Saudi Arabia has officially implemented the Personal Status Law following the approval of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
Key Features of the Personal Status Law
The regulations, consisting of 41 articles, took effect on Friday, marking a significant step in enhancing the legal framework governing family affairs.
Marriage Contract and Legal Procedures
The law authorizes the Minister of Justice to establish necessary procedures for hearing cases related to marriage contracts conducted without prior approval from relevant authorities.
This process will be coordinated with concerned entities, and additional regulations may be introduced based on judicial applications and evolving legal requirements.
Marriage Contracts for Non-Muslims
The new regulations mandate that marriage contracts between non-Muslims be officially documented, regardless of whether they share the same nationality.
Women’s Rights and Child Custody
The framework ensures that a wife's right to request marriage annulment due to a condition in the husband that prevents marital relations is not waived simply because she did not immediately pursue legal action.
Additionally, the law upholds the mother’s right to child custody if the child is under two years old, even if she remarries a man unrelated to the child.
Legal Age and Financial Rights
The legislation sets the legal age of marriage at 18, reinforces a woman’s right to financial support from her husband, and grants her the ability to request a marriage annulment based on specific circumstances.
Saudi Arabia’s Legal Reforms
The Saudi Cabinet first approved the Personal Status Law in March 2022, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasizing that the legislation is derived from Islamic principles and aligned with international best practices.
The Personal Status Law is part of a broader legal reform initiative announced in February 2021, which includes:
- Personal Status Law
- Civil Transactions Law
- Penal Code for Discretionary Sanctions
- Law of Evidence
