Saudi divorce law: ‘House of obedience’ no longer enforced

The Ministry of Justice in Saudi Arabia has halted the issuance of verdicts that force the wife to return to her husband's home. All cases under the bracket "house of obedience" has been cancelled, as reported in Okaz. 

The ministry had followed article 75 of the executive regulations stipulating that "verdicts delivered regarding forcing the woman to the 'house of obedience' are null and void".

Following the move, a woman who refuses to return to her husband's home can either be divorced or lawfully separated from her spouse.