Article 27 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 27 من نظام الإثبات · الفصل الأول: المحرَّرات الرسمية
An official copy of an official document whose original exists is binding to the extent it matches the original; it is treated as matching unless a person concerned disputes it, in which case it must be compared with the original.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا كان أصل المحرَّر الرسمي موجوداً، فإن صورته الرسمية تعد حجة بالقدر الذي تكون فيه مطابقة للأصل.
2- تكون الصورة رسمية إذا أخذت من الأصل؛ وفقاً للإجراءات المنظمة لذلك.
3- تعد الصورة الرسمية مطابقة للأصل؛ ما لم ينازع في ذلك أي من ذوي الشأن، فيجب مطابقتها للأصل.
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 27 explained in plain English
This Article deals with the force of an official copy of an official document when its original exists:
- Force to the extent of conformity: An official copy is binding to the extent that it matches the original.
- When a copy is official: When it is taken from the original in accordance with the procedures regulating this. The Article does not detail these procedures.
- Presumption of conformity: An official copy is treated as matching the original unless any of the persons concerned disputes this; if one of them disputes it, it must be compared with the original.
In practice, this means that an official copy is treated as matching the original without any need to compare it, unless one of the persons concerned disputes this, in which case it must be compared with the original.
The Article is linked to Article 26, which makes an official document binding on everyone as to the matters recorded in it that its author carried out within the limits of his task or that occurred from the persons concerned in his presence, unless forgery is proven by the methods established by law, and to Article 28, which deals with the case where there is no original of the official document: the official copy then has the force of the original if its external appearance does not allow doubt that it matches the original, and any other copies are taken into account only for guidance.
To assess a dispute over an official copy presented in your case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in civil and commercial cases.
Practical example
In a dispute over an estate, one of the heirs presented an official copy of an official document whose original exists. The copy is treated as matching the original and is binding to that extent, but if another heir disputes that it matches, it must be compared with the original.
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 27 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Is an official copy as binding as the original?
If the original exists, the official copy is binding to the extent that it matches the original.
When is a copy considered official?
When it is taken from the original in accordance with the procedures regulating this.
What if I doubt that the copy matches the original?
If any of the persons concerned disputes that the official copy matches the original, it must be compared with the original.
More articles on Proof by Writing
- Article 25
An official document is one in which a public employee or person assigned to a public service records matters in accordance with legal formalities and within their authority; otherwise it has the force of an ordinary document if signed by the persons concerned.
1- المحرَّر الرسمي هو الذي يثبت فيه موظف عام أو شخص مكلف بخدمة عامة، ما تم على يديه أو ما تلقاه من ذوي الشأن، طبقاً للأوضاع النظامية، وفي حدود سلطته واختصاصه. 2
- Article 26
An official document is binding on everyone as to what its author did within his task or what occurred in his presence, unless forgery is proven, and what the persons concerned stated in it is binding on them unless the contrary is proven.
1- المحرَّر الرسمي حجة على الكافة بما دون فيه من أمور قام بها محرره في حدود مهمته، أو حدثت من ذوي الشأن في حضوره؛ ما لم يثبت تزويره بالطرق المقررة نظاماً. 2- يك
- Article 28
If the original of an official document does not exist, an official copy has the force of the original if its appearance leaves no room for doubt that it matches, and other copies are taken into account only for guidance.
إذا لم يوجد أصل المحرَّر الرسمي فتكون للصورة الرسمية حجية الأصل؛ متى كان مظهرها الخارجي لا يسمح بالشك في مطابقتها للأصل، وما عدا ذلك من الصور فلا يعتد بها إلا ل
- Article 29
An ordinary document is binding on the person who signed it unless he expressly denies his handwriting, signature, seal or fingerprint, and a denial is not accepted from a person who has discussed the substance of the document before the court.
1- يعد المحرَّر العادي صادراً ممن وقعه وحجة عليه؛ ما لم ينكر صراحة ما هو منسوب إليه من خط أو إمضاء أو ختم أو بصمة، أو ينكر ذلك خلَفُه أو ينفي علمه بأن الخط أو ا
- Article 30
Correspondence that is signed, or proven to be attributable to its sender, has the force of an ordinary document, unless the sender proves that he did not send it and did not assign anyone to send it.
تكون للمراسلات الموقع عليها أو الثابت نسبتها إلى مرسلها؛ حجية المحرَّر العادي في الإثبات، ما لم يثبت المرسل أنه لم يرسل الرسالة ولم يكلف أحداً بإرسالها.
- 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
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.