Article 28 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
المادة 28 من نظام التحكيم · الباب الرابع: إجراءات التحكيم
The article leaves the place of arbitration to the parties' agreement, in the Kingdom or abroad; failing that, the tribunal sets it, and it may meet anywhere suitable for certain tasks.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لطرفي التحكيم الاتفاق على مكان التحكيم في المملكة أو خارجها، فإذا لم يوجد اتفاق عينت هيئة التحكيم مكان التحكيم مع مراعاة ظروف الدعوى، وملاءمة المكان لطرفيها، ولا يخل ذلك بسلطة هيئة التحكيم في أن تجتمع في أي مكان تراه مناسبا للمداولة بين أعضائها، ولسماع أقوال الشهود، أو الخبراء، أو طرفي النزاع، أو لمعاينة محل النزاع، أو لفحص المستندات، أو الاطلاع عليها.
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 28 explained in plain English
This article governs the place of arbitration.
First: agreement comes first
The parties to arbitration may agree on the place of arbitration, whether in the Kingdom or abroad.
Second: where there is no agreement
The arbitral tribunal sets the place of arbitration, taking two things into account:
- The circumstances of the case.
- How suitable the place is for the parties.
Third: meeting in other places
Fixing the place of arbitration does not affect the tribunal's authority to meet anywhere it considers appropriate in order to:
- Deliberate among its members.
- Hear the statements of witnesses, experts or the parties to the dispute.
- Inspect the subject of the dispute.
- Examine or review documents.
This means that the agreed or designated place of arbitration does not oblige the tribunal to hold all of its meetings there; for example, it may travel to inspect a project site.
The article follows Article 27, which requires equal treatment of the parties and an equal opportunity for each of them. It is followed by Article 29, which makes Arabic the language of arbitration unless the tribunal decides, or the parties agree, on another language.
To choose the right place of arbitration for your contract, you can consult a lawyer who specializes in arbitration and commercial cases.
Practical example
A company in Riyadh and a contractor agreed that the place of arbitration would be Riyadh. A dispute arose over defects in a building in Abha, so the arbitral tribunal decided to travel to Abha to inspect the building. This is permitted under the article, because the tribunal may meet anywhere it considers appropriate to inspect the subject of the dispute.
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 28 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
Can the place of arbitration be outside the Kingdom?
Yes. The parties to arbitration may agree on the place of arbitration in the Kingdom or abroad.
Who decides the place of arbitration if we do not agree on it?
The arbitral tribunal sets it, taking into account the circumstances of the case and how suitable the place is for the parties.
Can the arbitral tribunal hold a session outside the place of arbitration?
Yes. It may meet anywhere it considers appropriate to deliberate, to hear witnesses, experts or the parties, to inspect the subject of the dispute, or to examine documents.
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.