RIYADH: The number of practicing lawyers in Saudi Arabia has increase by 315% in seven years, the ministry of justice announced on Wednesday. The number of licenses granted to lawyers in 2023 was 15,936,  up from 3,844 in 2016, according to ministry official, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The ministry said 3,844 licenses were granted to female lawyers, sharply up from the 102 accreditations issued seven years earlier. The judicial sector in the Kingdom has witnessed rapid overhaul in recent years, including the approval by Justice Minister Walid Al-Samaani of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers, enhancing the principles of transparency and allowing foreign law firms to provide consultancy services pertaining to Saudi laws.