Article 82 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 82 من نظام الإثبات · الفصل الخامس: أحكام ختامية في الشهادة
The Article bars harming a witness and requires the court to prevent any attempt to intimidate him or influence him when giving testimony.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تجوز مضارة الشاهد. وعلى المحكمة أن تمنع كل محاولة ترمي إلى تخويفه أو التأثير عليه عند أداء الشهادة.
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 82 explained in plain English
This Article sets out protection of the witness, which is necessary so that people testify to what they know without fear. It contains two rules:
- A general bar: A witness may not be harmed. The text is absolute in barring harm to him.
- A duty on the court: The court must prevent any attempt aimed at intimidating the witness or influencing him when he gives testimony.
The court is therefore required not only to hear the witness but to protect him while he gives his testimony from any attempt at intimidation or influence, whether it comes from one of the parties or from others. This is consistent with what Article 77 provides, barring a party from interrupting the witness while he gives testimony or answers.
The Article does not set a penalty for a person who harms the witness, nor does it detail the means the court takes to prevent influence on him; it sets the principle and the duty, and reference is made to the other relevant laws for penalties.
This Article is linked to Article 81, which regulates the urgent action to hear a witness whose chance of being called may be lost, and to Article 83, which provides that the court, at the witness's request, assesses his travel expenses and compensation for his time lost. Together these Articles protect the witness and preserve his rights.
A person who has faced intimidation or pressure because of his testimony, or who knows of an attempt to influence a witness, is advised to inform the court and to consult a lawyer specializing in litigation or in criminal cases.
Practical example
Faisal was summoned to testify in a commercial dispute between two companies in Riyadh, and during the hearing one of the parties began to direct threatening words at him so that he would change his statements. The court must prevent this attempt here, because the Article bars harming a witness and requires any attempt to intimidate or influence him to be prevented.
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 82 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Does the Law protect the witness from harm?
Yes. The Article states that a witness may not be harmed.
What is the court's role if someone tries to intimidate the witness?
The court must prevent any attempt aimed at intimidating the witness or influencing him when he gives testimony.
Does the Article set a penalty for someone who threatens a witness?
No. The Article sets the bar on harming a witness and the court's duty to prevent influence on him, without setting a penalty.
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.