Article 109 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 109 من نظام الإثبات · الباب التاسع: المعاينة
The article allows a person who fears the features of a fact that may become disputed will be lost to request its inspection and the recording of its condition by an urgent claim, with the possible appointment of an expert and a hearing set for the parties' comments on his report.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجوز لمن يخشى ضياع معالم واقعة يحتمل أن تصبح محل نزاع أمام القضاء أن يطلب معاينتها وإثبات حالتها، ويقدم الطلب بدعوى مستعجلة للمحكمة المختصة وفقاً للإجراءات المنظمة لذلك، وتراعى في المعاينة وإثبات الحالة أحكام المادة (الثامنة بعد المائة).
2- يجوز للمحكمة في حال التقدم بدعوى لها أن تندب خبيراً للانتقال والمعاينة وسماع أقوال من يرى لزوم سماع أقواله، ويتعين على المحكمة أن تحدد جلسة لسماع ملحوظات الخصوم على تقرير الخبير وأعماله. وتتبع القواعد المنصوص عليها في الباب (العاشر) من هذا النظام.
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 109 explained in plain English
This article deals with the claim to record the condition of a matter, a means of preserving evidence before it is lost, even if the dispute has not yet begun before the courts.
When may it be requested? By a person who fears the features of a fact will be lost that may become the subject of a dispute before the courts, such as the trace of a water leak or damage to goods that may disappear with time.
How is it brought?
- By an urgent claim to the competent court.
- In accordance with the procedures regulating that; the article does not detail these procedures.
- The provisions of Article 108 are observed in the inspection and the recording of the condition, including that the inspection order sets its date and place, that an absent party is notified at least 24 hours before, and that an expert may be appointed and witnesses heard.
The role of the expert: when the claim is brought, the court may appoint an expert to go to the place, inspect, and hear the statements of whoever it sees a need to hear. In that case the court must set a hearing to hear the parties' comments on the expert's report and work, and the rules set out in Part Ten on expert opinion are followed.
The article is connected to Article 110, which allows the court to appoint one or more experts to give an opinion on technical matters, taking into account the suitability of his expertise to the subject of the dispute.
Because delay can strip evidence of its value, a person who fears that the traces of a fact that concerns him will disappear is advised to act promptly and consult a lawyer who specializes in litigation and in civil and real estate matters.
Practical example
The tenant of an apartment in Jeddah discovered a major water leak that damaged his furniture and feared the landlord would repair the damage and its traces would vanish. He brought an urgent claim to record the condition, and the court appointed an expert who inspected the apartment, then set a hearing to hear the parties' comments on his report.
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 109 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
What is a claim to record the condition of a matter?
It is an urgent claim brought by someone who fears the features of a fact that may become disputed will be lost, to request its inspection and the recording of its condition.
Can recording the condition be requested before the main case is filed?
Yes. The article concerns a fact that may become the subject of a dispute before the courts, and the request is made by an urgent claim to the competent court.
Do I have the right to comment on the expert's report in a claim to record the condition?
The court must set a hearing to hear the parties' comments on the expert's report and work.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Inspection and Expert Opinion
- Article 91
The article allows the court, where necessary, to appoint an expert to verify that a custom or usual course of dealing between the parties exists, in accordance with the provisions on expert opinion in Part Ten of the Law.
للمحكمة عند الاقتضاء ندب خبير للتحقق من ثبوت العرف أو العادة بين الخصوم، وفقاً للأحكام المقررة في الباب (العاشر) من هذا النظام.
- Article 108
The article allows the court, of its own motion or at a party's request, to order an inspection of the matter in dispute, with notice to an absent party at least 24 hours before, and to use an expert and hear witnesses.
1- للمحكمة -من تلقاء نفسها أو بناء على طلب أحد الخصوم- أن تقرر معاينة المتنازع فيه، وتحدد في قرار المعاينة تاريخها ومكانها، ويبلغ به من كان غائباً من الخصوم قبل
- Article 110
The article allows the court, of its own motion or at a party's request, to appoint one or more experts to give an opinion on technical matters, with expertise suited to the subject, and to approve the parties' agreement on an expert.
1- للمحكمة -من تلقاء نفسها أو بناء على طلب أحد الخصوم- أن تقرر ندب خبير أو أكثر؛ لإبداء رأيه في المسائل الفنية التي يستلزمها الفصل في الدعوى. 2- يراعى في اختيار
- Article 111
The article requires the operative part of the order appointing an expert to state precisely his task, his powers, and the urgent measures he is authorized to take.
يجب أن يتضمن منطوق قرار ندب الخبير بياناً دقيقاً بمهمته، وصلاحياته، والتدابير العاجلة التي يؤذن له في اتخاذها.
- Article 112
The article governs the court's setting of the expert fee amount, the party required to deposit it and the deadline, the other party's option to deposit with a right of recourse, and the effect of neither party depositing.
1- تحدد المحكمة -عند الاقتضاء- المبلغ المقرر للخبرة، والخصم المكلف بإيداع المبلغ وتعين أجلاً لذلك. 2- إذا لم يودع الخصم المكلف المبلغ المقرر للخبرة في الأجل الم
- Article 113
The article requires the expert, before starting his task, to disclose any relationship with the parties to the case or any interest in it, failing which the court removes him and orders him to return sums received, by a final judgment.
يجب على الخبير قبل مباشرته المهمة أن يفصح عن أي علاقة له بأطراف الدعوى أو أي مصلحة له فيها، فإن أخل بذلك حكمت المحكمة بعزله وبرد ما تسلمه من مبالغ. ويكون الحكم
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.