Riyadh (Web Desk): Saudi courts are now required to inform women of changes to their personal status following a divorce or a marriage by sending them confirmation messages on their mobiles, Gulf news reported.
The decision was taken by the justice minister after several courts reported serious cases resulting from husbands not informing their wives they had divorced them.
In such an instance, a woman filed a legal case against her former husband who divorced her without telling her, but continued to have relations with her, which amounted to a sinful situation.
Under the ministerial decision to be applied starting Sunday, family status courts are required to inform women that a divorce case has been filed against them. Details of the divorce will be available on the website of the justice ministry and can be accessed only by the divorced woman.
According to Saudi daily Okaz, the message will not include the word “divorce” to alleviate possible shocks for wives who did not expect such a move by their husbands against them, especially that women do not have to be present as the divorce is pronounced.
The message will instead be: “To the holder of national identity number …, we hereby inform you that Decision number … has been issued by (name of the court) on (date), and you may contact the court to obtain a copy.”
To the holder of national identity number …, we hereby inform you that Decision number … has been issued by (name of the court) on (date), and you may contact the court to obtain a copy.