Article 71 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 71 من نظام الإثبات · الفصل الثاني: شروط الشهادة وموانعها
The Article requires a witness to disclose his relationship to the parties and his interest, specifies whose testimony is not accepted, and bars employees from testifying to confidential information except under conditions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجب على الشاهد ابتداءً قبل أداء الشهادة الإفصاح عن أي علاقة له بأطراف الدعوى، أو أي مصلحة له فيها.
2- لا تقبل شهادة من يدفع بالشهادة عن نفسه ضرراً أو يجلب لها نفعاً، ولا تقبل شهادة الأصل للفرع، وشهادة الفرع للأصل، وشهادة أحد الزوجين للآخر ولو بعد افتراقهما، وشهادة الولي أو الوصي للمشمول بالولاية أو الوصاية.
3- لا يجوز للموظفين والمكلفين بخدمة عامة -ولو بعد تركهم العمل- أن يشهدوا بما يكون قد وصل إلى علمهم بحكم قيامهم بعملهم من معلومات سرية، ما لم ترتفع عنها صفة السرية، أو تأذن الجهة المختصة في الشهادة بها؛ بناء على طلب المحكمة، أو أحد 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 71 explained in plain English
This Article deals with bars to testimony and what a witness must do before giving it, in three paragraphs:
- Paragraph (1) – duty of disclosure: A witness must at the outset, before giving testimony, disclose any relationship he has with the parties to the case or any interest he has in it.
- Paragraph (2) – whose testimony is not accepted:
- A person who by his testimony averts harm from himself or brings himself a benefit.
- Testimony of an ascendant for a descendant (such as a father for his son), and a descendant for an ascendant (such as a son for his father).
- Testimony of one spouse for the other, even after their separation.
- Testimony of a guardian or executor for the person under guardianship or executorship.
- Paragraph (3) – employees and persons assigned to a public service: They may not, even after leaving work, testify to confidential information that came to their knowledge by virtue of their work, unless its confidential character has been lifted, or the competent authority permits testimony about it at the request of the court or one of the parties.
Note that paragraph (2) bars testimony for a relative, spouse or person under guardianship, that is, testimony in his favor; the text does not expressly address testimony against him.
These bars come alongside the two conditions of competence in Article 70, namely reaching fifteen and sound judgment. Article 72 sets out what a party requesting proof by witnesses must do, including stating the facts and the number and names of the witnesses. A person who doubts whether his witness's testimony will be accepted because of kinship or interest is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in litigation.
Practical example
Sultan filed a financial claim against his partner, and wanted his father to testify to the agreement between them. The father's testimony is not accepted here because it is testimony of an ascendant for a descendant, and any other witness Sultan presents must disclose, before giving testimony, any relationship he has with the two parties or interest in the case.
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 71 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Is a father's testimony for his son accepted in court?
No. The testimony of an ascendant for a descendant, or a descendant for an ascendant, is not accepted.
Is a wife's testimony for her husband accepted after divorce?
No. The testimony of one spouse for the other is not accepted, even after their separation.
May a government employee testify to confidential information he learned at work?
No, even after leaving work, unless its confidential character has been lifted or the competent authority permits it at the request of the court or one of the parties.
What must a witness do before testifying?
He must at the outset disclose any relationship he has with the parties to the case or any interest he has in it.
More articles on Testimony and Witnesses
- Article 11
Admission, interrogation, testimony and the oath take place before the court, which may move or assign a judge if that is not possible, and delegates the court of the place of residence if evidence cannot be taken electronically.
1- تكون إجراءات الإثبات من إقرار أو استجواب أو أداء للشهادة أو اليمين أمام المحكمة، فإن تعذر فللمحكمة أن تنتقل أو تكلف أحد قضاتها بذلك. 2- إذا كان المقر أو المس
- Article 12
A mute person's admission, interrogation, testimony and oath, and the directing, refusing and returning of it, are done in writing, or if he cannot write, by his customary gestures.
يكون إقرار الأخرس ومن في حكمه واستجوابه وأداؤه للشهادة واليمين وتوجيهها والنكول عنها وردها بالكتابة، فإن لم يكن يعرف الكتابة فبإشارته المعهودة.
- Article 19
A non-judicial admission is proved in accordance with the provisions of the Law of Evidence, and may not be proved by testimony except in cases where proof by testimony is permitted.
يكون إثبات الإقرار غير القضائي وفق الأحكام المقررة في هذا النظام، بما في ذلك عدم جواز إثباته بالشهادة إلا في الأحوال التي يجوز فيها الإثبات بالشهادة.
- Article 65
The Article provides that the rule is that proof by witness testimony is permitted, unless a provision states otherwise.
يجوز الإثبات بشهادة الشهود؛ ما لم يرد نص يقضي بغير ذلك.
- Article 66
The Article requires every transaction worth more than SAR 100,000, or of unspecified value, to be proven in writing, bars proof by witnesses unless agreed or provided, and explains how value is assessed.
1- يجب أن يثبت بالكتابة كل تصرف تزيد قيمته على (مائة ألف ريال أو ما يعادلها) أو كان غير محدد القيمة. 2- لا تقبل شهادة الشهود في إثبات وجود أو انقضاء التصرفات ال
- Article 67
The Article sets out three cases in which proof by witnesses is barred even if the value of the transaction does not exceed SAR 100,000.
لا يجوز الإثبات بشهادة الشهود ولو لم تزد قيمة التصرف على (مائة ألف ريال أو ما يعادلها) في الحالات الآتية: 1- فيما اشترط النظام لصحته أو إثباته أن يكون مكتوباً.
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.