Regulatory Alerts2021-03-31
Approving the Requirement for Lawyers to Obtain the Unified Identity Number for Non-Governmental Establishments Beginning with Number 7 Through the Legal Registry
The Saudi Central Bank mandates that all supervised financial institutions, credit information companies, and internal departments require lawyers to obtain the Unified National Number for Non-Governmental Establishments (beginning with 7) through the Legal Establishment Registry. This directive operationalizes a Ministry of Justice circular and Council of Ministers' decision by replacing commercial registration numbers with the new unified identifier for legal professionals. Financial entities must immediately update their compliance procedures to verify this specific registry number when onboarding or servicing lawyers.
Saudi Central Bank
Reference No.: 42058651 Date: 1442/08/18 Attachments: None
Urgent Circular
To the Esteemed,
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
Subject: Approving the Requirement for Lawyers to Obtain the Unified National Number for Non-Governmental Establishments Beginning with (7) Through the Legal Establishment Registry.
I refer to the telegram from His Excellency the Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Lawyers Association, No. (421413698), dated 1442/07/26H, which refers to the Ministry's circular No. (13/T/8407), dated 1442/06/29H (a copy attached), based on the Council of Ministers' decision No. (225), dated 1439/05/06H, stipulating that the Ministry's circular requires lawyers to update their data according to the Unified National Number for Non-Governmental Establishments beginning with (7). His Excellency wishes to direct the financial institutions supervised by the Saudi Central Bank to require lawyers to obtain the Unified National Number through the Legal Establishment Registry. I also refer to SAMA's instructions No. (42017708), dated 1442/03/18H, regarding financial institutions replacing the Unified National Number beginning with (7) in place of the Commercial Registration and licenses for non-governmental establishments.
I hope for your awareness and compliance with the requirement for lawyers to obtain the Unified National Number beginning with (7) through the Legal Establishment Registry.
Please accept my greetings and appreciation,
Fahd bin Ibrahim Al-Shathri Deputy Governor for Supervision
Distribution Scope All financial institutions subject to the supervision and oversight of the Saudi Central Bank. Credit information companies. SAMA departments.