Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations

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Decoupling Decentralisation from Democracy
(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alharbi, Faisal; Pritchard, Huw
This dissertation asks a straightforward question: To what extent does Western academic discourse associate decentralisation with democracy, and how does the historical and contemporary application of decentralisation within Islamic governance contexts challenge this association? I argue that decentralisation is not an ideology but a neutral way of organising authority—one that can exist in many political settings. The first part of the study reads key texts with three approaches. First, it examines definitions and shows how democratic features are often included in what should be a general concept. Second, it looks at the narratives constructed by scholars—about context, motives, and origins—and finds that specific Western experiences are often presented as universal. Third, it highlights places where authors and institutions say, explicitly, that “real” decentralisation requires democratisation. Together, these threads reveal a tendency rather than a consensus, but the pattern matters: when democracy is built into the definition, non-democratic examples are ruled out from the start. The second part offers a counter-view by tracing forms of decentralisation in Islamic governance—starting from the Constitution of Medina, through the Rashidun and Umayyad periods, to Abbasid administrative delegation, and modern Saudi arrangements. These examples show that decentralisation can and does operate outside the Western-democratic frame. The conclusion is practical as well as conceptual: if we keep decentralisation definitionally neutral—“a transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions”—we recover its universality and avoid generalising contextual experiences.
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Between a Chat and a Hard Place: Technical Compliance Measures and Intermediary Liability in End-to-End Encrypted Messaging Platforms under the Online Safety Act
(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) AlEid, Haneen; Lachlan, Urqhart
This study investigates the complex interplay between content moderation, platform liability, and end-to-end encryption (E2EE) within the legal context of the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act 2023. It critically assesses how the Act approaches intermediary liability for E2EE-enabled platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, with particular attention to the feasibility, effectiveness, and proportionality of proposed technical measures for moderating encrypted communications. The research further explores the evolving regulatory mandate of Ofcom and identifies pathways to reconcile public safety objectives with the safeguarding of user privacy. By integrating legal analysis with a technical understanding of encryption and platform architecture, the study seeks to advance a rights-respecting and technically grounded model of platform accountability. It argues that aligning regulatory frameworks with realistic technological capabilities is not only essential for effective governance but also vital for maintaining public trust in digital communication systems.
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A comparative analysis of corporate governance frameworks’ roles in integrating ESG into mergers and acquisitions in the UK and the US, and how they enable or hinder its integration in mergers and acquisitions.
(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Jan, Jumanah; Clare, Patton
This research examines the role of corporate governance frameworks in the UK and the US in enabling or hindering the integration of ESG in mergers and acquisitions. As ESG has become increasingly significant to transactional outcomes, yet a gap persists in comprehending whether governance integrates as an essential component or permits it to remain optional. This research examines this deficiency through a comparative legal analysis of the framework of the United Kingdom and the United States. This research implements a doctrinal and comparative methodology to examine legislation, soft-law instruments, and case law in both jurisdictions, supported by academic and empirical evidence. The analysis compares the UK’s principled approach, whilst assessing section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, and the US’s prescriptive approach embedded in Delaware’s fiduciary duties. The findings reveal that the UK framework is designed to grant flexibility but is obstructed by inadequate enforcement. In contrast, the US framework provides assurance yet is constrained by its focus on shareholder primacy. Consequently, neither framework completely embeds ESG into M&A, hence its integration is dependent on the board's commitment, investor pressure, and market conditions. This dissertation suggests that corporate governance functions as both a promoter and a hindrance to ESG in M&A, highlighting the necessity for more uniform guidelines, ESG metrics, and to reconcile the disparity between ESG’s theoretical significance and its inconsistent practical application.
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Governance, Policy, Ethics, Law, and Risk Management in IT and Cybersecurity
(Saudi Digital Library, 2024) Alharbi, Asia; Tuffley, David
This paper delves into the diverse and evolving fields of IT and cybersecurity governance, ethics, and law, focusing on their essential role in managing digital risks and promoting the responsible use of technology. It discusses major frameworks such as COBIT 2019 and ITIL 4, which help align IT operations with business objectives and strengthen organizational performance. The study further explores approaches to ethical hacking, incident handling, and responding to data breaches, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and accountability. In addition, it examines pressing ethical issues related to artificial intelligence, open-source development, and telemedicine, as well as challenges surrounding cyber risk management, insurance, and data privacy in remote work environments. By connecting these aspects, the paper underscores how strong ethical governance and compliance systems build trust, ensure accountability, and enhance resilience within organizations. In conclusion, it argues that achieving sustainable digital transformation requires a thoughtful balance between technological advancement, legal adherence, and moral responsibility.
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Balancing Profit and Ethics: The Impact of Human Rights Due Diligence Laws on International Business Operations
(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alatawi, Baseel; Qingxiu, Bu
Supply chains have taken centre stage in the discussions on corporate accountability, sustainability, and protection of human rights across the world. Due to a series of alleged labour rights abuses, environmental destruction and systemic failures in governance, jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Union, have been responding with the creation of legislative tools to reinforce corporate due diligence and align business practices with international sustainability criteria, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the French Duty of Vigilance Law, the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, and a proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). This article will look at the transformation, scope, and effectiveness of compulsory human rights and environmental due diligence frameworks in various jurisdictions. It will help to assess the effect on corporate governance, supply chain transparency, and accountability, and find the major challenges and opportunities to harmonise at the transnational level. Qualitative research design has been used, and it is based on the doctrinal analysis of law, critical comparison of statutes, case law, and secondary literature, and even comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks among jurisdictions. Articles in academic journals, legal commentary, policy papers, and official legislative documents were reviewed systematically to determine the trends in compliance, enforcement, and governing outcomes. Results indicate an increased overlap in legislative initiatives to introduce human rights and environmental due diligence into corporate practice, albeit with wide differences in application and implementation across regulations. The French Duty of Vigilance and the German LkSG are strict examples of corporate responsibility, and the UK Modern Slavery Act has been accused of laxity in enforcement. The future CSDDD is expected to offer a more harmonised approach at the EU level; however, its extraterritorial scope and balancing of the competitiveness of businesses with human-protecting rights measures are still disputed. All in all, companies are feeling the pressure of heightened compliance, and the evidence is mixed on whether this has led to substantive improvements for the workers and communities affected. The introduction of mandatory due diligence laws has changed the paradigm of voluntary corporate social responsibility to a mandatory requirement of the law. Although these frameworks have improved the global management of business and human rights, there are still problems with how to make these systems effective, eliminate the ritualistic nature of compliance, and deal with the power asymmetry of global supply chains. It is concluded in the study that there is a need to further harmonise the legislative measures and enforce them in a robust manner, and incorporate worker-led practices in ensuring legislative reforms yield significant protection of human and environmental rights.
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Protection of Journalists in Areas of Armed Conflicts and Wars Under Principles of International Law
(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alanazi, Amal.D; Grena, Eileen
Reporting on armed conflicts and the violent situations has become more increasingly dangerous, with many journalists and media professionals being killed or deliberately targeted due to their work. These threats come from both government forces and Non-State Actors (NSAs), raising concerns about sufficiency and enforcement of existing international legal protections. The classification of a violent situation under international law significantly impacts the legal status and treatment of journalists, whether they are war correspondents, embedded reporters, or independent media professionals. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) provides protection for journalists during armed conflicts, whether these conflicts are international or non-international. This differs from peacetime, during which journalists are safeguarded under International Human Rights Law (IHRL). Various international conventions, including ICCPR, outline human rights protection mechanisms for journalists. While, IHL establishes specific protections for journalists through treaties such as the “Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, the Geneva Convention of 1929 (GC 1929), the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949, and the Additional Protocols of 1977 (AP-I &AP-II)”. IHL classifies journalists into two categories. The first category includes war correspondents, who are officially accredited by armed forces. Their status is defined under the “1949 Geneva Conventions”. The second category consists of journalists engaged in dangerous professional tasks during armed conflicts, as recognized in “Article 79 of the First Additional Protocol of 1977”, which applies to international armed conflict zones. In event of capture, war correspondents are granted prisoner-of-war status under Third GC of 1949. The journalists who 10 undertake dangerous tasks in conflict zones are legally recognized as “civilians under Article 79 of AP-I”, ensuring their protection under international law. This dissertation investigates whether the existing international framework adequately safeguards journalists and media personnel reporting from armed conflict zones. The analysis encompasses current legal provisions under IHL, along with recommendations from international, regional, and non-governmental organizations. A key objective is to assess whether violence against journalists should be classified as war crimes or crimes against humanity, granting the ICC automatic jurisdiction in cases where national courts fail or refuse to prosecute such offenses. In addition, this research aims to propose measures to strengthen protection of journalists and media professionals in conflict zones. Findings indicate that current international legislative framework for journalists in war zones are inadequate, with little to no commitment from states to address this gap. Relying solely on IHRL and IHL to protect journalists—who play a vital role in upholding democracy and rule of law, particularly in Western democracies—has proven ineffective. It is imperative that states act swiftly to establish a dedicated treaty ensuring protection of journalists and media workers in conflict areas. UNGA should direct UNILC, under Article 13(1) of the UN Charter, to begin an urgent study on the development of international legal protections for journalists and media professionals in conflict zones. Findings of “International Law Commission Draft Articles on the Protection of Journalists and Media” should be formally adopted by United Nations, ultimately leading to a new international convention aimed at safeguarding journalists and media personnel covering armed conflicts
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Digitisting of the justice system: Role of AI and potential challenges
(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) ALMUTAIRI, KHALID; Townend, Judith
Digitisation of the justice system relates to optimising technology for justice system. This would involve technologies being used to enhance efficiency of the justice system. The benefits of using technologies in the justice system include reduction of legal costs, higher accessibility to litigants, the potential for litigants to access the digital justice system from any location, and making decision-making asynchronous. The proposed research seeks to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence in the digitising project and whether this poses specific challenges and problems for the justice system and its stakeholders
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Artificial Intelligence Systems: Exploring AI Systems’ Patentability in The United Kingdom And The European Patent Office
(University of Liverpool, 2024) Alarawi, Khalid; Jacques, Sabine
The topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a common interest for the public and corporations on a global level. Through a legal analysis of case law between the United Kingdom and the European Patent Office (EPO), this paper will argue that while AI systems are indeed patentable in both the United Kingdom and the EPO and that despite the differences, the result of patenting AI is likely to be the same across both jurisdictions, there still needs to be further clarification in regards to different AI systems. Given that they are addressed as a hybrid between computer programs and mathematical methods, there needs to be deeper exploration towards AI system patentability across different types, and different technical applications.
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The role of the International Court of Justice and international counsel as agents in the development of international law: A sociological perspective.
(Kings College London, 2024-09-02) Alotaibi, Khalid Turki; Ridi, Niccolò
Whereas the 19th century was characterized by the proliferation of international conventions and organisations such as the ICJ given increased State relations, legal positivism was prioritized over founding or viewing international law from a sociological perspective in light of an apparent urgency to establish international peace and security through the construction of international law and human rights frameworks. It is this relegation of the sociological perspective of international law that this research is concerned with as it seeks to interrogate form a sociological perspective, the role, scope and effect of ICJ decisions as well as the participation of international legal counsel in the development of international law. This is premised on the fact that judges of the ICJ through advisory opinions as well as international counsel, constitute an integral social entity through which the sum of its parts works to influence the development and/or creation of international law. The underlying objectives of this research include: an analysis of the statutory duty of the ICJ to interpret and apply international law within the confines of article 38 of the ICJ Statute; a critical analysis that focuses on the conduct of the ICJ to exceed the statutory parameters set by article 38 of the ICJ Statute by developing and creating international law; an analysis of scholarly perspectives on the development and creation of international law by the ICJ; and an analysis of scholarly perspectives on the role of international legal counsel in developing international law at the ICJ. In seeking to explore these objectives, this research identified that Judges of the ICJ, international counsel and agents fill a critical space within the structural-functional perspective of sociology which emphasises the collective role of social entities to achieve social order and social integration. This research concludes that a sociological appreciation of the role of ICJ and international counsel on the development of international law finds its place within a structural-functional perspective that prioritizes the role and effect brought about by the sum of individual social entities in a society as compared to viewing social entities in isolation.
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The latest trends in money laundering techniques and how law enforcement agencies can stay ahead of the curve
(City, University of London, 2023) Bahdilah, Nawaf; Hungerford-Welch, Peter
Money laundering masks the illicit origins of funds, allowing offenders to present 'dirty' money as genuine and usable, obscuring its connection to criminal deeds.1 It is a well-known process typically involving three stages - placement, layering, and integration. Given the familiarity with money laundering techniques, this dissertation will not provide an in-depth definition but will focus on evaluating the latest trends and legislative responses. Money laundering methods are constantly evolving, especially with recent technological innovations in financial services.2 This evolution enables criminals to circumvent anti-money laundering (AML) systems. Consequently, law enforcement agencies need help to detect money laundering and identify appropriate policy responses. There is concern that current AML legislation needs to be updated and able to address new techniques.3 Therefore, research is required to analyse gaps in existing policies and propose reforms to enhance the efficacy of AML regimes.
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