Article 34 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
المادة 34 من نظام التحكيم · الباب الرابع: إجراءات التحكيم
The article sets the effect of the claimant failing to submit its statement of claim without an acceptable excuse (the proceedings end) and of the respondent not replying (they continue), unless the parties agree otherwise.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا لم يقدم المدعي ـ دون عذر مقبول ـ بياناً مكتوباً بدعواه وفقا للفقرة (1) من المادة (الثلاثين) من هذا النظام، وجب على هيئة التحكيم إنهاء إجراءات التحكيم، ما لم يتفق طرفا التحكيم على غير ذلك.
2- إذا لم يقدم المدعى عليه جواباً مكتوباً بدفاعه وفقاً للفقرة (2) من المادة (الثلاثين) من هذا النظام، وجب على هيئة التحكيم الاستمرار في إجراءات التحكيم 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 34 explained in plain English
This article deals with two cases in which one party is late in submitting what is required of it at the start of arbitration under Article 30, and it distinguishes between them in effect:
- If the claimant does not submit its written statement of claim under paragraph 1 of Article 30, without an acceptable excuse: the arbitral tribunal must terminate the arbitration proceedings, unless the parties agree otherwise.
- If the respondent does not submit its written statement of defense under paragraph 2 of Article 30: the tribunal must continue the proceedings, unless the parties agree otherwise.
The idea is that the claimant is the party making the request, so if it does not submit its statement of claim without an acceptable excuse, there is nothing left for the tribunal to examine. The respondent's silence, however, does not stop the arbitration, so it cannot hold it up simply by declining to reply. Note that the requirement of an acceptable excuse appears only in the claimant's case.
This article complements what Article 35 provides, namely that the tribunal may continue the proceedings and issue an award based on the evidence before it if a party, after being notified, fails to attend a hearing or to submit documents requested from it. Article 33 also provides that the tribunal may hold pleading hearings or rely on written memoranda.
The article does not specify what counts as an acceptable excuse. A respondent in arbitration is better off submitting its defense on time, and may consult a lawyer who specializes in arbitration and commercial cases.
Practical example
The owner of a factory in Qassim received notice that one of his customers had begun arbitration against him, and he did not send a written statement of defense by the deadline. Under this article, the arbitration does not stop because of that; the arbitral tribunal continues the proceedings, unless the parties had agreed otherwise.
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 34 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
What happens if the claimant does not submit its statement of claim in arbitration?
If it does not submit it without an acceptable excuse, the arbitral tribunal must terminate the arbitration proceedings, unless the parties agree otherwise.
Does arbitration stop if the respondent does not reply?
No. The tribunal must continue the proceedings if the respondent does not submit its written defense, unless the parties agree otherwise.
Can the parties agree on a different rule?
Yes. Both cases are qualified by the phrase "unless the parties agree otherwise."
Articles this article refers to
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.