judicial aid and implement the use of modern technology. It will also specify the number of judges needed for every 100,000 people, the number of officials assisting a judge and the average number of days required to pass judgment on a case.
