Riyadh is poised for an unprecedented legal milestone as the curtains rise on the inaugural Administrative Judicial Enforcement Court this Monday. This pioneering court wields the authority to enforce legal judgments, even against the formidable bastions of ministries and government agencies.
Sources privy to the matter revealed to Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the enforcement of administrative judgments is set in motion through the submission of an enforcement request encapsulated in a statement of claim, deposited in the court for referral to the competent execution department. Subsequently, the concerned department notifies the party in question, providing a five-day window for urgent judgments and a more extended 30-day period for other judgments.
The regulatory framework for the Enforcement Law, applicable before the Courts under the Board of Grievances, has been officially released, explicitly addressing the implementation dynamics concerning state agencies and state-partly-owned enterprises. Emphasis was placed on the onus of the convicted individual to proactively execute final rulings, subject to expedited enforcement.
In the context of enforcement against mammoth administrative entities like ministries and government agencies, the Administrative Enforcement Courts will issue a cautionary directive to the administrative authority, specifying a defined timeframe for compliance.
The department, if deemed necessary, holds the prerogative to apprise the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority of matters within its disciplinary jurisdiction. Notably, the Administrative Enforcement Court is empowered to levy a substantial threatening fine, totaling SR10,000, upon individuals subject to the enforcement rule.
Stringent punitive measures are articulated for public sector employees attempting to obstruct the enforcement process. Exploiting one’s position to impede the execution of a ruling may warrant imprisonment up to seven years and a fine not exceeding SR700,000. Deliberate refraining from executing required documents, whether partially or wholly, with obstructive intent, carries a penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine not exceeding SR500,000. This penalty comes into effect eight days after receiving the warning or enforcement procedures notification, provided the implementation lies within the employee’s jurisdiction.
