Article 49 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
المادة 49 من نظام التحكيم · الباب السادس: بطلان حكم التحكيم
The article bars challenging arbitral awards issued under the Law by any means of challenge, except by bringing an action to annul the award in accordance with the Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تقبل أحكام التحكيم التي تصدر طبقا لأحكام هذا النظام الطعن فيها بأي طريق من طرق الطعن، عدا رفع دعوى بطلان حكم التحكيم وفقا للأحكام المبينة في هذا النظام.
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 49 explained in plain English
One of the most important features of arbitration is that its award does not pass through the usual stages of litigation. This article states that rule clearly.
The rule: Arbitral awards issued in accordance with the provisions of the Arbitration Law are not open to challenge by any means of challenge.
The only exception: Bringing an action to annul the arbitral award in accordance with the provisions set out in the Law.
An action for nullity is not an appeal that re-examines the dispute; it is limited to specific cases set out in Article 50, including the absence or invalidity of an arbitration agreement, a party's being unable to present its defense because it was not properly notified, and the award's deciding matters not covered by the arbitration agreement. Paragraph 4 of Article 50 also provides that the competent court hears the action for nullity without having the power to examine the facts and subject of the dispute.
Article 48 governs something different: a request for an additional arbitral award on requests submitted during the proceedings that the award omitted, within 30 days of receiving it.
The practical result is that a party against whom an arbitral award has been issued cannot object to it merely because it is unconvinced by the outcome; it must check whether its case falls within the specific grounds for nullity. To assess this, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in arbitration and commercial cases.
Practical example
An arbitral award was issued against a contracting company in Riyadh in favor of the project owner, and the company wanted to appeal it because it believes the tribunal's assessment of compensation is exaggerated. Under this article the award is not open to challenge by any means, and the only route is an action for nullity if one of the cases specified in the Law is present.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentA question about Article 49 of Arbitration Law?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
شركة امتداد النظام للمحاماة والاستشارات المهنية
- Labour & Employment Law
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Law
- Commercial & Corporate Law
Frequently asked questions about Article 49 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
Can an arbitral award be appealed in Saudi Arabia?
No. Arbitral awards issued in accordance with the Law are not open to challenge by any means of challenge, except by bringing an action to annul the arbitral award.
How do I object to an arbitral award?
The only route the article provides is bringing an action to annul the arbitral award in accordance with the provisions set out in the Law.
Does the court re-examine the subject of the dispute in an action for nullity?
No. Paragraph 4 of Article 50 provides that the competent court hears the action for nullity without having the power to examine the facts and subject of the dispute.
More articles on Setting Aside an Arbitral Award
- Article 8
The article gives jurisdiction over an action to annul an arbitral award, and other matters the Law refers to the competent court, to the court of appeal that would originally hear the dispute, and in Riyadh for international commercial arbitration.
1- يكون الاختصاص بنظر دعوى بطلان حكم التحكيم والمسائل التي يحيلها هذا النظام للمحكمة المختصة معقوداً لمحكمة الاستئناف المختصة أصلاً بنظر النزاع. 2 - إذا كان الت
- Article 50Amended by M/21
The article exhaustively lists the grounds on which an action to annul an arbitral award is accepted, what the competent court rules of its own motion, and the limits of its review.
1- لا تقبل دعوى بطلان حكم التحكيم إلا في الأحوال الآتية: أ - إذا لم يوجد اتفاق تحكيم أو كان هذا الاتفاق باطلاً، أو قابلاً للإبطال، أو سقط بانتهاء مدته. ب- إذا ك
- Article 51
The article sets the period for an action to annul an arbitral award at 60 days from notification of the award, and the effect and challengeability of the court's judgment, whether upholding or annulling the award.
1- ترفع دعوى بطلان حكم التحكيم من أي من طرفيه خلال الستين يوماً التالية لتاريخ إبلاغ ذلك الطرف بالحكم. ولا يحول تنازل مدعي البطلان عن حقه في رفعها قبل صدور حكم
- Article 54
The article provides that bringing an action for nullity does not suspend enforcement of the arbitral award, lets the competent court suspend it under conditions, and sets periods for deciding the request and the action.
لا يترتب على رفع دعوى البطلان وقف تنفيذ حكم التحكيم. ومع ذلك يجوز للمحكمة المختصة أن تأمر بوقف التنفيذ إذا طلب مدعي البطلان ذلك في صحيفة الدعوى، وكان الطلب مبني
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.