Article 50 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 50 من نظام الإثبات · الفرع الرابع: دعوى التزوير الأصلية
The Article allows a person who fears that a forged document will be invoked against him to bring a principal action against the holder of the document and the person who benefits from it, and the court follows the rules of this Part.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز لمن يخشى الاحتجاج عليه بمحرَّر مزور أن يخاصم من بيده هذا المحرَّر ومن يفيد منه، وفقاً للإجراءات المنظمة لرفع الدعوى. وتراعي المحكمة في تحقيق هذه الدعوى القواعد والإجراءات المنصوص عليها في هذا الباب.
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 50 explained in plain English
A claim of forgery may be made during an existing case in which the document is invoked. This Article, however, deals with a different situation: a person who fears that a forged document will be invoked against him in the future, when no case has yet been filed in which that document is used.
In this case he may take the initiative and bring a principal action for forgery, naming as defendants:
- the person who holds the forged document, and
- the person who benefits from it.
This action is brought in accordance with the procedures regulating the filing of cases, that is, in the usual way of filing cases; the Article sets no special procedures for filing it.
In investigating this action, the court observes the rules and procedures set out in this Part.
The practical benefit of this action is that it allows a person to settle the question of forgery early, instead of waiting for the document to be used against him in a later dispute.
Article 49 provides for a fine on a person claiming forgery whose claim is rejected or whose right to prove is forfeited, and for referral of the document to the Public Prosecution if forgery is proven. A person who knows of a forged document that may be used against him is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in civil litigation, or in criminal cases for the criminal aspect.
Practical example
Sultan learned that a person holds a paper bearing a signature attributed to him in which he acknowledges a debt he never borrowed, and fears that the person will claim it from him. Sultan may bring a principal action for forgery against the holder of the paper and the person who benefits from it, without waiting for a claim to be filed against 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 50 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
What can I do if someone holds a forged document against me and has not used it yet?
A person who fears that a forged document will be invoked against him may name as defendants the person who holds it and the person who benefits from it, in accordance with the procedures regulating the filing of cases.
Against whom is the principal action for forgery brought?
Against the person who holds the forged document and the person who benefits from it.
Which rules apply in a principal action for forgery?
In its investigation, the court observes the rules and procedures set out in this Part of the Law of Evidence.
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.