Accompanied by Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkareem Al-Issa, Minister of Justice of Saudi Arabia, who is currently on a visit to Britain, held a meeting here today with UK President of Supreme Court Lord Phillips and high-ranking judges. During the meeting, Dr. Al-Issa confirmed that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud project for developing the judiciary system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia boosted the Kingdom to occupy first places worldwide in some procedural reforms, describing the project as historical. Briefing the British senior judges on some reforms taking place at the judiciary in the Kingdom, Al-Issa said the monarch's project focused on updating routine measures of courts including notarization of real estate ownership. Currently, some 400 utilities in the judiciary are being computerized and courts being equipped with skilled personnel, he said. He also confirmed the principles and guarantees of judicial independence, saying that no interfering or influencing on judges take place in Saudi Arabia. The Minister highlighted the idea of litigation alternatives, including the creation of cordial settlement offices. He spoke about the Ministry of Justice's keenness to solve family differences cordially before reaching the boxes . On arbitration, Dr. Al-Issa confirmed the important role of arbitration in the justice process, noting that a new arbitration system is currently being functioning in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He said judiciary never intervenes in arbitration and it only monitors whether an arbitration rule is violated, explaining that the rules of foreign arbitrators are observed through agreements and reciprocal treatment. He told Lord Phillips that the Kingdom's system guarantees fair defense for the accused. Even those who could not afford hiring lawyers, the government shoulders this burden for them to guarantee fairness, he added. The Minister said no exceptional litigation takes place outside the framework of the judiciary power and that everybody could attend the sessions which will be announced, including the trials of those accused in criminal cases. During the meeting, a number of judicial theories and principles were also discussed. Following the meeting, Dr. Al-Issa and ambassador Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz visited the Queen prison and the Reformatory foundation in Britain and the Islamic Cultural Center in London.
