Article 51 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 51 من نظام الإثبات · الفصل الخامس: أحكام ختامية في الكتابة
Where proof must be in writing, a judicial admission, a decisive oath, or a beginning of written proof supported by another means of proof may take its place, and the Article defines this beginning of proof.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجوز في الأحوال التي يجب فيها الإثبات بالكتابة أن يحل محلها الإقرار القضائي، أو اليمين الحاسمة، أو مبدأ الثبوت بالكتابة المعزز بطريق إثبات آخر؛ وذلك فيما لم يرد فيه نص في هذا النظام.
2- مبدأ الثبوت بالكتابة هو: كل كتابة تصدر من الخصم ويكون من شأنها أن تجعل وجود التصرف المدعى به قريب الاحتمال.
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 51 explained in plain English
In some cases the Law requires proof in writing. This Article deals with what can take the place of writing in those cases, allowing one of the following alternatives to suffice:
- A judicial admission.
- A decisive oath.
- A beginning of written proof supported by another means of proof.
This rule applies where there is no provision on the matter in this Law; if a specific provision in the Law sets a different rule for a particular case, it applies.
The second paragraph defines a beginning of written proof as any writing that comes from the opponent and that makes the existence of the alleged transaction reasonably probable. It is a writing that does not by itself amount to complete proof, but that makes the claim more likely to be true. For this reason, the text requires that this beginning of proof be supported by another means of proof in order to take the place of writing.
Two things should be noted in the definition: the writing must come from the opponent himself, and it must make the alleged transaction reasonably probable.
This Article is linked to Article 52, which allows the court to accept paper or digital documents issued outside the Kingdom under conditions. To know whether a particular writing qualifies as a beginning of written proof, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in civil cases.
Practical example
Badr lent a friend an amount in a case where the Law requires proof in writing, and they did not write a bond. But Badr has a message in his friend's handwriting saying that he will return the money soon. This message may make the loan reasonably probable, and if Badr supports it with another means of proof, it may take the place of writing.
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 51 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
What is a beginning of written proof?
It is any writing that comes from the opponent and that makes the existence of the alleged transaction reasonably probable.
Can a right be proven without a written document if the Law requires writing?
A judicial admission, a decisive oath, or a beginning of written proof supported by another means of proof may take the place of writing, where there is no provision on the matter in the Law.
Is a beginning of written proof enough on its own?
No. The text requires that it be supported by another means of proof.
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 27
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.
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 الم
- 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.
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.