Saudi panel to examine law to end custodianship of minors at 18

JEDDAH — There is a move to introduce a provision in the law to end custodianship of minors at 18 years of age unless the court rules to continue the custodianship even after 18.

Okaz/Saudi Gazette has learned from informed sources that a committee has been set up to study the addition of this provision to the Shariah Proceedings Law of 1435 H.

The concerned court has to take a decision if the minor wanted to prove his adulthood before that age, the sources said.

The committee, which is comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Board of Grievances, the Supreme Judiciary Council and the Public Prosecution are required to examine the relevant regulations, the legal provisions and financial transactions in this regard.

The committee also needs to take into account the provisions in the Executive Byelaw of Shariah Proceedings Law, issued by a ministerial decision in 1435.

The sources also pointed that a study will be carried out to add a provision to Article IV of the Travel Documents Law, issued by a royal decree in 1421H, regarding issuance of an independent passport for those minors under custodianship, and to propose necessary amendments in light of the existing regulations.