Article 26 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
المادة 26 من نظام التحكيم · الباب الرابع: إجراءات التحكيم
The article sets the start of arbitration proceedings as the day one party receives the arbitration request from the other, unless the parties agree otherwise.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تبدأ إجراءات التحكيم من اليوم الذي يتسلم فيه أحد طرفي التحكيم طلب التحكيم من الطرف الآخر، ما لم يتفق طرفا التحكيم على غير ذلك.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 26 explained in plain English
This article answers an important question: when does arbitration formally begin?
The rule: the arbitration proceedings begin from the day on which one of the parties to arbitration receives the arbitration request from the other party. What counts is the date of receipt, not the date the request was written or sent.
The exception: the parties to arbitration may agree otherwise, for example by fixing another moment for the proceedings to begin.
Why does the start date matter?
- Because it is the starting point on which the conduct of the proceedings is built.
- And because proof of the date of receipt may be disputed, so it is advisable to send the request in a way whose receipt can be proved.
Practical advice: keep what proves the date the other party received the arbitration request, such as a receipt or proof of delivery by the means agreed in the contract.
This article comes after Article 25, which gives the parties the right to agree on arbitration procedures and lets the tribunal choose suitable procedures absent agreement. It is followed by Article 27, which requires treating the parties equally and giving each of them a full and equal opportunity to present his case or defense.
Before sending an arbitration request, you can consult a lawyer specialized in arbitration and commercial cases to be sure of its wording and how it is sent.
Practical example
An establishment in Riyadh sent an arbitration request to a supply company on the 1st of the month, and the company received it on the 5th of the same month, with no different agreement between the parties. Under this article, the arbitration proceedings begin on the 5th, the day of receipt.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 26 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
When does arbitration formally begin?
From the day one of the parties receives the arbitration request from the other, unless the parties agree otherwise.
May we agree on a different date for the arbitration to begin?
Yes. The article allows the parties to arbitration to agree otherwise.
More articles on Arbitration Procedures
- Article 4
The article allows the parties, where they may choose a procedure, to authorize others, such as an individual or an arbitration center, to choose it.
في الأحوال التي يجيز فيها هذا النظام لطرفي التحكيم اختيار الإجراء الواجب الاتباع في مسألة معينة، فإن ذلك يضمن حقهما في الترخيص للغير في اختيار هذا الإجراء، ويعد
- Article 6
The article regulates how notices between the parties to arbitration are delivered when they have no special agreement, and excludes judicial notices concerning annulment of an arbitral award.
1 - إذا لم يكن هناك اتفاق خاص بين طرفي التحكيم في شأن الإبلاغات فيتم تسليم الإبلاغ إلى المرسل إليه شخصيًّا - أو من ينوب عنه - أو إرساله إلى عنوانه البريدي المحد
- Article 7
The article treats a party's continuing with arbitration while aware of a violation, without objecting within the agreed time or within 30 days, as a waiver of his right to object.
إذا استمر أحد طرفي التحكيم في إجراءات التحكيم ـ مع علمه بوقوع مخالفة لحكم من أحكام هذا النظام مما يجوز الاتفاق على مخالفته أو لشرط في اتفاق التحكيم ـ ولم يقدم ا
- Article 22
The article allows the competent court to order interim or precautionary measures and judicial delegation, and lets the arbitral tribunal ask the relevant body to help with the arbitration proceedings.
1- للمحكمة المختصة أن تأمر باتخاذ تدابير مؤقتة أو تحفظية بناءً على طلب أحد طرفي التحكيم قبل البدء في إجراءات التحكيم أو بناءً على طلب هيئة التحكيم أثناء سير إجر
- Article 23
The article allows the parties to agree to let the arbitral tribunal order interim or precautionary measures, with a possible financial guarantee, and regulates what happens if an order is not complied with.
1- يجوز لطرفي التحكيم الاتفاق على أن يكون لهيئة التحكيم - بناءً على طلب أحدهما - أن تأمر أيًّا منهما باتخاذ ما تراه من تدابير مؤقتة أو تحفظية تقتضيها طبيعة النز
- Article 25
The article gives the parties to arbitration the right to agree on its procedures, including the rules of any arbitration center, failing which the arbitral tribunal chooses suitable procedures.
1- لطرفي التحكيم الاتفاق على الإجراءات التي تتبعها هيئة التحكيم، بما في ذلك حقهما في إخضاع هذه الإجراءات للقواعد النافذة في أي منظمة، أو هيئة، أو مركز تحكيم في
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.