Administrative Cases

What do we offer in this area?

• Studying the administrative decision and related documents
• Preparing grievances, statements of claim and memoranda
• Following up on the lawsuit and appealing judgments within the scope of the agreement

The scope of work and required documents are determined after reviewing the matter and agreeing on the engagement.

When does an individual resort to the Administrative Court?

The Administrative Court under the Board of Grievances hears disputes to which a government entity is a party. A government employee may need it when denied a promotion or allowance, a citizen when a license application is refused, a small business owner when a penalty is imposed on them, or a contractor with a government entity when their dues are delayed. The Law of the Board of Grievances provides for the jurisdiction of the Administrative Courts over actions including:

• Rights established under the civil service, military service, and retirement systems
• Annulment of final administrative decisions
• Compensation for the decisions or acts of an administrative authority
• Contracts to which a government entity is a party

Annulling an Administrative Decision: On What Basis Can It Be Challenged?

It is not enough for a decision to be prejudicial to the person affected for it to be annulled. An action to annul an administrative decision rests on a defect in the decision, such as its issuance by an unauthorized authority, its violation of the prescribed form and procedures, its violation of laws and regulations or an error in applying them, or an abuse of power. The review therefore begins by reading the decision and its stated grounds and the law under which it was issued, then identifying the defect that can be proven with documents.

The Law of Procedure before the Board of Grievances requires, in many lawsuits, a grievance to the authority that issued the decision before filing suit, and it sets deadlines for the grievance and for filing suit afterward. Missing these deadlines may bar acceptance of the lawsuit, so it is advisable to bring the decision to an administrative lawyer as soon as it becomes known.

Filing and following up on the case before the Board of Grievances via Moeen

The Board of Grievances allows the administrative lawsuit to be filed electronically through the "Moeen" platform, and hearings to be attended remotely in all of its courts, so the case can be followed from any region. This is explained on the E-Litigation and Video Hearings page. The service generally proceeds as follows:

• Gathering the decision, proof of the date it became known, and prior correspondence
• Preparing the grievance and submitting it to the decision-issuing authority when required
• Preparing the statement of claim and filing it through Moeen under a power of attorney
• Filing memoranda, attending sessions, and appealing the judgment within the scope of engagement

What Should You Prepare Before the Consultation?

Bring a copy of the decision or action being challenged, proof of the date you were notified of it, any prior grievance and the authority's response to it, and the documents establishing your right, such as appointment decisions, the contract, or correspondence. To learn about the scope of administrative justice more generally, see the Administrative Cases page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Board of Grievances and the Administrative Court?

The Board of Grievances is an independent administrative judicial body, and the Administrative Courts are among its courts that hear cases at first instance, above which are the Administrative Courts of Appeal and then the Supreme Administrative Court. The Board's branches have been converted into administrative courts in the Kingdom's regions, so the lawsuit is filed with the competent Administrative Court as determined by the law.

Is a Grievance Required Before Filing a Lawsuit to Annul an Administrative Decision?

In many actions, yes: the Law of Litigation before the Board of Grievances requires filing a grievance with the issuing authority within a specified period before bringing the action, with exceptions for certain types of decisions. The deadlines vary with the type of decision and the date it became known, so the applicable provision should be checked for each case before taking any step.

How do I follow up my case at the Board of Grievances via Moeen?

The digital Moeen platform allows filing a lawsuit, following up on requests, and attending video hearings after logging in through National Single Sign-On (Nafath). When a lawyer is retained, he handles filing, follow-up, and submission of memoranda. The office serves clients in person in Riyadh and Jazan, and remotely in the remaining regions, with in-person attendance available by prior arrangement.