Article 27 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
المادة 27 من نظام التحكيم · الباب الرابع: إجراءات التحكيم
The article requires the parties to arbitration to be treated equally and each to be given a full and equal opportunity to present his case or defense.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعامل طرفا التحكيم على قدم المساواة، وتهيأ لكل منهما الفرصة الكاملة والمتكافئة لعرض دعواه أو دفاعه.
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 27 explained in plain English
This article sets two basic principles that must govern the whole conduct of the arbitration:
- Equality: the parties to arbitration are treated equally, so neither is favored over the other.
- A full and equal opportunity: each party is given a full and equal opportunity to present his case or defense.
What does this mean in practice?
- If one party is given an opportunity to submit a memorandum or document, the other party should be given an equal opportunity.
- No party should be deprived of presenting his case or defense fully.
- This principle binds the arbitral tribunal as it manages the proceedings, whether the parties chose the procedures or left choosing them to the tribunal.
The article comes after Article 26, which sets the start of arbitration proceedings as the day one of the parties receives the arbitration request from the other. It is followed by Article 28, which regulates the place of arbitration, leaving it to the parties' agreement, failing which the tribunal fixes it having regard to the circumstances of the case and the suitability of the place for its parties.
The text itself does not state what follows from violating this principle; if you feel you were deprived of an opportunity to present your case or defense, consult a lawyer specialized in arbitration and commercial cases to learn your options.
Practical example
In an arbitration between two companies in Jeddah, the arbitral tribunal allowed one of them to submit a new expert report. In application of this article, the other company should be given an equal opportunity to respond to it, because each party has the right to a full and equal opportunity to present his defense.
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 27 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
Do I have the right to respond to what the other party submits in the arbitration?
The article requires that each party be given a full and equal opportunity to present his case or defense.
May the arbitral tribunal favor one of the parties?
No. The article requires treating the parties to arbitration equally.
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.