Riyadh – Mubasher: Saudi women have allowed obtaining notarisation licences for the first time to work in the justice ministry's private notary departments.

This step is part of the Saudi social reforms, which included lifting a decades-old ban on women driving in June.

With 12 granted permission to begin working in the profession, Saudi women can now issue and cancel powers of attorney and certify documents to help establish companies or transfer property rights, French news agency AFP reported, citing the justice ministry as saying.

 “Under a strict guardianship system they still require permission from their closest male relative on basic decisions like enrolling in classes, renewing their passport, or undergoing some medical procedures,” the French news agency said.