The Supreme Judicial Council approves specialized courts for inheritance and arbitration in Riyadh
In a pivotal step aimed at developing the judicial system and enhancing the efficiency of judicial performance, the Supreme Judicial Council , chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Walid bin Mohammed Al-Samaani, approved a package of significant regulatory decisions that contribute to consolidating the principle of "specialized courts." The Council officially approved the allocation of independent judicial circuits to hear arbitration cases, in addition to adopting precise rules for distributing inheritance cases and applications among specialized circuits in the Personal Status Court and the Court of Appeal in Riyadh.
The context of judicial reforms and Vision 2030
These decisions are an extension of the comprehensive reforms underway in the Saudi Arabian judicial system, which align with the goals of Vision 2030. The past few years have witnessed a historic transformation in the structure of the Saudi judiciary, beginning with the institutional independence of the judiciary, continuing with the complete digitalization of judicial services, and culminating in the issuance of specialized legislation such as the Civil Transactions Law and the Personal Status Law. The move towards "specialized courts" is a fundamental pillar at this stage to ensure the accuracy of judgments and the swift resolution of disputes.
The economic and social impact of resolving estate disputes
The decision to establish specialized courts for inheritance cases is of paramount importance, extending beyond the purely legal sphere to encompass economic and social dimensions. Economically, this move is expected to release substantial financial and real estate assets that have been frozen for years due to protracted litigation in intractable inheritance disputes, thereby injecting this liquidity back into the economic cycle and boosting investment opportunities. Socially, expediting the resolution of these cases will help preserve family ties, which are often negatively impacted by lengthy inheritance disputes, thus contributing to tangible social stability.
Enhancing the investment environment through arbitration
On another front, the establishment of independent arbitration courts reflects the Kingdom's commitment to providing an attractive legal environment for both foreign and domestic investment. Arbitration is the preferred method for the business sector to resolve disputes due to its speed and flexibility. By institutionalizing this process and linking it to specialized judicial circuits for the enforcement of its rulings or the review of their annulment, the Kingdom enhances investor confidence in the efficiency and fairness of the commercial judicial system.
Leadership directives and support for the judicial system
Dr. Al-Samaani opened the meeting by expressing his appreciation for the unwavering support the judicial system receives from the wise leadership. He emphasized to the members that the next phase requires a heightened focus on enhancing the efficiency of judicial work and improving its outcomes to align with the goals of comprehensive development. The council members discussed several matters related to the direct oversight of the work of the courts and judges, making the necessary decisions to ensure the discipline of operations and the continued development of all judicial facilities, guaranteeing that rights are delivered to their rightful owners as quickly as possible and to the highest standards of quality.
