Article 11 of the Saudi Judicial Costs Law

المادة 11 من نظام التكاليف القضائية

The competent department sets the amount of costs and notifies it on filing; it may be objected to within 15 days before the court president or their delegate, whose decision is final.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

تقوم الإدارة المختصة بتحديد مبلغ التكاليف القضائية للدعوى أو الطلب المقدم للمحكمة وفقاً لما يقضي به النظام واللائحة، وتبلغ به المدعي أو صاحب الطلب عند قيد الدعوى أو الطلب. ويجوز للمدعي أو صاحب الطلب الاعتراض على هذا التحديد خلال خمسة عشر يوماً من تاريخ تبليغه أمام رئيس المحكمة أو من يفوضه من قضاتها، ويكون قراره نهائيًّا وغير قابل للاعتراض عليه.

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 11 explained in plain English

This Article explains how the amount of costs is set and how the person concerned objects to it:

Who sets it: the competent department, which under Article 1 is the department concerned with collecting and refunding judicial costs. It sets the amount for the case or request under the Law and the Implementing Regulations.
Notification: the department notifies the plaintiff or the person making the request of the amount when the case or request is filed.
Objection: the plaintiff or the person making the request may object to this assessment within 15 days of the date of notification.
Who hears the objection: the court president or a judge of the court whom they delegate.
Effect of the decision: the decision of the court president or delegate is final and not subject to objection.

In practice, someone who believes the assessed amount is exaggerated or contrary to the Law must object within the set period, because the decision issued on the objection is final. The Article does not explain the effect of the period passing without an objection.

This Article comes after Article 10, which prevents new costs in the cases of lack of jurisdiction and of quashing with remand, and is followed by Article 12, which explains that non-payment does not prevent filing and deciding the case, with a special rule for requests for cassation and reconsideration.

To prepare a well-considered objection to the assessment, you can use a lawyer specialized in litigation and procedure.

Practical example

When Abdullah's case was filed he was notified that its costs were SAR 40,000, and he believed the assessment did not accord with the Law. He has 15 days from the date of notification to object before the court president or a judge they delegate, and what they decide on the objection is final.

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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