RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabia outlined its plan for a judicial system overhaul, including the creation of a supreme court, an appeals court and new general courts.
The country said it has allocated $2 billion to train judges and build new courts, which will replace the current Supreme Judicial Council, the BBC reported Friday.
The reforms, announced by Saudi King Abdullah, have been welcomed by Saudi reformers, who have complained that the current system gives Saudi judges too much leeway to set rulings based on their personal interpretation of Islamic law. The reformers also welcomed provisions that will for the first time allow Saudi defendants to appeal rulings and ensure they have access to proper legal representation.
Hassan al-Mulla, the head of the Saudi Bar Association, said the royal decree ordered the creation of two supreme courts to handle cases from general and administrative courts. He said the Supreme Judicial Council will be relegated to reviewing administrative issues, including the salaries and appointments of judges.
