The Saudi Ministry of Justice announced today, Monday, the launch of its first Administrative Execution Court, which will have jurisdiction over administrative bodies and officials in an attempt to support the investment environment. The Ministry of Justice stated in a press release, "The administrative court will receive complaints from local and foreign investors against government institutions."
It added that the court will prioritize resolving cases through mediation but will also have executive authority over entities and government officials. This move follows the approval of a civil transactions law last month, as part of broader judicial reforms initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aimed at boosting the economy and reducing reliance on oil exports.
The civil transactions law is, in fact, the first written civil law in the Kingdom, replacing a system where judges had full discretion in resolving commercial disputes, guided by Islamic law. The new court and the law aim to enhance the confidence of foreign investors, who are considering whether to engage with the Kingdom, which has long been perceived as having an ambiguous legal system.
