Article 17 of the Saudi Judicial Costs Law

This Article sets the categories on whom judicial costs are not imposed, subject to what the laws, treaties and international agreements to which the Kingdom is a party provide.

1. Prisoners and detainees at the time the costs fall due, in non-criminal financial cases, in cases brought by them or against them. What counts is the person's status at the time the costs fall due, and that the case is a non-criminal financial one.
2. Workers covered by the Labor Law and those excluded from it, and those entitled on their behalf, when claiming their dues arising from work contracts. The exemption is tied to the type of claim, not to the worker's status alone.
3. Ministries and government bodies.

The Implementing Regulations set the procedures and rules for this exemption. The inclusion of "those excluded from the Labor Law" means the exemption is not limited to those subject to the Labor Law, but extends to workers excluded from it in their claims arising from work contracts. "Those entitled on their behalf" are those who claim these dues in place of the worker.

Article 18 is linked to it, providing that if judgment is given in favor of the party exempted from costs, the party against whom judgment is given is required to pay them. That is, the exemption belongs to the exempted party and does not extend to their opponent. It is preceded by Article 16 on refunding costs paid, which includes the case where the payer benefits from an exemption.

A worker claiming the dues of their work contract can consult a lawyer specialized in labor cases.