2021-12-13
The Capital Market Authority of Saudi Arabia issued this regulation to establish a comprehensive framework for reporting violations of the Capital Market Law and related exchange regulations. It designates multiple reporting channels, specifies required report contents, and grants financial rewards of up to 20 percent of collected fines to qualifying natural persons who provide original, non-public information. The regulation further mandates internal protection policies for employee whistleblowers, ensures confidentiality of reporting data, and outlines appeal rights and legal support mechanisms.
1 KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA Capital Market Authority REGULATION ON THE REPORTING OF VIOLATIONS OF THE CAPITAL MARKET LAW Issued by the Board of the Capital Market Authority Pursuant to its Resolution Number 2-135-2021 Dated 9/5/1443H Corresponding to 13/12/2021G Based on the Capital Market Law issued by Royal Decree No. M/30 dated 2/6/1424H Arabic is the official language of the Capital Market Authority IMPORTANT NOTICE: The current version of these Regulations, as may be amended, can be found at the Authority’s website: www.cma.org.sa
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Article One: Preamble Article Two: Definitions Article Three: Exemptions Article Four: Right of Appeal Article Five: Reporting Channels Article Six: Requirements when Reporting Article Seven: Conditions for Granting the Reward Article Eight: Determination of the Reward Amount Article Nine: Legal Support Article Ten: Protection Policy for Reporting Individuals Article Eleven: Confidentiality Article Twelve: Reporting by the Individual who Committed or Participated in Committing a Violation Article Thirteen: Reporting an Untrue Incident Article Fourteen: Entry into Force
3 Article One: Preamble The purpose of this Regulation is to regulate the reporting of violations of the Capital Market Law and its implementing regulations, or violations of the regulations of the Exchange, the Depository Center, or the Clearing Center. This includes the determination of financial rewards for those who report such violations, the controls on granting such rewards, and the procedures that contribute to the protection of those who report violations. Article Two: Definitions: a) “Law” means the Capital Market Law issued by the Royal Decree No. M/30 dated 2/6/1424H. b) Without prejudice to sub-section (c) of this Article, terms used in this Regulation shall have the same meaning provided in the Law and in the Glossary of Defined Terms used in the Rules and Regulations of the Capital Market Authority. c) For the implementation of the provisions of this Regulation, and unless the context indicates otherwise, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings herein specified:
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5 2. A clear and comprehensive description of the incident that is the subject of the Report, as well as the evidence, information or documents pertaining to the acts or practices that constitute a violation of any provisions of the Law or its implementing regulations, or of the regulations of the Exchange, the Depository Center, or the Clearing Center. Article Seven: Conditions for Granting the Reward The Authority may grant the Reporting Individual a reward the value of which is determined by up to (20%) of the amount of the fines and financial penalties collected as a result of the reported violations, provided the following conditions are met:
6 Article Eight: Determination of the Reward Amount When determining the Reward amount, and the apportioning of the Reward amount between more than one Reporting Individual if applicable, the following shall be taken into consideration:
7 Article Ten: Protection Policy for Reporting Individuals1 The Exchange, the Clearing Center, the Depository Center, Capital Market Institutions, and listed companies must set an internal policy, to be adopted by their boards of directors or their equivalent, for the protection of Reporting Individuals that are employed by them. Such policy must include, at minimum, a prohibition on taking disciplinary actions against Reporting Individuals employed by them or infringing upon their rights or employment benefits because of Reports submitted by them to the Authority. Article Eleven: Confidentiality The information of the Reporting Individual or any information obtained by the Authority under the provisions of this Regulation is considered confidential. Article Twelve: Reporting by the Individual who Committed or Participated in Committing a Violation The Authority may take into consideration when determining its decision on the reported violation whether the individual who committed or participated in committing the violation has, as an initiative by such individual, submitted a Report on the violation before the Authority is aware of such violation. Article Thirteen: Reporting an Untrue Incident The Authority has the right to take whatever measures it deems appropriate against those who knowingly and in bad faith reported an untrue incident. Article Fourteen: Entry into Force This Regulation shall enter into force upon its publication.
1 In accordance with the Board of the Authority Resolution no. (2-135-2021) Dated 9/5/1443H corresponding to 13/12/2021G, Article (Ten) of this Regulation shall become effective as of 9/8/1444H corresponding to 1/3/2023G.
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