Article 29 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
المادة 29 من نظام التحكيم · الباب الرابع: إجراءات التحكيم
The article makes Arabic the language of arbitration unless the tribunal decides or the parties agree on another, and lets the tribunal require translations of submitted documents.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجرى التحكيم باللغة العربية ما لم تقرر هيئة التحكيم أو يتفق طرفا التحكيم على لغة أو لغات أخرى، ويسري حكم الاتفاق أو القرار على لغة البيانات والمذكرات المكتوبة، والمرافعات الشفهية، وكذلك على كل قرار تتخذه هيئة التحكيم، أو رسالة توجهها، أو حكم تصدره، ما لم ينص اتفاق الطرفين أو قرار هيئة التحكيم على غير ذلك.
2- لهيئة التحكيم أن تقرر أن يرافق كل الوثائق المكتوبة أو بعضها التي تقدم في الدعوى ترجمة إلى اللغة أو اللغات المستعملة في التحكيم. وفي حالة تعدد هذه اللغات يجوز للهيئة قصر الترجمة على بعضها.
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 29 explained in plain English
This article governs the language of arbitration.
Paragraph (1) – the language used:
- The default is that arbitration is conducted in Arabic.
- It may be conducted in another language or languages if the arbitral tribunal so decides or the parties so agree.
- The agreement or decision applies to the language of written statements and memoranda, oral pleadings, and every decision the tribunal makes, letter it sends or award it issues, unless the parties' agreement or the tribunal's decision provides otherwise.
Paragraph (2) – translation:
- The arbitral tribunal may decide that written documents submitted in the case, in whole or in part, must be accompanied by a translation into the language or languages of the arbitration.
- If there are several languages of arbitration, the tribunal may limit the translation to some of them.
What does this mean in practice? In contracts with foreign parties, the parties may want to arbitrate in English, for example. This should be stated in the arbitration agreement; otherwise the default is Arabic unless the tribunal decides differently. You should also be prepared for the tribunal possibly asking for the submitted documents to be translated.
The article follows Article 28, which governs the place of arbitration, and is followed by Article 30, which sets out what the written statement of claim and statement of defense must contain.
When drafting an arbitration agreement with a foreign party, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in arbitration and commercial cases.
Practical example
A Saudi company entered into a contract with a German company, and they agreed that arbitration would be in English. Memoranda are therefore submitted, pleadings are held and the award is issued in English, unless the agreement or the tribunal's decision provides otherwise. If the Saudi company submits contracts written in Arabic, the tribunal may decide that they must be accompanied by an English translation.
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 29 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
Does arbitration in Saudi Arabia have to be in Arabic?
The default is that arbitration is conducted in Arabic, unless the arbitral tribunal decides, or the parties agree, on another language or languages.
Can translation of documents be required in arbitration?
The arbitral tribunal may decide that the written documents submitted, in whole or in part, must be accompanied by a translation into the language or languages of the arbitration.
In what language is the arbitral award issued?
The parties' agreement or the tribunal's decision on language applies to every award the tribunal issues, unless the agreement or decision provides 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.