Saudi Arabia plans judicial overhaul to smoothen way for investors

Codifying unpredictable system could help draw investment

Saudi officials are working to overhaul the country’s unpredictable judicial system by the end of this year, partly to encourage investors long deterred by the perceived arbitrariness of the kingdom’s courts.
 
Authorities are working to codify a system that has historically granted judges wide discretion to issue rulings based on individual interpretations of Islamic law. This discretionary arrangement has created risk for both Saudi and international investors because it can lead to conflicting rulings from different judges even in similar cases.
 
While legislation will still be rooted in Islamic law, the codification “will contribute to the predictability of