Article 24 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
المادة 24 من نظام المحاماة · الباب الثاني: واجبات المحامين وحقوقهم
The Article bars hearing a client's claim against his lawyer for the papers and documents deposited with him after 5 years from the end of his task, unless the client requested them earlier by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تُسمع دعوى الموكل في مطالبة محاميه بالأوراق والمستندات المودعة لديه بعد مضي خمس سنوات من تاريخ انتهاء مهمته، إلا إذا طلبها الموكل قبل مضي هذه المدة بكتاب مسجل مصحوب بعلم الوصول، فيبدأ احتساب هذه المدة من تاريخ تسلم هذا الكتاب.
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 24 explained in plain English
This Article sets a time limit within which a client must demand his papers and documents from his lawyer, so that the demand does not remain open without limit.
The rule: a client's claim against his lawyer for the papers and documents deposited with him is not heard after five years have passed from the date his task ended.
The exception: if the client requested the papers before this period expired by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, the period is counted from the date this letter was received.
What does this mean in practice?
- The period originally starts from the end of the lawyer's task, not from the date the papers were deposited.
- The request that changes the start of the period must be in the form specified in the text: a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, and sent before the five years have passed.
- Where this is met, the period is counted afresh from the date the letter was received.
The rule concerns a claim for the papers and documents deposited with the lawyer, and does not cover other matters.
The Article is connected to Article 23, which bars a lawyer from disclosing his client's secrets even after his agency ends and from abandoning a case without a legitimate reason. A practical tip: if you have documents with a lawyer whose task has ended, do not delay asking for them, and keep proof that the letter was sent and received. To calculate the period accurately in your case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in the laws regulating the legal profession.
Practical example
A lawyer's task in a case for Abdulrahman ended four years ago, and the lawyer still holds Abdulrahman's original title deeds. Abdulrahman sent the lawyer a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt asking for the deeds. The five-year period is therefore counted from the date the lawyer received this letter, not from the date his task ended.
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 24 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
How long do I have to demand my documents from my lawyer?
A claim is not heard after five years from the end of the lawyer's task, unless you requested them earlier by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.
How do I preserve my right to recover my papers from the lawyer?
By requesting them before five years have passed, by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, so that the period is counted from the date this letter was received.
More articles on Duties of the Lawyer
- Article 11
The Article requires a lawyer to practice his profession in accordance with Sharia principles and the laws in force, to refrain from anything that undermines its dignity, and to respect the rules and instructions issued for it.
على المحامي مزاولة مهنته وفقا للأصول الشرعية والأنظمة المرعية، والامتناع عن أي عمل يخل بكرامتها، واحترام القواعد والتعليمات الصادرة في هذا الشأن.
- Article 12
The Article bars a lawyer from touching on personal matters of his client's opponent or the opponent's lawyer, and requires him to refrain from insults or accusations that affect honor and dignity.
لا يجوز للمحامي أن يتعرض للأمور الشخصية الخاصة بخصم موكله أو محاميه، وعليه أن يمتنع عن السب أو الاتهام بما يمس الشرف والكرامة.
- Article 14
The Article bars a lawyer from accepting a case or giving a consultation against a body he works for or whose relationship ended less than 5 years ago, or against his client under a part-time contract within 3 years.
1- لا يجوز للمحامي بنفسه أو بوساطة محام آخر أن يقبل أي دعوى أو يعطي أي استشارة ضد جهة يعمل لديها، أو ضد جهة انتهت علاقته بها، إلا بعد مضي مدة لا تقل عن خمس سنوا
- Article 15
The Article bars a lawyer, himself or through another, from accepting agency for his client's opponent or giving him any help in the same case or a related case, even after his agency has ended.
لا يجوز للمحامي بنفسه أو بوساطة محام آخر أن يقبل الوكالة عن خصم موكله أو أن يبدي له أي معونة، ولو على سبيل الرأي في دعوى سبق له أن قبل الوكالة فيها أو في دعوى ذ
- Article 16
The Article bars a person who was a judge before practicing law from accepting agency, himself or through another lawyer, in a case that was before him.
لا يجوز لمن كان قاضيا قبل مزاولة مهنة المحاماة أن يقبل الوكالة بنفسه أو بوساطة محام آخر في دعوى كانت معروضة عليه.
- Article 17
The Article bars a person who gave an opinion in a case as an employee, arbitrator or expert from accepting agency in that case.
لا يجوز لمن أبدى رأيه في قضية بصفته موظفا أو محكما أو خبيرا، أن يقبل الوكالة في تلك القضية.
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.