Article 120 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 120 من نظام الإثبات · الباب العاشر: الخبرة
The article allows the court, at any stage, to summon the expert to discuss his report, order him to complete the missing work and correct errors with other experts joined to him, or appoint another expert to complete the work or re-examine the task.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للمحكمة -من تلقاء نفسها، أو بناء على طلب أحد الخصوم، وفي أي مرحلة تكون عليها الدعوى- أن تتخذ الآتي:
1- الأمر باستدعاء الخبير في جلسة تحددها لمناقشته في تقريره شفاهاً أو كتابة، ولها أن توجه إليه ما تراه من الأسئلة.
2- أمر الخبير باستكمال أوجه النقص في عمله وتدارك ما تبينته من أوجه القصور أو الخطأ فيه، كما أن لها أن تندب خبيراً أو أكثر لينضم إلى الخبير السابق ندبه.
3- ندب خبير آخر أو أكثر لاستكمال أوجه النقص في عمل الخبير السابق وتدارك ما تبين فيه من أوجه القصور أو الخطأ أو إعادة بحث المهمة. ولمن تندبه المحكمة أن يستعين بمعلومات الخبير السابق.
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 120 explained in plain English
This article gives the court means to deal with the expert's report if it is not sufficient or clear.
Who requests this and when? The court, of its own motion or at the request of a party, and at any stage of the case.
The options available:
- Discussing the expert's report: summoning him at a hearing it sets to discuss his report orally or in writing, and putting to him the questions it sees fit.
- Completing the work: ordering the expert to complete the missing parts of his work and correct the shortcomings or errors the court has found, and it may appoint one or more experts to join the expert previously appointed.
- Appointing another expert: appointing one or more other experts to complete the missing parts, correct the shortcomings or errors, or re-examine the task. Whoever the court appoints may use the information of the previous expert.
This article works together with Article 121, which provides that the expert's opinion does not bind the court, and that if it does not accept it in whole or in part it states its reasons in its judgment, taking into account the parties' agreement to accept the result of the report unless it contains something contrary to public order. It is also connected to Article 119, which requires the expert to return what he received within 10 days of the end of his task.
A person who believes the expert's report in his case is incomplete or wrong may ask the court to take one of these steps. To word the request and its grounds, it is advisable to seek the help of a lawyer who specializes in litigation and civil matters.
Practical example
An engineering expert submitted a report in a dispute over the construction of a commercial building in Khobar, but omitted to examine the electrical works. The owner asked the court to have the missing part completed, so it ordered the expert to correct this and appointed an electrical engineer to join him.
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 120 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Can I request that the expert be questioned about his report?
Yes. At a party's request, the court may summon the expert to discuss his report orally or in writing and put questions to him.
Can I request another expert if the report is wrong?
At a party's request, the court may appoint one or more other experts to complete what is missing, correct the shortcomings or errors, or re-examine the task.
Is this possible at any stage of the case?
Yes. The article provides that it is possible at any stage of the case.
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 109
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.
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 ا
- 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
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.