Article 42 of the Saudi Commercial Courts Law
المادة 42 من نظام المحاكم التجارية · الفصل الثالث: الكتابة
A party's statement in official papers is binding on that party unless the contrary is proved, and an ordinary paper is treated as issued by the person it is attributed to unless they expressly deny their handwriting, signature, seal or fingerprint.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يكون مضمون ما صرح به أي من الأطراف في الأوراق الرسمية حجة عليه، ما لم يثبت غير ذلك.
2- تعد الورقة العادية صادرة ممن نسبت إليه، ما لم ينكر صراحة ما هو منسوب إليه فيها من خط أو إمضاء أو ختم أو بصمة.
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 42 explained in plain English
This article regulates the evidentiary weight of written papers before the commercial court, and distinguishes between two types:
1. Official papers: the content of what any party stated in them is binding on that party, unless the contrary is proved. Whoever made a statement in an official paper may be held to its content, while it remains possible to prove otherwise.
2. Ordinary papers: an ordinary paper is treated as issued by the person it is attributed to, unless that person expressly denies what is attributed to them in it of:
- Handwriting.
- Signature.
- Seal.
- Fingerprint.
What matters in the second case is that the text requires the denial to be express and to be directed at what is attributed to the person in the paper; if they do not expressly deny it, the paper is treated as issued by them.
The article does not set out the procedures that follow an express denial. It is connected to Article 41, which leaves the assessment of the weight of a non-judicial admission to the court according to the means of proving it, and to Article 43, which treats a copy of a document as identical to its original unless an interested party disputes this.
When there is a need to deny a paper or rely on it, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in commercial cases.
Practical example
A supplier in Riyadh submitted to the commercial court a goods receipt note bearing a merchant's store seal and signature. If the merchant does not expressly deny the seal or signature, the paper is treated as issued by him. If he wants to challenge it, he must expressly deny what is attributed to him in it.
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 42 of the Saudi Commercial Courts Law
Is an ordinary paper binding on the person it is attributed to?
An ordinary paper is treated as issued by the person it is attributed to unless they expressly deny what is attributed to them in it of handwriting, signature, seal or fingerprint.
What is the weight of official papers in the commercial court?
The content of what any party stated in official papers is binding on that party, unless the contrary is proved.
How do I object to a paper attributed to me?
The article requires that the denial be express, of what is attributed to you in the paper of handwriting, signature, seal or fingerprint.
More articles on Evidence in a Commercial Case
- Article 38
The provisions of the evidence chapter apply to Commercial Court cases unless a special provision says otherwise; no special form is needed to prove an obligation, and parties may agree on evidence rules and shift the burden of proof.
1- فيما لم يرد فيه نص خاص في الأنظمة التجارية، تسري أحكام هذا الفصل على إجراءات الإثبات في الدعاوى التي تختص بنظرها المحكمة. 2- لا يلزم لإثبات الالتزام شكل خاص،
- Article 39
The court may depart from evidence procedures it ordered, or not rely on their result, by a decision recorded in the hearing minutes, provided it states the reasons for departing.
للمحكمة أن تعدِل بقرار تثبته في محضر الجلسة عما أمرت به من إجراءات الإثبات، أو ألا تأخذ بنتيجة إجراء الإثبات، بشرط أن تبين أسباب ذلك العدول.
- Article 40
An admission is judicial if made before the court about a fact relating to the case during its hearing, preparation or the exchange of memoranda, and the court may infer it from written evidence submitted.
1- يعد الإقرار قضائيًّا إذا أقر أحد الأطراف أمام المحكمة بواقعة متعلقة بدعوى أثناء السير في نظرها. 2- يسري حكم الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة على أي إقرار تمّ أثناء إ
- Article 41
The commercial court assesses the weight of a non-judicial admission according to the means used to prove it.
للمحكمة تقدير حجية الإقرار غير القضائي بحسب الوسائل التي اتخذت لإثباته.
- Article 43
A copy of a document is treated as identical to its original unless an interested party disputes it; if disputed and comparison with the original is impossible, it may still be relied on as a presumption in four specified cases.
1- تُعَدُّ صورة المستند مطابقة لأصلها ما لم ينازع في ذلك أي من ذوي الشأن؛ فتجب مطابقتها على أصلها. 2- يجوز الاعتداد بصورة المستند التي نازع فيها أي من ذوي الشأن
- Article 44
Correspondence that is signed or proven to be attributable to its sender has the weight of an ordinary paper in evidence, unless the sender proves they did not send it and did not authorize anyone to send it.
تكون للمراسلات الموقع عليها أو الثابت نسبتها إلى مرسلها؛ حجية الورقة العادية في الإثبات، ما لم يثبت المرسل أنه لم يرسل الرسالة ولم يكلف أحداً بإرسالها.
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.