Article 43 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 43 من نظام الإثبات · الفرع الثاني: إنكار الخط أو الإمضاء أو الختم أو البصمة، وتحقيق الخطوط
If a document is held valid in full, the person who denied it is fined up to SAR 10,000 without prejudice to compensation, with exceptions for successors and representatives.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا حكم بصحة المحرَّر كله فيحكم على من أنكره بغرامة لا تزيد على (عشرة آلاف) ريال، وذلك دون إخلال بحق ذوي الشأن في المطالبة بالتعويض.
2- لا تتعدد الغرامة بتعدد الخلف أو النائب، ولا يحكم بالغرامة على أي منهما إذا اقتصر إنكاره على نفي العلم.
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 43 explained in plain English
This Article aims to limit non-serious denials of handwriting and signatures, by providing a financial penalty for a person who denies a document and it is then proven to be valid:
- Condition for the fine: A judgment is given that the whole document is valid. If so, the person who denied it is fined no more than SAR 10,000.
- Compensation: The fine does not prevent the persons concerned from claiming compensation; the text provides for this without prejudice to their right to it.
- Successor and representative: The fine is not multiplied by the number of successors or representatives; if several heirs deny the same document, the fine is not multiplied by their number.
- Denial of knowledge: No fine is imposed on a successor or representative if his denial is limited to stating no knowledge of the document, that is, he says he does not know that the handwriting or signature is his predecessor's, without expressly denying it.
The amount stated is a maximum, and the court sets the fine within its limit.
This Article is linked to Article 42, which specifies the documents suitable for comparison in investigating handwriting, signature, seal or fingerprint, while Article 44 regulates the claim of forgery and its procedures. To assess the risks before denying a document in a case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in civil litigation.
Practical example
Youssef denied his signature on an ordinary lease bond, and after comparison the court held the whole bond valid. Youssef is fined no more than SAR 10,000, and the lessor keeps the right to claim compensation.
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 43 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
What is the fine for denying a signature that is proven genuine?
If the whole document is held valid, the person who denied it is fined no more than SAR 10,000, without prejudice to the right of the persons concerned to compensation.
Is each heir fined if they all deny the signature of the person they inherited from?
No. The fine is not multiplied by the number of successors or representatives.
Is an heir fined if he says he does not know that the signature is his predecessor's?
No. No fine is imposed on a successor or representative if his denial is limited to stating no knowledge.
More articles on Denying a Signature and Challenging for Forgery
- 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 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 38
The Article gives the court power to assess the effect of physical defects in a document on its evidentiary force, to accept all or part of it, and to question its issuer or author where its validity is doubtful.
1- للمحكمة أن تقدر ما يترتب على العيوب المادية في المحرَّر من إسقاط حجيته في الإثبات أو إنقاصها، ولها أن تأخذ بكل ما تضمنه المحرَّر أو ببعضه. 2- إذا كانت صحة ال
- Article 39
The Article distinguishes between a claim of forgery, which applies to official and ordinary documents, and denial of handwriting, seal, signature or fingerprint, which applies only to ordinary documents, and sets the burden of proof.
1- يرد الادعاء بالتزوير على المحرَّر الرسمي والعادي، أما إنكار الخط أو الختم أو الإمضاء أو البصمة فلا يرد إلا على المحرَّر العادي. 2- على الخصم الذي يدعي التزوي
- Article 40
The Article sets the conditions under which the court orders an investigation by comparison, by hearing witnesses, or by both, when handwriting, signature, seal or fingerprint on an ordinary document is denied.
إذا أنكر من احتج عليه بالمحرَّر العادي خطه أو إمضاءه أو ختمه أو بصمته، أو أنكر ذلك خلفه أو نائبه أو نفى علمه به، وظل الخصم الآخر متمسكاً بالمحرَّر، وكان المحرَّ
- Article 41
The Article regulates the hearing at which documents for comparison are submitted and the effect of parties' absence, and requires the party disputing a document's validity to attend in person to provide a handwriting sample.
1- تحدد المحكمة جلسة لحضور الخصوم لتقديم ما لديهم من محرَّرات للمضاهاة، والاتفاق على ما يصلح منها لذلك، فإن تخلف الخصم المكلف بالإثبات بغير عذر مقبول جاز 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.