Article 2 of the Saudi Judicial Costs Implementing Regulations
المادة 2 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام التكاليف القضائية · الفصل الأول: تقدير التكاليف القضائية
The Article sets the judicial costs of a claim of determined value as a percentage of the amount claimed (5%, 4%, 3% or 2% depending on the band) and explains how the claim value is determined for money, contract and real estate claims.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- مع مراعاة ما تقضي به المادة (الثالثة) من النظام؛ تُقدّر التكاليف القضائية للدعوى المحددة القيمة؛ على أساس نسبة من قيمة المطالبة فيها، وذلك على النحو الآتي:
أ- نسبة (5٪) إذا كانت قيمة المطالبة أقل من مائة ألف ريال.
ب- نسبة (4٪) إذا كانت قيمة المطالبة مائة ألف ريال فأكثر، وتقل عن خمسمائة ألف ريال.
ج- نسبة (3٪) إذا كانت قيمة المطالبة خمسمائة ألف ريال فأكثر، وتقل عن مليون ريال.
د- نسبة (2٪) إذا كانت قيمة المطالبة مليون ريال فأعلى.
2- تُحدد قيمة المطالبة على النحو الآتي:
أ- فيما يتعلق بالدعاوى المالية، تُحدد على أساس المبلغ الذي يطلب المدعي الحكم به.
ب- في الدعاوى المتعلقة بإثبات صحة عقد أو فسخه أو إبطاله أو الإلزام بتنفيذه، تُحدد على أساس قيمة الشيء المتنازع عليه وفقاً لقيمته المحددة في العقد.
ج- في الدعاوى المتعلقة بمنازعات ملكية عقار؛ تُحدد على أساس قيمة العقار عند رفع الدعوى، وتُحدد قيمة العقار بناء على البيانات التاريخية -الموثقة لدى وزارة العدل- لقيمة مبايعات هذا العقار والعقارات المجاورة له، ونحو ذلك من الوسائل الأخرى التي تُمكن الوزارة من تحديد قيمته.
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 2 explained in plain English
This is the key Article for knowing the costs of a claim that has a determined value, subject to what Article 3 of the Law provides; the text does not set out the content of that Article.
First: the percentages according to the amount claimed:
- 5% if it is less than SAR 100,000.
- 4% if it is SAR 100,000 or more and less than SAR 500,000.
- 3% if it is SAR 500,000 or more and less than SAR 1,000,000.
- 2% if it is SAR 1,000,000 or more.
Second: how is the amount claimed determined?
- Money claims: the amount the plaintiff asks the court to award.
- Contract claims (establishing the validity of a contract, or its rescission, annulment or enforcement): the value of the disputed item according to its value specified in the contract.
- Real estate ownership disputes: the value of the property when the claim is filed, determined on the basis of the historical data documented with the Ministry of Justice on the values of sales of that property and neighboring properties, and similar means that enable the Ministry to determine its value.
From the wording of the text, the percentage is applied to the whole amount claimed according to the band in which it falls. The Article does not say who ultimately bears the costs. Anyone who wants to estimate the costs of their claim should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in litigation and procedure.
Practical example
A merchant in Riyadh files a claim against a company for SAR 80,000. Because the claim is less than SAR 100,000, the judicial costs are assessed at 5% of its value, that is SAR 4,000. Had the claim been SAR 200,000, the percentage would have been 4%.
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 2 of the Saudi Judicial Costs Implementing Regulations
What percentage are the judicial costs of a money claim?
5% if the claim is less than SAR 100,000; 4% from SAR 100,000 to less than SAR 500,000; 3% from SAR 500,000 to less than SAR 1 million; and 2% from SAR 1 million and above.
How is the claim value determined in a claim to rescind a contract?
On the basis of the value of the disputed item according to its value specified in the contract.
How is the value of real estate determined in an ownership claim for calculating costs?
By its value when the claim is filed, based on the historical data documented with the Ministry of Justice on sales of the property and neighboring properties, and similar means.
More articles on Judicial Costs in Claims of Determined Value
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.