Article 75 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 75 من نظام الإثبات · الفصل الثالث: إجراءات الإثبات بالشهادة
The Article provides that testimony is given in the presence of the parties and each witness is heard separately unless there is a valid need, and that the absence of the party testified against does not prevent hearing it, and he may inspect its record.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تؤدى الشهادة بحضور الخصوم، وتسمع شهادة كل شاهد على انفراد إلا لمقتضى معتبر.
2- تخلف الخصم المشهود عليه لا يمنع من سماع الشهادة. وله الاطلاع على محضر سماع الشهود.
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 75 explained in plain English
This Article sets out how testimony is heard and the rights of the party testified against:
- Paragraph (1):
- Testimony is given in the presence of the parties.
- The testimony of each witness is heard separately, unless there is a valid need that justifies otherwise.
- Paragraph (2):
- The absence of the party testified against does not prevent hearing the testimony.
- In that case he has the right to inspect the record of the hearing of the witnesses.
The reason for hearing each witness separately is that his testimony should express his own knowledge, without being influenced by what other witnesses say. The presence of the parties enables each side to follow what is being testified to.
So that the hearing of the case is not held up, the Law did not make the absence of the party testified against a reason to stop hearing testimony, but it preserved his right to know what was said by allowing him to inspect the record.
This Article is linked to Article 74, which provides that the rule is that testimony is given orally and may be given in writing with the court's permission, and to Article 76, which makes clear that where witnesses differ, the court takes the extent of the testimony it is convinced is true, provided that the difference does not lead to contradiction. A person who missed a hearing of witnesses in his case can consult a lawyer specializing in litigation to learn what he can do after inspecting the record.
Practical example
Youssef was absent from a hearing the court had set to hear his opponent's witnesses in a lease case in Madinah. The court heard the witnesses despite his absence, and each witness was heard separately, and Youssef is entitled afterwards to inspect the record of the hearing of the witnesses.
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 75 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Does the court hear witnesses if a party is absent?
Yes. The absence of the party testified against does not prevent hearing the testimony, and he may inspect the record of the hearing of the witnesses.
Are witnesses heard together or one by one?
The testimony of each witness is heard separately, unless there is a valid need.
Am I entitled to inspect what the witnesses said in my absence?
Yes. The party testified against who was absent may inspect the record of the hearing of the witnesses.
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.