Article 5 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 5 من نظام الإثبات · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
The law does not require any particular form to prove an obligation, unless a special provision or an agreement between the parties says otherwise.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يلزم لإثبات الالتزام شكل معين؛ ما لم يرد فيه نص خاص أو اتفاق بين الخصوم.
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 5 explained in plain English
This article establishes the principle that no particular form is required to prove an obligation: as a rule, no specific form is needed to prove an obligation.
But the text excepts two cases:
- A special provision: if a special provision requires a particular form to prove a certain obligation, this rule does not apply to it.
- An agreement of the parties: if the parties agree on a particular form to prove their obligations, this rule does not apply to them either.
Article 6 supplements this rule, providing that the court gives effect to an agreement of the parties on specific rules of evidence unless it violates public order, and that an agreement of the parties provided for in the law is not recognized unless it is in writing. Whoever wants to rely on an agreement about proof must therefore document it in writing.
Where the evidence presented conflicts, Article 4 deals with this by reconciling it and then preferring one item according to the circumstances of the case, with reasons stated in the judgment.
In practical terms, this rule means that the fact that an obligation was not put into a particular form does not in itself prevent its being proved, unless there is a special provision or an agreement. To find out whether your obligation is subject to a special provision requiring a specific form, consult a lawyer specializing in civil and commercial cases.
Practical example
Mohammed agreed with a contractor in Dammam on renovation work for his house, and they exchanged the details by messages. Under this article no particular form is required to prove this obligation, unless a special provision requires a specific form or the two parties have agreed on a particular form of proof.
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 5 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Is a particular form required to prove an obligation?
No. According to the article, as a rule no particular form is required, unless a special provision or an agreement between the parties provides otherwise.
When is a specific form required for proof?
If a special provision so provides, or the parties agree to it.
Must the parties' agreement on proof be in writing?
Yes. Article 6 provides that an agreement of the parties provided for in the law is not recognized unless it is in writing.
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 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
- Article 7
Judgments, orders and decisions issued in evidence procedures need not state reasons unless they contain a final ruling, and judgments in urgent evidence claims must always state reasons.
1- الأحكام والأوامر والقرارات الصادرة بإجراءات الإثبات؛ لا يلزم تسبيبها ما لم تتضمن قضاءً قطعياً. 2- يتعين في جميع الأحوال تسبيب الأحكام الصادرة في دعاوى الإثبا
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.