Judges shall be independent and, in the administration of justice, they shall be subject to no authority other than the provisions of Sharia and applicable laws.
No one may interfere with the judiciary.
Judges are not subject to removal from office except in the cases set forth in this Law.
Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 49 of this Law, judges may not be
transferred to other positions except with their consent or by reason of promotion, in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
Without prejudice to Article 68 of this Law, judges may not be sued for acts carried out in the performance of their duties except in accordance with the conditions and rules pertaining to the disciplining of judges.
The Supreme Judicial Council is composed of a President appointed by royal decree, and ten members as follows:
A - President of the Supreme Court.
B - Four full-time judges at the level of Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal, appointed by royal decree.
C - Deputy Minister of Justice.
D - President of the Public Prosecution and Investigation Authority.
E - Three members who meet the requirements for a Court of Appeal judge, appointed by royal decree. The term of the President of the Council and the members specified in paragraphs (B) and (E) is four years, renewable.
In addition to the other powers provided for in this Law, the Supreme Judicial Council shall:
a) attend to judges’ personnel affairs such as their appointment, promotion, discipline, assignment, secondment, training, transfer, leaves, termination of service, and the like, in accordance with established rules and procedures, in such a way so as to guarantee the independence of the judiciary;
b) issue regulations relating to the personnel affairs of judges upon the approval of the King;
c) issue judicial inspection regulations;
d) establish courts in accordance with the nomenclatures provided for in Article 9 of this Law, merge or cancel them, determine their venue and subject jurisdictions without prejudice to Article 25 of this Law, and constitute circuits therein;
e) supervise courts and judges and their work within the limits stated in this Law;
f) name chief judges of courts of appeals and their assistants from among the appeals judges and chief judges of courts of first instance and their assistants;
g) issue rules regulating the jurisdiction and powers of chief judges of courts and their assistants;
h) issue rules specifying the selection process of judges as well as the procedures and requirements pertaining to their study leaves;
i) regulate the work of trainee judges;
j) determine equivalent judicial work required to fill judicial ranks;
k) make recommendations relating to the Council’s established jurisdiction; and
l) prepare a comprehensive report at the end of each year including achievements, obstacles, and relevant recommendations, and bring the same before the King.
Headed by its Chairman, the Supreme Judicial Council shall convene at least once every other month and whenever the need arises. Its meeting shall be valid if attended by the majority of its members, and its decisions shall be taken by majority vote of the Council. In the absence of the Chairman of the Council, the President of the Supreme Court shall act on his behalf.
1. The Supreme Judicial Council shall have its own budget which shall be issued in accordance with the rules governing issuance of the State budget.
2. The Supreme Judicial Council shall have a General Secretariat and the Council shall select the Secretary General from among the judges.
3. A sufficient number of researchers, specialists, and administrators shall be appointed at the Council. Pursuant to its decision, the Council may seek the assistance of whomever it deems necessary. They shall be supervised by the Chairman of the Council.
4. The Council shall issue internal regulations to regulate its work and duties.