Article 104 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 104 من نظام الإثبات · الفصل الثاني: اليمين الحاسمة
The article provides that the oath is multiplied by the number of those entitled to it unless they are partners in the right or are content with one oath, is multiplied by the number of those to whom it is tendered, and allows the court to accept one oath for several claims.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تتعدد اليمين بتعدد المستحقين لها؛ ما لم يكونوا شركاء في الحق أو يكتفوا بيمين واحدة.
2- تتعدد اليمين بتعدد من وجهت إليه.
3- يجوز للمحكمة الاكتفاء بيمين واحدة إذا اجتمعت طلبات متعددة.
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 104 explained in plain English
This article answers a practical question: if a case has more than one party, or more than one claim, how many oaths are taken?
- Multiple persons entitled to the oath: if more than one person is entitled to the oath, the oath is multiplied by their number, so the opponent swears to each of them. There are two exceptions: if they are partners in the right, or if they are content with one oath.
- Multiple persons to whom the oath is tendered: if the oath is tendered to more than one person, each of them swears his own oath, and the oath of one does not suffice for another.
- Multiple claims: the court may be content with one oath if several claims are combined. This is a discretionary power of the court.
The article is connected to Article 103, which requires a person called to take an oath to attend and sets out when he is treated as refusing, so everyone to whom an oath is tendered is subject to those provisions. It is also connected to Article 105, which governs the supplementary oath the court tenders to the plaintiff if he presents incomplete evidence in financial rights.
Determining whether those entitled are partners in the right may require a legal assessment depending on the nature of the case, so in cases with multiple parties it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in litigation and civil matters.
Practical example
Three brothers brought separate claims against a contractor, each with an independent demand, and each of them demanded the contractor's oath. Here the oath is multiplied by their number, unless they are content with one oath. If they were partners in a single right, one oath would suffice.
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 104 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Does the defendant swear a separate oath to each plaintiff?
The oath is multiplied by the number of those entitled to it, unless they are partners in the right or are content with one oath.
If the oath is tendered to several persons, does each of them swear?
Yes. The article provides that the oath is multiplied by the number of those to whom it is tendered.
Can one oath be enough for several claims?
The court may be content with one oath if several claims are combined.
More articles on The Oath
- 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 12
A mute person's admission, interrogation, testimony and oath, and the directing, refusing and returning of it, are done in writing, or if he cannot write, by his customary gestures.
يكون إقرار الأخرس ومن في حكمه واستجوابه وأداؤه للشهادة واليمين وتوجيهها والنكول عنها وردها بالكتابة، فإن لم يكن يعرف الكتابة فبإشارته المعهودة.
- Article 31
The Article explains when merchants' books are binding for or against their owner, that they are not binding on non-merchants, and when the court may administer the supplementary oath based on them.
1- لا تكون دفاتر التجار حجة على غير التجار، ومع ذلك فإن البيانات المثبتة فيها تصلح أساساً يجيز للمحكمة أن توجه اليمين المتممة لمن قوي جانبه من الطرفين، وذلك فيم
- Article 35
The Article sets out when the court orders the opponent to produce the requested document, and the consequences if he refuses to produce it or denies that it exists.
1- إذا أقر الخصم أن المحرَّر في حوزته أو سكت، أو أثبت الطالب صحة طلبه، أمرت المحكمة بتقديم المحرَّر. 2- إذا امتنع الخصم عن تقديم المحرَّر المطلوب بعد إمهاله مرة
- Article 51
Where proof must be in writing, a judicial admission, a decisive oath, or a beginning of written proof supported by another means of proof may take its place, and the Article defines this beginning of proof.
1- يجوز في الأحوال التي يجب فيها الإثبات بالكتابة أن يحل محلها الإقرار القضائي، أو اليمين الحاسمة، أو مبدأ الثبوت بالكتابة المعزز بطريق إثبات آخر؛ وذلك فيما لم
- Article 74
The Article provides that testimony is given orally and may be given in writing with the court's permission, and that the court may administer an oath to the witness when necessary and assess the effect of his refusal to swear.
1- تؤدى الشهادة شفاهاً. ويجوز أداؤها كتابة بإذن المحكمة. 2- يجوز للمحكمة تحليف الشاهد عند الاقتضاء، وإذا امتنع عن الحلف فتقدر المحكمة أثر ذلك.
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.