Article 8 of the Saudi Judicial Costs Law
المادة 8 من نظام التكاليف القضائية
The Article imposes costs of no more than SAR 1,000 on requests for certified copies, inspection and replacement copies, and does not apply to requests by the parties while the case is being heard.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تُفرض على الطلبات الآتية تكاليف قضائية بمبلغ لا يزيد على ألف ريال، وفقاً للمعايير والضوابط وقواعد التقدير التي تحددها اللائحة:
أ- طلب ذي المصلحة تسليمه نسخة مصدقة من أوراق الدعوى أو سجلاتها -الورقية أو الإلكترونية- أو الوثائق أو الأوراق التي تحت يد المحكمة.
ب- طلب ذي المصلحة الاطلاع على أوراق الدعوى أو سجلاتها (الورقية أو الإلكترونية).
ج- طلب نسخة بديلة للوثائق القضائية.
2- لا تسري أحكام الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة على الطلبات التي تقدم أثناء نظر الدعوى من أطرافها أو المدخلين فيها.
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 deals with administrative-type requests relating to case papers, and imposes on them judicial costs not exceeding SAR 1,000 according to criteria, controls and assessment rules set by the Implementing Regulations. These requests are:
- A request by an interested person to be given a certified copy of the case papers or records, paper or electronic, or of the documents and papers in the court's possession.
- A request by an interested person to inspect the case papers or its paper or electronic records.
- A request for a replacement copy of judicial documents.
Paragraph 2 contains an important exception: these costs do not apply to requests submitted while the case is being heard by its parties or by those brought into it. A litigant who asks to inspect the papers of their case while it is being heard is not subject to these costs under this Article, whereas someone who asks for this after the case has ended, or a person who is not a party to it but has an interest, may be subject to them.
This Article complements Article 7, which imposes on other requests, such as appeal and cassation, costs of no more than SAR 10,000. It is followed by Article 9, which regulates the effect of a change in the value of the case on its costs.
Practical example
Noura lost the deed of a judgment issued in her favor years ago in a monetary case that has ended, so she applied for a replacement copy. This request is subject to costs of no more than SAR 1,000. But if her case were still being heard and she asked to inspect her papers as a party to it, these costs would not apply to her.
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 Judicial Costs Law
What is the fee for a replacement copy of a judgment deed?
Costs of no more than SAR 1,000 are imposed on a request for a replacement copy of judicial documents, as the Implementing Regulations specify.
Does a party to a case pay a fee to inspect their case file?
These costs do not apply to requests submitted by the parties to the case or those brought into it while it is being heard.
Are there costs for requesting a certified copy of case papers?
Yes, when an interested person submits it outside the exception, in an amount of no more than SAR 1,000.
More articles on Costs of Requests and Appeals
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.