RIYADH: The Judicial Supreme Council (JSC) in Riyadh has unveiled its plan to build 10 more court buildings in various regions of the country.

The announcement was made at a meeting of the JSC chaired by Minister of Justice Walid A-Samaani at its headquarters in the capital.

Members of the council praised the new state budget this year describing it as realistic in rationalizing expenditure based on a clear vision about its goal.

The JSC noted that this year’s budget has reaffirmed to the international community that the Saudi economy is still sound and that the deficit can be dealt with as part of its short and long-term strategy in a transparent manner.

“The council has decided to build 10 courts in Taif, Al-Ahsa, Alkhobar, Abha, Khamis Mushayt, Jazan, Hail, Sakaka, Najran and Tabuk,” said the Secretary-General and spokesman Salman Al-Nashwan.

He said that the decision reflects the importance of the judiciary as being complementary to other organs of the state in supporting the economy. This will also encourage investors at home and abroad to leave their funds in the Kingdom without any apprehension.

The meeting also endorsed the creation of a centralized judicial district in Riyadh to review issues concerning real estate in the country. The district is expected to be composed of three judges tasked with streamlining procedures for such cases.

They also approved the creation of apex bureaus in some public courts for considering relevant issues stipulated in Article 31 of the Shariah Procedure Law.

The meeting also examined job-related affairs for the judges such as appointments, transfers and upgrades. The council approved the transfer of 12 court of appeals judges to Riyadh and eight others to the Court of Appeals in Makkah.