RIYADH — The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched “corporate accounts" feature on its Najiz.sa portal, aiming to enable enterprises to receive legal services in a swift and efficient manner. “The service allows the main corporate representative to activate the corporate account, so that the account can be managed through Najiz verified by National Single Sign-On,” the ministry said. “It allows the management of the entity’s legal affairs, such as litigation inquiries and enforcement applications filed by or against the entity.” “Accounts of limited liability companies are automatically activated through digital integration with the Ministry of Commerce,” the MoJ added. “Accounts of other corporations are activated through the national enterprise number, and the legal representative stated in the memorandum of association is automatically authorized.” The ministry added that applications for account activation should be filed through the Najiz.sa portal, and that verification takes less than 48 hours. Saudi courts hold 1.35 million remote hearings since launch of e-litigation The Saudi courts have held 1.35 million remote hearings since the service was launched in March 2020. The e-litigation service was launched as part of the ministry of justice efforts to enhance digitization and improve efficiency. “The hearings include 1.2 million hearings conducted through videoconferencing; and 150,000 hearings conducted through the digital pleading service,” the MoJ said. “The courts also issued 228,000 decisions and 438,000 rulings remotely.” The ministry had earlier approved the procedural guide for the service, which uses a governance system that maintains judicial safeguards. The e-litigation service covers procedures such as the electronic exchange of briefs, e-filing of documents, digital pleading, virtual hearings, and digital delivery of judgments. Trials are carried out remotely through “digital pleading,” enabling electronic exchange of documents and briefs; as well as “virtual hearings” enabling audio-visual sessions through the videoconferencing tools approved by the ministry. — SG