It settles commercial disputes and grievances, tax disputes and contractual affairs relating to foreigners and their investments within Saudi Arabia. It also investigates complaints and adjudicates them under the Board′s authority and with the approval of the King. Complaints brought before the Board since its creation have varied from those dealing with administrative decisions about pensions, salaries, and dismissals to those dealing with the levying of taxes and fees. It also reviews complaints of improper behavior brought against both go
vernment officials and qadis.
History
Since the reign of King Abd al Aziz, other rulers have created various secular tribunals outside of the sharia court system to deal with violations of administrative rules. In the 1950s, while the government was undertaking important modernizing changes, the need was felt for a tribunal that would review various administrative decisions and citizens` grievances. The Sharia courts, bound to apply Sharia law, were not in the best position to review legal rules that were outside the Sharia framework. The Saudi government fell back on a traditional Islamic institution, Diwan al-Mazalim (Board of Grievances), which finds its inspiration in Abbasid history, and adapted it to fit modern administrative machinery.
Constitutional Framework
The Grievances Board operates under the authority of the Bureau of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
(last updated: 20-November-2002)
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Saudi Arabia \ Judicial System \ Grievances Court
