Law of Saudi Arabia

Module 5

Rights, public administration and accountability: the rights and duties in the Basic Law, the regulation of religion, family and personal conduct, administrative law and remedies, anti-corruption and public office, and privacy and personal data

The Basic Law of Governance contains a chapter on rights and duties. It says that the state protects human rights in accordance with Islamic Sharia (Article 26), that no one may be arrested, imprisoned or have their liberty restricted except under the law (Article 36), that homes are inviolable (Article 37), that punishment is personal and there is no crime or penalty except under a Sharia or statutory text (Article 38), and that telephone and postal communications are protected (Article 40). These rights are framed by Sharia and by the duties of the individual and the state, and they are applied by the courts and administrative bodies more than claimed against the legislature. The state also regulates religion, family conduct and public behaviour, and an expanding set of laws now covers administrative remedies, anti-corruption and the protection of personal data. This module describes the rights as they are written, the way they are limited and the practical remedies available. Sensitive subjects are described as law, not as a view of their merits.

General education on the law of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, using invented people and businesses. It states laws and procedures in simplified form and is not legal advice. The law and its practice change, and every case turns on its facts, the current regulations and the authority concerned. It does not offer legal representation or a legal opinion on any case. Consult a lawyer licensed in the Kingdom for any real matter.

This course was written on 6 November 2026. To the best of our knowledge, it describes the law of Saudi Arabia as it stood on that date. Laws change, and we may have missed or misunderstood something. If you notice a change, or have other information, please do not hesitate to contact us: we will review it and update the course. We do not claim to be the final source of the law.