The following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to them, unless the context requires otherwise:
Law: Code of Law Practice.
Regulations: The implementing regulations of the Code of Law Practice.
Rules: Rules of recording, filing and considering the disciplinary action.
Minister: Minister of Justice.
Ministry: Ministry of Justice.
Association: Saudi Bar Association.
Committee: The Disciplinary Committee provided for in Article (thirty one) of the Law.
Competent Department: The competent department in the Ministry.
Competent employee: The employee in the competent department assigned to any of the tasks within its competence.
Licensed: The lawyer and the foreign law firm licensed to practice law profession according to the provisions of the Law.
Complaints and reports shall be submitted to the competent department in the Ministry and the association in accordance with the approved forms.
The competent department shall control, inspect and record violations, verify complaints and reports. In the exercise of its functions, it shall have the following powers:
1- Entering the Law firm offices; to verify the compliance of the licensed with the laws and instructions.
2- Reviewing the necessary papers, documents and licenses to verify the licensed compliance with the laws and instructions.
3- Request to inform the licensed of the violation attributed to it and to hear the complainant statements and any related party when necessary.
The competent employee is committed to integrity and maintaining confidentiality, adhering in his work to the approved manuals and procedures, and refraining from any act in which there is a conflict of interest.
The licensed to practice Law Profession shall enable the competent employee to perform his work in accordance with the powers granted to him.
1- The competent employee shall prepare a report of the violation according to the approved form, including: the violator's data, the violation description, the incident date, the relevant evidence and clues, and the recommendation to refer to investigation or dismissal of case.
2- The competent department shall decide to refer the licensed to the investigation, or dismissal in the absence of finding a violation that requires the referral to the investigation.
1- The competent department shall investigate the violations and shall abide by the investigation due processes, including: confronting the violator with the violation attributed to him, and enabling him to express his defense.
2- The investigation shall be conducted in person, or remotely -verbally or in writing - via approved electronic means; at the discretion of the competent department.
3- If the licensed refuses to investigate, or fails to attend after being notified, the competent department shall prove this, and the violation shall be referred to the committee.