What is open data?

Open data is the data which any individual can use freely without technical, financial or legal restriction, also re-use it and publish it while considering the law license that enabled publishing this data through the national portal for open data.

The ministry of justice has provided open data for all visitors through an open library, in order to enhance transparency and encourage electronic sharing. The ministry shared this data with clients through the national portal for open data.

Open data policies:

-The provisions of this policy apply to all open data and unprotected public information produced by the ministry

- The purpose of this policy is to establish the most important regulatory controls for sharing open data with the public. Open data is considered a subset of public information.

-This policy is applied to open data shared with entities inside and outside the ministry with the purpose of publishing the work and services of judicial entities. It is also meant to raise legal awareness. It consists of the following:

- Judicial indicators with different categories (property, judicial, notarization, client services, development of regulations and international cooperation, human resources development).

-         Monthly data report

-         Annual statistical book

-         Judicial Journal

-         Rulings and precedents

Users are able to obtain data by sending an open data request.

Usage terms:

- A reference must be made to the MoJ when the data is used in order to protect the ministry's intellectual property

- When using the MoJ data, the information must not be changed or altered

- The data must not be used for political or discriminatory purposes against certain groups, religions, or races, or to support any illegal activity.

Data users' responsibility:

- MoJ data users have the right to use the data for research while maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the data

-The published study results must not have any errors related to the accuracy of the obtained data

- The MoJ welcomes sharing a copy of the study results with the office of data management and privacy, aiming to enhance the justice system.

The MoJ responsibility:

- The ministry of justice disclaims responsibility for any damage or loss inflicted on users of its data published by individuals and entities.

-The published data might change or gets removed due to regular updates. The ministry cannot guarantee the continuous availability of this data.

Requirements for open data publishing:

- The approval of open data and information administrator

Primary principles for open data

- Data availability by default: The availability of the ministry's general data to the public by publishing it, enabling the access and use of it, unless the nature of the data requires not making it available due to privacy protection.

- Open source and automated reading: The data is made available for automated reading (XLS, CSV, XML, JSON)

- Data update: the published data sets are the most up-to-date ones

- Inclusiveness: The open data sets shall be inclusive and includes the most possible details. They must reflect the open data protection policy

-         Non-discrimination: The data must be available for everyone without discrimination.

-         Free of charge: Open data is available to all free of charge

-         Open data license in the Kingdom:  Open data must have the necessary license that determines the systematic bases and conditions for using that data.
-Developing the governance model and engaging everyone: The open data enables everyone's access and participation in order to enhance transparency. It helps support decision making and provision of services.

-Comprehensive development and innovation: Reuse of data must be supported through work with other entities in order to support future innovators in the field of open data.

To contact the privacy and data team: DATA-SEC@moj.gov.sa

Relevant legislation