Article 89 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 89 من نظام الإثبات · الباب السابع: العرف
The article requires whoever relies on custom or the usual course of dealing between the parties to prove its existence at the time of the incident, and allows any party to challenge its proof and counter it with something stronger.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- على من يتمسك بالعرف أو العادة بين الخصوم أن يثبت وجودهما وقت الواقعة.
2- لأي من الخصوم الطعن في ثبوت العرف أو العادة بين الخصوم، كما أن لهم معارضتهما بما هو أقوى منهما.
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 89 explained in plain English
This article sets out who bears the burden of proving custom or the usual course of dealing and the opposing party's right to confront them:
- Paragraph (1) – burden of proof: whoever relies on custom or the usual course of dealing between the parties must prove its existence, and it must be proved as of the time of the incident.
- Paragraph (2) – the opposing party's right: any of the parties may:
- Challenge the proof of the custom or usual course of dealing.
- Counter it with something stronger.
The key point in paragraph (1) is the timing requirement: it is not enough for the person relying on it to prove that the custom or usual course of dealing exists now; he must prove its existence at the time of the incident in dispute, and a custom that arose afterward does not help him prove it.
Paragraph (2) preserves the balance: the other party is not obliged to accept the claimed custom, and may dispute its proof or counter it with something stronger. The article does not specify what counts as stronger than a custom or usual course of dealing.
This article is connected to Article 88, which allows proof by custom or the usual course of dealing between the parties where no special provision or agreement between the parties applies and it does not contradict public order, and to Article 90, which gives the usual course of dealing between the parties and special custom priority over general custom in case of conflict.
Anyone who needs to prove a custom or usual course of dealing in a dispute, or to challenge one, is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial or civil matters, depending on the nature of the dispute.
Practical example
A wholesale merchant in Jeddah claimed that the usual course of dealing between him and his customer is that the customer bears the shipping costs. He must prove that this usual course of dealing existed at the time of the disputed transaction, and the customer has the right to challenge its proof or counter it with something stronger.
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 89 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Who has to prove custom in a case?
Whoever relies on custom or the usual course of dealing between the parties must prove its existence at the time of the incident.
Can I challenge a custom my opponent relies on?
Yes. Any of the parties may challenge the proof of the custom or usual course of dealing, and counter it with something stronger.
Is it enough to prove that the custom exists today?
No. The existence of the custom or usual course of dealing must be proved as of the time of the incident.
More articles on Presumptions, Custom and Res Judicata
- Article 84
Presumptions provided for by Sharia or by law spare the person in whose favor they are established from any other means of proof, and the other side may rebut them by any means unless a provision says otherwise.
القرائن المنصوص عليها شرعاً أو نظاماً تغني من قررت لمصلحته عن أي طريق آخر من طرق الإثبات، على أنه يجوز نقض دلالتها بأي طريق آخر؛ ما لم يوجد نص يقضي بغير ذلك.
- Article 85
The article allows the court to infer other presumptions in matters provable by witness testimony, explaining how they point to the fact, and to use scientific means for that purpose.
1- للمحكمة أن تستنبط قرائن أخرى للإثبات، وذلك في الأحوال التي يجوز فيها الإثبات بالشهادة؛ على أن تبين وجه دلالتها. 2- للمحكمة الاستعانة بالوسائل العلمية في استن
- Article 86
The article provides that judgments that have acquired the force of res judicata are conclusive on what they decided and no evidence may be accepted to undo this, provided the parties, their capacities, and the right in object and cause are the same; the court applies it of its own motion.
الأحكام التي حازت حجية الأمر المقضي حجةٌ فيما فصلت فيه من الحقوق، ولا يجوز قبول دليل ينقض هذه الحجية. ولا تكون لتلك الأحكام هذه الحجية إلا في نزاع قام بين الخصو
- Article 87
The court is bound by a criminal judgment related to the case before it only on the facts it decided where that decision was necessary, and by an acquittal only if it rested on denying that the act is attributable to the accused.
لا تتقيد المحكمة بالحكم الجزائي المرتبط بالدعوى المعروضة عليها إلا في الوقائع التي فصل فيها ذلك الحكم، وكان فصله فيها ضرورياً، ومع ذلك لا تتقيد بالحكم الصادر بع
- Article 88
The article allows proof by custom or by the usual course of dealing between the parties, where no special provision or agreement between the parties applies and the custom does not contradict public order.
يجوز الإثبات بالعرف، أو العادة بين الخصوم، وذلك فيما لم يرد فيه نص خاص أو اتفاق بين الأطراف أو فيما لا يخالف النظام العام.
- Article 90
The article provides that, in case of conflict, the usual course of dealing between the parties and special custom take priority over general custom.
تقدم العادة بين الخصوم والعرف الخاص على العرف العام عند التعارض.
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.