Article 52 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
المادة 52 من نظام التحكيم · الباب السابع: حجية أحكام المحكمين وتنفيذها
The article provides that an arbitral award issued under the Law has the force of res judicata and is enforceable, subject to the provisions of the Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة الأحكام المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، يحوز حكم التحكيم الصادر طبقاً لهذا النظام حجية الأمر المقضي به، ويكون واجب النفاذ.
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 52 explained in plain English
This article answers a question many people ask: is an arbitral award binding like a court judgment?
The article gives an arbitral award issued in accordance with this Law two effects:
- The force of res judicata: that is, what the award decided is treated as settled between the parties.
- Enforceability: that is, it is an award capable of being enforced.
But the article qualifies this with the phrase "subject to the provisions set out in this Law." Among these provisions is what Article 53 provides, namely that the competent court or whoever it delegates issues an order to enforce the arbitrators' award, and that the enforcement request is submitted with the original award or a certified copy of it, a true copy of the arbitration agreement, a certified Arabic translation if it was issued in another language, and proof of the award's deposit with the competent court.
Also related is Article 51, which gives either party the right to bring an action to annul the arbitral award within 60 days of being notified of the award, and requires the competent court, if it upholds the arbitral award, to order its enforcement.
The practical result is that a party in whose favor an arbitral award has been issued holds a binding award, but must meet what the Law requires to obtain the enforcement order. To follow these steps, you can consult a lawyer who specializes in arbitration and commercial cases or a lawyer in enforcement cases.
Practical example
An investor in Riyadh obtained an arbitral award obliging his former partner to pay an amount owed. This award has the force of res judicata and is enforceable, so the same dispute is not reopened between the parties, but the investor must submit a request for an enforcement order together with the documents the Law requires.
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 52 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
Is an arbitral award binding in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. An arbitral award issued in accordance with the Law has the force of res judicata and is enforceable, subject to the provisions of the Law.
Is an arbitral award enforced directly?
The article makes it enforceable subject to the provisions of the Law, including the issuance of an enforcement order by the competent court or whoever it delegates under Article 53.
More articles on Enforcing an Arbitral Award
- Article 44
The article requires the tribunal to deposit the original award or a signed copy with the competent court within 15 days of its issuance, with a certified Arabic translation if it was issued in a foreign language.
تودع هيئة التحكيم أصل الحكم، أو صورة موقعة منه باللغة التي صدر بها لدى المحكمة المختصة وذلك خلال المدة المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (1) من المادة (الثالثة والأربعين)
- 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 53
The article gives the competent court or its delegate the power to issue an order enforcing the arbitrators' award, and lists the four documents that must be attached to the enforcement request.
تصدر المحكمة المختصة أو من تندبه، أمراً بتنفيذ حكم المحكمين. ويقدم طلب تنفيذ الحكم مرافقاً له الآتي: 1 - أصل الحكم أو صورة مصدقة منه. 2 - صورة طبق الأصل من اتفا
- 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
- Article 55
The article sets when a request to enforce an arbitral award is accepted, what the competent body verifies before ordering enforcement, and the rules on objecting to the enforcement order or its refusal.
1- لا يقبل طلب تنفيذ حكم التحكيم إلا إذا انقضى ميعاد رفع دعوى بطلان الحكم. 2 - لا يجوز الأمر بتنفيذ حكم التحكيم وفقاً لهذا النظام إلا بعد التحقق من الآتي: أ - أ
- Article 56
The article assigns to the Council of Ministers the issuance of the Implementing Regulations of the Arbitration Law.
يصدر مجلس الوزراء اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام.
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.