Article 12 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 12 من نظام الإثبات · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون إقرار الأخرس ومن في حكمه واستجوابه وأداؤه للشهادة واليمين وتوجيهها والنكول عنها وردها بالكتابة، فإن لم يكن يعرف الكتابة فبإشارته المعهودة.
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 12 explained in plain English
This article takes account of the position of a mute person and the like, and shows how evidence procedures concerning him are carried out.
The procedures covered by the text are:
- admission;
- interrogation;
- giving testimony;
- the oath: giving it, directing it, refusing it and returning it.
The text sets an order between two means:
- Writing first: these procedures are done in writing.
- The customary gesture: if he does not know how to write, they are done by his customary gestures, that is, the gestures known from him.
The text does not specify who is "in the position of a mute person", nor does it detail how the customary gesture is to be verified.
The article is linked to Article 11, which provides that evidence procedures such as admission, interrogation, giving testimony or the oath take place before the court, and that where this is not possible the court may move or assign one of its judges to do so, and to Article 13, which allows the court to adopt evidence procedures carried out outside the Kingdom unless they violate public order, without prejudice to the Kingdom's obligations under international agreements.
If one of the parties or witnesses in your case is in this category, you can consult a lawyer specializing in civil and commercial cases to make sure the procedure is sound.
Practical example
Salem is a witness to a sale contract, and he is mute and able to write. When his testimony is heard, it is given in writing. If he did not know how to write, his testimony would be by his customary gestures.
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 12 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
How does a mute person testify?
His testimony is in writing, or if he does not know how to write, by his customary gestures.
May a mute person take an oath?
Yes. Giving it, directing it, refusing it and returning it are done in writing, or if he does not know how to write, by his customary gestures.
How is a mute person's admission made?
The article provides that the admission of a mute person and the like is in writing, or by his customary gestures if he does not know how to write.
More articles on Burden of Proof and General Provisions
- Article 1
Article 1 defines the scope of the Law of Evidence, providing that its provisions apply to civil and commercial transactions.
تسري أحكام هذا النظام على المعاملات المدنية والتجارية.
- 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
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.