Article 4 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
المادة 4 من نظام التحكيم · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 من الغير في هذا الشأن كل فرد، أو هيئة، أو منظمة، أو مركز للتحكيم في المملكة العربية السعودية، أو في خارجها.
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 4 explained in plain English
In many places the Arbitration Law gives the parties to a dispute the right to choose the procedure to be followed on a particular matter. This article clarifies that this right also includes their right to authorize others to choose this procedure on their behalf.
Who is "others" here? The article provides that it includes:
- Any individual.
- Any body or organization.
- Any arbitration center, whether in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or outside it.
The practical meaning is that the parties need not agree on every procedural detail themselves; they can entrust it to a body they trust. But this authorization is confined to the cases in which the Law permits the parties to choose the procedure, and does not extend to matters in which the Law did not leave the choice to them.
This article is connected with Article 3, which makes the parties' agreement to resort to an organization, a permanent arbitral body or an arbitration center whose seat is outside the Kingdom one of the cases of international arbitration, and with Article 5, which requires applying the provisions of the document to which the parties agree to subject their relationship, so long as they do not contravene Islamic Sharia.
When drafting an arbitration clause that refers to a particular arbitration center, you can seek the help of a lawyer specialized in arbitration and commercial cases.
Practical example
An establishment in Khobar agreed with a supplier that a particular arbitration center in the Kingdom would determine the procedures they may choose in the event of a dispute. If a disagreement arises, the center chooses these procedures on the basis of the parties' authorization, which this article permits.
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 4 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
May we leave it to an arbitration center to choose the procedures for us?
Yes. In the cases in which the Law permits the parties to choose the procedure, they may authorize others to choose it, and arbitration centers are among the others.
Must the arbitration center be inside the Kingdom?
No. The article counts as others any arbitration center in the Kingdom or outside it.
Can we authorize one person rather than an institution?
Yes. The article counts any individual among the others who may be authorized.
More articles on Scope and General Provisions of Arbitration
- Article 1
The article defines three key terms in the Arbitration Law: the arbitration agreement, the arbitral tribunal and the competent court.
تدل العبارات الآتية الواردة في هذا النظام على المعاني الموضحة أمامها، ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك : 1 - اتفاق التحكيم : هو اتفاق بين طرفين أو أكثر على أن يحيلا إ
- Article 2
The article sets the scope of the Arbitration Law and excludes personal status disputes and matters in which conciliation is not permitted.
مع عدم الإخلال بأحكام الشريعة الإسلامية وأحكام الاتفاقيات الدولية التي تكون المملكة طرفاً فيها ؛ تسري أحكام هذا النظام على كل تحكيم، أياً كانت طبيعة العلاقة الن
- Article 3
The article sets out when arbitration is international under the Law, provided its subject is a dispute relating to international trade.
يكون التحكيم دولياً في حكم هذا النظام إذا كان موضوعه نزاعاً يتعلق بالتجارة الدولية، وذلك في الأحوال الآتية: 1 - إذا كان المركز الرئيس لأعمال كل من طرفي التحكيم
- Article 5
The article requires applying the provisions of any document, such as a model contract or international agreement, to which the parties agree to subject their relationship, so long as it does not contravene Islamic Sharia.
إذا اتفق طرفا التحكيم على إخضاع العلاقة بينهما لأحكام أي وثيقة (عقد نموذجي، أو اتفاقية دولية أو غيرهما)، وجب العمل بأحكام هذه الوثيقة بما تشمله من أحكام خاصة با
- 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
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.