Article 125 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 125 من نظام الإثبات · الباب الحادي عشر: أحكام ختامية
The article sets what to turn to where the Law of Evidence has no provision: the Law of Sharia Procedure or the Commercial Courts Law for procedures, and the most suitable Sharia rules for other evidence matters.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يطبق على الإجراءات المتعلقة بالإثبات أحكام نظام المرافعات الشرعية أو نظام المحاكم التجارية -بحسب الحال- فيما لم يرد فيه نص في هذا النظام.
2- مع مراعاة ما ورد في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة، تطبق الأحكام المستمدة من الشريعة الإسلامية الأكثر ملاءمة لترجيحات هذا النظام على مسائل الإثبات التي لم يرد في شأنها نص في 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 125 explained in plain English
This article deals with the case of the absence of a provision in the Law of Evidence, and states the source that supplements the Law, distinguishing between two matters:
- Procedures relating to evidence: if the Law of Evidence has no provision governing a particular evidence procedure, the provisions of the Law of Sharia Procedure or the Commercial Courts Law apply, as the case may be, that is, according to the type of case and the law governing its procedures.
- Other evidence matters: subject to the first paragraph, if the Law of Evidence has no provision on an evidence matter, the Sharia rules most suited to the preferences of this Law apply. The meaning is that reference to Sharia rules is made in a way consistent with the directions the Law has chosen.
The phrase "subject to what is stated in paragraph (1)" means that for procedures the two laws mentioned are consulted first, and the second paragraph governs the matters not covered by that.
Connected to it are Article 124, which allows the court to rely on an expert report submitted in another case, and Article 126, which authorizes the Minister of Justice, in coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council, to issue controls for electronic evidence, rules organizing expert opinion, and the procedural guides needed to implement the Law.
Determining which law applies to a particular procedure in a particular case may require the opinion of a lawyer who specializes in litigation and procedure.
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 125 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
What is the reference if the Law of Evidence has no provision on a particular procedure?
The provisions of the Law of Sharia Procedure or the Commercial Courts Law apply to evidence procedures, as the case may be, where the Law of Evidence has no provision.
Is reference made to Islamic Sharia in evidence matters?
Yes. Subject to the first paragraph, the Sharia rules most suited to the preferences of the Law of Evidence apply to evidence matters on which it has no provision.
When does the Commercial Courts Law apply to evidence procedures?
The article says application is as the case may be, that is, according to the law governing the case, where the Law of Evidence has no provision.
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.