Article 72 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 72 من نظام الإثبات · الفصل الثالث: إجراءات الإثبات بالشهادة
The Article requires a party seeking proof by witnesses to state the facts and the number and names of the witnesses, gives the other party the right to rebut by the same means, and lets the court summon anyone it sees fit.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- على الخصم الذي يطلب الإثبات بشهادة الشهود أن يبين الوقائع التي يريد إثباتها، وعدد الشهود وأسماءهم.
2- إذا أذنت المحكمة لأحد الخصوم بإثبات واقعة بشهادة الشهود كان للخصم الآخر الحق في نفيها بهذا الطريق. وفي جميع الأحوال لا تقبل الشهادة على النفي إلا إذا كان محصوراً.
3- للمحكمة -من تلقاء نفسها أو بناء على طلب أحد الخصوم- أن تستدعي للشهادة من ترى لزوماً لسماع شهادته؛ إظهاراً للحقيقة.
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 72 explained in plain English
This Article regulates the start of the procedures for proof by testimony, and divides the roles between the two parties and the court:
- Paragraph (1) – duty of the party seeking proof: The party who seeks proof by witnesses must state the facts he wants to prove, the number of witnesses and their names.
- Paragraph (2) – right of the other party: If the court permits one of the parties to prove a fact by witnesses, the other party has the right to rebut it by the same means, that is, by witnesses. In all cases, however, testimony on a negation is not accepted unless the negation is limited; testimony on a general, unlimited negation is not accepted.
- Paragraph (3) – role of the court: The court, on its own or at the request of one of the parties, may summon to testify anyone whose testimony it sees as necessary, in order to reveal the truth.
The Article thus strikes a balance: the party seeking proof reveals what he wants to prove and who will testify for him, his opponent can respond by the same means, and the court does not stand by as a spectator but may summon anyone whose testimony it considers necessary.
This Article is linked to Article 71, which requires a witness to disclose his relationship with the parties or his interest and specifies the bars to testimony, and to Article 73, which provides that a party who asks for time to bring his witnesses is given time once. A person preparing to prove a fact by witnesses is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in litigation to organize his request.
Practical example
An establishment in Al Khobar claimed that its supplier delivered damaged goods, and asked to prove this through the testimony of two workers in its warehouse, so it stated to the court the fact, the number of witnesses and their two names. After the court permitted this, the supplier gained the right to rebut the fact through witnesses on his side.
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 72 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
What must I provide when I ask to prove something by witnesses?
You must state the facts you want to prove, the number of witnesses and their names.
Can my opponent bring witnesses to respond?
Yes. If the court permits you to prove by witnesses, your opponent has the right to rebut the fact by the same means.
Is testimony on a negation accepted?
Testimony on a negation is not accepted unless the negation is limited.
Can the court summon a witness whom no one requested?
Yes. The court, on its own, may summon anyone whose testimony it sees as necessary in order to reveal the truth.
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.