Introduction
Quasi-judicial committees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are considered one of the most prominent components of the integrated judicial system. They contribute to achieving specialized justice in fields that require technical or highly regulated expertise, such as insurance, taxation, finance, and capital markets.
These committees were established in response to the expansion of economic and administrative activities in the Kingdom and to ensure speedy dispute resolution away from the lengthy procedures of the public judiciary.
In this article, we explore the nature of these committees, their jurisdictions, mechanisms of operation, their relationship with the administrative judiciary, and their importance in ensuring specialized justice within Saudi Arabia’s judicial framework.
What Are Quasi-Judicial Committees?
Quasi-judicial committees are specialized governmental bodies established under specific regulations or administrative decrees and granted judicial powers to adjudicate certain technical or regulatory disputes, such as insurance, financing, or taxation cases.
These committees are not traditional courts, yet they operate under procedures similar to judicial processes, including hearing parties, reviewing evidence, and issuing written and reasoned decisions.
The Legal Basis for Quasi-Judicial Committees
These committees derive their authority from the regulations and organizational frameworks governing each sector, such as:
The Cooperative Insurance Companies Control Law (establishing insurance dispute committees)
The Selective Tax and VAT Laws (establishing tax dispute committees)
The Finance Companies Control Law (establishing financing dispute committees)
The Capital Market Law (establishing securities dispute resolution committees)
The Labor Law (which previously established labor committees before their transfer to labor courts)
Most Prominent Quasi-Judicial Committees in Saudi Arabia
1. Insurance Dispute Committees
They adjudicate disputes between insurance companies and policyholders or beneficiaries, including:
Rejection of claims
Disagreements over damage valuation
Disputes related to policy terms
2. Tax Dispute Committees
These committees operate under the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority and hear objections filed by taxpayers regarding tax, zakat, and fee assessments.
They usually operate through two stages:
The Primary Tax Dispute Committee
The Appellate Tax Dispute Committee
3. Financing Dispute Committees
They adjudicate cases related to the financing sector—including real estate financing, leasing, and consumer financing—under the supervision of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).
Examples include:
Payment delays or defaults
Objections to financing contracts
Disputes over bank guarantees
4. Securities Dispute Committees
These highly specialized committees operate under the Capital Market Authority and adjudicate disputes arising from transactions in stocks and securities, including market manipulation and misleading disclosures.
5. Sports Dispute Committees
Responsible for disputes related to sports activities, including player contracts and conflicts involving clubs and federations, in coordination with the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
Nature of Decisions Issued by the Committees
The committees issue judicially binding decisions, which may be appealed before the Administrative Judiciary (Board of Grievances) if legal grounds exist, such as exceeding authority or violating applicable laws.
This establishes their role as part of the integrated judicial system rather than merely administrative bodies.
Advantages of Quasi-Judicial Committees
Speed in resolving disputes compared to general courts
Highly specialized expertise in technical fields such as insurance and finance
Reduced burden on administrative courts
Effective justice within regulated technical domains
Providing formal appeal mechanisms that ensure the right to litigation
Relationship Between Quasi-Judicial Committees and the Administrative Judiciary
The Board of Grievances (Administrative Judiciary) is the competent authority to review appeals against decisions issued by quasi-judicial committees.
If a party believes the decision is flawed or exceeds legal authority, a cancellation lawsuit may be filed before the relevant administrative court.
This ensures a balance between the technical expertise of the committees and the legal oversight of the administrative judiciary.
Judicial Guarantees in Committee Procedures
Transparency and public hearings
The right to defense and presentation of arguments
Reasoned decisions with legal references
The right to appeal and seek review
Compliance with procedural rules and impartiality
Role of Lawyers Before Quasi-Judicial Committees
Lawyers play a crucial role in protecting clients’ rights before these committees by:
Preparing legal memoranda and objections
Representing parties in hearings
Presenting legal defenses and arguments
Following up on appeals before the Board of Grievances
Soubul Al-Adalah for Advocacy and Legal Consultations is recognized as a leading firm in representing clients before various quasi-judicial committees, with extensive expertise and methodological precision.
Importance of Quasi-Judicial Committees in Vision 2030
These committees align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by:
Accelerating legal procedures
Enhancing the quality of regulatory decisions
Improving the business environment
Supporting transparency and protecting rights
Challenges Facing Quasi-Judicial Committees
Despite their success, certain challenges remain, such as:
Inconsistent legal expertise across committees
The need for unified procedures and supporting regulations
Limited public awareness of the right to appeal
Conclusion
Quasi-judicial committees in Saudi Arabia represent a unique model of specialized justice that combines speed, efficiency, and technical precision, making them a fundamental component of the modern judicial system.
Thanks to the integrated legal framework established by the state, these committees have become essential to achieving prompt and effective justice in economic and administrative fields.