Riyadh, Feb 8, 2021, SPA -- HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced that the Kingdom has taken serious steps towards developing its legislative environment during the past few years, including adopting new laws and reforming existing ones. These laws are meant to preserve rights, bolster the principles of justice, enforce transparency, protect human rights and achieve comprehensive and sustainable development, in a manner to reinforce the Kingdom’s global competitiveness based on objective and clearly identified procedural and institutional references. HRH the Crown Prince emphasized that the Personal Status Law draft, which is being finalized, is one of four draft laws being prepared by the relevant entities. He clarified that these draft laws will then be submitted to the Council of Ministers and its bodies for review and consideration, in accordance with the legislative process and in preparation for submission to the Shura Council, pursuant to its law. These laws will then be promulgated pursuant to the legislative laws. HRH the Crown Prince stated that the Personal Status Law, the Civil Transactions Law, the Penal Code for Discretionary Sentences, and the Law of Evidence will represent a new wave of reforms that will contribute to the ability to predict court decisions, increase the level of integrity and efficiency of judicial institutions, and increase the reliability of procedures and oversight mechanisms as cornerstones in achieving the principles of justice, clarifying the lines of accountability and ensuring the consistency of legal references in a manner that limits discrepancies in courts decisions. HRH the Crown Prince noted that “The absence of applicable legislations has led to discrepancies in decisions and a lack of clarity in the principles governing facts and practices. This resulted in prolonged litigation not based on legal texts. In addition, the absence of a clear legal framework for the private and business sectors has led to ambiguity with respect to obligations. HRH added, “this was painful for many individuals and families, especially women, permitting some to evade their responsibilities. This will not take place after these laws are promulgated pursuant to legislative laws and procedures.” HRH also noted that a draft known as “the Code of Judicial Decisions” was crafted a few years ago, but was revealed to be insufficient in terms of meeting society’s needs and expectations after careful review. Therefore, it was decided to draft the aforementioned laws within the scope of the current legal and judicial international practices and standards, yet adhering to Sharia principles and taking into consideration the Kingdom’s commitments under international conventions and treaties. HRH noted the ongoing development process of the Kingdom’s judicial system, adding that these laws will be announced consecutively this year. HRH The Crown Prince expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his guidance and keenness to secure the rights of the citizens and residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to safeguard their interests. --SPA 22:15 LOCAL TIME 19:15 GMT 0029 www.spa.gov.sa/w1501204