Since Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state, its judicial system is based on Islamic law (Shari’ah) for both criminal and civil cases.  At the top of the legal system is the King, who acts as the final court of appeal and as a source of pardon.

The Saudi court system consists of three main parts. The largest is the Shari’ah Courts, which hear most cases in the Saudi legal system. The Shari’ah courts are organized into several categories: Courts of the First Instance (Summary and General Courts), Courts of Cassation and the Supreme Judicial Council.

Supplementing the Shari’ah courts is the Board of Grievances, which hears cases that involve the government. The third part of the Saudi court system consists of various committees within government ministries that address specific disputes, such as labor issues.

In April 2005, a royal order approved in principle a plan to reorganize the judicial system. On October 1, 2007, a royal order approved the new system. Changes include the establishment of a Supreme Court and special commercial, labor and administrative courts.