Article 7 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 7 من نظام الإثبات · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 الإثبات المستعجلة.
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 7 explained in plain English
While hearing a case, the court may issue judgments, orders and decisions relating to the evidence procedures themselves. This article sets out when the court must give its reasons:
- The rule is that reasons are not required: judgments, orders and decisions issued in evidence procedures need not state reasons.
- The first exception: if the judgment, order or decision contains a final ruling, reasons must be stated.
- The second exception: judgments issued in urgent evidence claims must have their reasons stated in all cases.
Article 6 allows the parties to agree on specific rules of evidence; the court gives effect to their agreement unless it violates public order, provided it is in writing.
Article 8 regulates another aspect of evidence procedures: it requires the court, if it decides to carry out an evidence procedure or assigns one of its judges to do so, to set a date for it, and allows it to carry it out even if the parties or one of them do not attend, once they have been notified of the date set.
Deciding whether a particular decision contains a final ruling is a technical matter, on which it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in civil and commercial cases.
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 7 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Must decisions issued in evidence procedures state reasons?
Their reasons need not be stated unless they contain a final ruling.
Must a judgment in an urgent evidence claim state reasons?
Yes. The article provides that judgments issued in urgent evidence claims must in all cases have their reasons stated.
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 5
The law does not require any particular form to prove an obligation, unless a special provision or an agreement between the parties says otherwise.
لا يلزم لإثبات الالتزام شكل معين؛ ما لم يرد فيه نص خاص أو اتفاق بين الخصوم.
- 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
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.