Article 1 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 1 من نظام الإثبات · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
Article 1 defines the scope of the Law of Evidence, providing that its provisions apply to civil and commercial transactions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تسري أحكام هذا النظام على المعاملات المدنية والتجارية.
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 1 explained in plain English
This article sets out the scope of application of the Law of Evidence, that is, the kinds of transactions to which its rules apply. The text provides that the provisions of the law apply to civil and commercial transactions.
In practice this means that a person who enters a dispute arising from a civil transaction, such as debts and contracts between individuals, or from a commercial transaction between merchants or companies, refers to this law to learn how to prove his right: what evidence he presents, and on whom the burden of proof falls.
The article does not itself detail the rules of evidence; it fixes the field in which the remaining articles of the law operate. For example, Article 2 sets the basic rule that the claimant must prove the right he claims and the defendant may deny it, requires the facts to be proved to be relevant to the case, material to it and admissible, and prevents the judge from ruling on his personal knowledge.
The text mentions only civil and commercial transactions. If a reader is unsure how to characterize their transaction or which rules apply to their dispute, it is best to consult a lawyer specializing in civil and commercial cases.
Practical example
Khalid bought a used car from his neighbor for an agreed amount, and a disagreement then arose between them over payment of the rest of the price. Because the dispute arises from a civil transaction between two individuals, the rules of the Law of Evidence govern how each of them proves what he says.
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 1 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Which transactions does the Law of Evidence apply to?
According to Article 1, the provisions of the Law of Evidence apply to civil and commercial transactions.
Does the Law of Evidence cover commercial disputes between companies?
Yes. The text expressly names commercial transactions within the scope of the law.
Does Article 1 specify the accepted methods of proof?
No. It only fixes the scope of application, and other articles set out the rules of evidence, such as Article 2, which requires the claimant to prove what he claims.
More articles on Burden of Proof and General Provisions
- Article 2
The article requires the claimant to prove his right and gives the defendant the right to deny it, requires facts to be relevant, material and admissible, and prevents the judge from ruling on his personal knowledge.
1- على المدعي أن يثبت ما يدعيه من حق، وللمدعى عليه نفيه. 2- يجب أن تكون الوقائع المراد إثباتها متعلقة بالدعوى، ومنتجة فيها، وجائزاً قبولها. 3- لا يجوز للقاضي أن
- Article 3
The article sets general rules of evidence: the evidence is on the claimant and the oath on the denier, the function of each, and the difference between the force of evidence and of admission.
1- البينة على من ادعى، واليمين على من أنكر. 2- البينة لإثبات خلاف الظاهر، واليمين لإبقاء الأصل. 3- البينة حجة متعدية، والإقرار حجة قاصرة. 4- الثابت بالبرهان كال
- Article 4
If items of evidence conflict and cannot be reconciled, the court takes the one that is preferred in light of the case's circumstances, otherwise none, and must state its reasons in the judgment.
دون إخلال بأحكام هذا النظام، إذا تعارضت أدلة الإثبات ولم يمكن الجمع بينها فتأخذ المحكمة منها بحسب ما يترجح لها من ظروف الدعوى، فإن تعذر ذلك فلا تأخذ المحكمة بأي
- Article 5
The law does not require any particular form to prove an obligation, unless a special provision or an agreement between the parties says otherwise.
لا يلزم لإثبات الالتزام شكل معين؛ ما لم يرد فيه نص خاص أو اتفاق بين الخصوم.
- Article 6
The court gives effect to the parties' agreement on specific rules of evidence unless it violates public order, and such an agreement is not recognized unless it is in writing.
1- إذا اتفق الخصوم على قواعد محددة في الإثبات فتُعمِل المحكمة اتفاقَهم؛ ما لم يخالف النظام العام. 2- لا يعتد باتفاق الخصوم المنصوص عليه في هذا النظام ما لم يكن
- Article 7
Judgments, orders and decisions issued in evidence procedures need not state reasons unless they contain a final ruling, and judgments in urgent evidence claims must always state reasons.
1- الأحكام والأوامر والقرارات الصادرة بإجراءات الإثبات؛ لا يلزم تسبيبها ما لم تتضمن قضاءً قطعياً. 2- يتعين في جميع الأحوال تسبيب الأحكام الصادرة في دعاوى الإثبا
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.