Article 8 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
المادة 8 من نظام التحكيم · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 التحكيم تجارياً دولياً سواء جرى بالمملكة أم خارجها، فيكون الاختصاص لمحكمة الاستئناف المختصة أصلاً بنظر النزاع في مدينة الرياض ما لم يتفق طرفا التحكيم على محكمة استئناف أخرى في المملكة.
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 8 explained in plain English
This article identifies which court hears an action to annul an arbitral award, and the other matters the Law refers to "the competent court".
The general rule (paragraph 1): jurisdiction belongs to the court of appeal that would originally have jurisdiction over the dispute. That is, one looks at the type of dispute and the court that would have had jurisdiction over it but for the arbitration, and jurisdiction then belongs to the court of appeal in that area.
International commercial arbitration (paragraph 2): whether it is conducted in the Kingdom or abroad, jurisdiction belongs to the court of appeal that would originally have jurisdiction over the dispute in the city of Riyadh, unless the parties agree on another court of appeal in the Kingdom.
This is understood together with the definition of "the competent court" in Article 1 as the court that has jurisdiction under the law to decide the disputes agreed to be arbitrated. The article is connected with Article 7, which provides that the right to object to certain violations is waived by silence, and with Article 9, which refers to the possibility of agreeing to arbitration even after an action has been brought before the competent court.
To determine the court you must go to in your dispute, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in arbitration and commercial cases.
Practical example
An arbitral award is issued in an international commercial dispute between a Saudi company and a Chinese company, and the parties did not agree on a particular court of appeal. If the Saudi company wishes to bring an action to annul the award, it brings it before the court of appeal that would originally have jurisdiction over the dispute in the city of Riyadh.
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 8 of the Saudi Arbitration Law
Where do I bring an action to annul an arbitral award?
Before the court of appeal that would originally have jurisdiction over the dispute, and in international commercial arbitration before the competent court of appeal in Riyadh unless the parties agree on another court of appeal in the Kingdom.
Can we agree on a court of appeal other than Riyadh in international arbitration?
Yes. Paragraph (2) allows the parties to agree on another court of appeal in the Kingdom.
Does the rule differ if the international arbitration is conducted outside the Kingdom?
No. Paragraph (2) applies whether international commercial arbitration is conducted in the Kingdom or abroad.
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 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 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
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.