Article 73 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 73 من نظام الإثبات · الفصل الثالث: إجراءات الإثبات بالشهادة
A party who asks for time to bring his witnesses is given time once; if he does not bring them without an acceptable excuse, or brings those whose testimony does not establish the fact, the court decides the dispute.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا طلب أحد الخصوم إمهاله لإحضار شهوده فيمهل مرة واحدة، فإذا لم يحضرهم في الموعد المحدد بغير عذر تقبله المحكمة أو أحضر منهم من لم توصل شهادته؛ فعلى المحكمة أن تفصل في الخصومة.
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 73 explained in plain English
This Article deals with a practical matter that recurs often in cases: a request for time to bring witnesses, and sets a limit on it that prevents prolonging the dispute.
- Time given once: If one of the parties asks for time to bring his witnesses, he is given time once.
- Effect of not bringing them: If he does not bring his witnesses at the set date without an excuse the court accepts, the court must decide the dispute.
- Effect of bringing witnesses whose testimony is not enough: Likewise, if he brings one whose testimony is not conclusive, that is, his testimony does not lead to proving what he wants to prove, the court must decide the dispute.
The phrase "the court must decide the dispute" means that the court does not keep waiting for witnesses, but proceeds to decide the dispute. The Article does not specify the length of the time given, and leaves the acceptance of an excuse to the court's assessment.
This Article is linked to Article 72, which requires a party seeking proof by witnesses to state the facts and the number and names of the witnesses, and to Article 74, which provides that testimony is given orally and may be given in writing with the court's permission. In practice, a person who relies on witnesses should arrange for them to attend before the date, and if something prevents their attendance, he should submit his excuse to the court. A lawyer specializing in litigation can be consulted if needed.
Practical example
In a claim for an amount of money, Nayef asked for time to bring his two witnesses and the court gave him time. At the date the two witnesses did not attend and Nayef gave no excuse that the court accepts, so the court proceeds to decide the dispute without giving him another period.
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 73 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
How many times does the court give time to bring witnesses?
A party who asks for time to bring his witnesses is given time once.
What happens if I do not bring the witnesses on the date?
If you do not bring them without an excuse the court accepts, the court must decide the dispute.
What if the witness attends but his testimony does not prove anything?
If the party brings one whose testimony is not conclusive, the court must likewise decide the dispute.
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.