Article 35 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
المادة 35 من نظام التحكيم · الباب الرابع: إجراءات التحكيم
The article allows the tribunal to continue the proceedings and issue an award based on the evidence before it if a party, after being notified, fails to attend or to submit requested documents.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا تخلف أحد الطرفين عن حضور إحدى الجلسات - بعد تبليغه - أو عن تقديم ما طلب منه من مستندات جاز لهيئة التحكيم الاستمرار في إجراءات التحكيم، وإصدار حكم في النزاع استناداً إلى عناصر الإثبات الموجودة أمامها.
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 35 explained in plain English
This article prevents any party from holding up arbitration through absence or refusal to cooperate, and gives the arbitral tribunal the power to proceed with the dispute.
The two cases the article covers:
- One party's failure to attend a hearing after being notified.
- Its failure to submit the documents requested from it.
The effect: The tribunal may continue the arbitration proceedings and issue an award in the dispute based on the evidence before it. The wording "may" means that the tribunal has this option and is not obliged to use it.
Note that for absence from a hearing, the article requires that it be after the party has been notified, so notification is a condition for the tribunal to continue where a party is absent from a hearing. The article is linked to Article 34, under which the tribunal continues the proceedings if the respondent does not submit its written defense. Article 36 allows the tribunal to appoint an expert and requires each party to give the expert the information and documents relating to the dispute.
The practical result is that absence, or failure to submit documents, may lead to an award based solely on what the other party has submitted. A party who cannot attend or submit would do well to contact the tribunal promptly and to consult a lawyer who specializes in arbitration and commercial cases.
Practical example
The arbitral tribunal asked a supply company in Makkah to submit the delivery statements relating to the contract in dispute, and the company did not submit them. In this case the tribunal may continue the proceedings and issue its award based on the evidence before it, including what the other party has submitted.
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 35 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
Can an arbitral award be issued while I am absent?
Yes. If you fail to attend a hearing after being notified, the tribunal may continue and issue an award based on the evidence before it.
What if I do not submit the documents the arbitral tribunal requested?
The tribunal may continue the proceedings and issue its award based on the evidence available to it.
Must a party be notified before the tribunal proceeds in its absence?
Yes. The article provides that the failure to attend the hearing must be after the party has been notified.
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.