Article 1 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 1 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
Article 1 provides that courts apply Sharia rulings as indicated by the Quran and the Sunnah and the regulations issued by the ruler that do not conflict with them, and follow the Law of Sharia Procedure in procedures.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تطبق المحاكم على القضايا المعروضة أمامها أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية، وفقًا لما دل عليه الكتاب والسنة، وما يصدره ولي الأمر من أنظمة لا تتعارض مع الكتاب والسنة، وتتقيد في إجراءات نظرها بما ورد في هذا النظام.
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 1 explained in plain English
This article lays down the foundation on which the work of the courts in the Kingdom rests, and it distinguishes between two things: what the court rules on the subject of the dispute, and the way the case is heard.
- On the substance of the case: the courts apply the rules of Islamic Sharia as indicated by the Quran and the Sunnah, and also apply the regulations issued by the ruler, provided they do not conflict with the Quran and the Sunnah.
- On the procedures for hearing the case: the courts are bound by what is stated in the Law of Sharia Procedure, such as how a case is filed, how litigants are notified, how time limits are calculated and how hearings are run.
In practice this means that a person who turns to the court knows in advance the source of authority for the ruling in his dispute, and knows that the procedures taken in his case are governed by rules written in this Law, not by open-ended discretion in each case.
Article 2 complements this provision in terms of time, as it provides that every procedural step that was validly completed under a law in force remains valid, unless this Law provides otherwise.
If you have a case and want to know the procedural rules that apply to it, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in procedure and litigation.
Practical example
Mohammed files a case in Riyadh claiming from a person an amount he loaned him. The court examines the substance of the right according to the rules of Islamic Sharia and the regulations that do not conflict with it, while the steps of the case itself, such as registering the claim, notifying the defendant and attending hearings, proceed according to the Law of Sharia Procedure.
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 1 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
What authority do Saudi courts rule by?
The courts apply the rules of Islamic Sharia as indicated by the Quran and the Sunnah, and the regulations issued by the ruler that do not conflict with the Quran and the Sunnah.
Which law governs the procedures of cases before the courts?
The courts are bound in the procedures for hearing cases by what is stated in the Law of Sharia Procedure.
Do the courts apply regulations issued by the state?
Yes. They apply the regulations issued by the ruler, provided they do not conflict with the Quran and the Sunnah.
More articles on Notification and Deadlines
- Article 2
Article 2 provides that every procedural step validly completed under a law in force remains valid, unless the Law of Sharia Procedure provides otherwise.
كل إجراء من إجراءات المرافعات تم صحيحًا في ظل نظام معمول به يبقى صحيحًا، ما لم ينص على غير ذلك في هذا النظام.
- Article 5
Article 5 provides that a procedure is void if the Law says so or if a defect defeats its purpose, but voidness is not ruled where the procedure's purpose was achieved despite an express provision.
يكون الإجراء باطلًا إذا نص النظام على بطلانه، أو شابه عيب تخلّف بسببه الغرض من الإجراء، ولا يحكم بالبطلان - برغم النص عليه - إذا ثبت تحقق الغاية من الإجراء.
- Article 7Amended (1442 AH)
Article 7 bars bailiffs, clerks and other court aides from performing work within their duties in cases concerning themselves, their spouses or their relatives or in-laws up to the fourth degree, on pain of voidness.
لايجوز للمحضرين ولا للكتبة وغيرهم من أعوان القضاء أن يباشروا عملاً يدخل في حدود وظائفهم في الدعاوى الخاصة بهم أو بأزواجهم أو بأقاربهم أو بأصهارهم حتى الدرجة الر
- Article 8
Article 8 provides that the periods and time limits in the Law of Sharia Procedure are calculated by the Umm al-Qura calendar, and that sunset ends each day.
تحسب المدد والمواعيد المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام حسب تقويم أم القرى. ويعد غروب شمس كل يوم نهايته.
- Article 9
Article 9 defines a person's place of residence as where he habitually lives (with special rules for nomadic Bedouins, detainees and prisoners), allows choosing a special place to receive notices, and requires telling the court of any change.
يقصد بمكان الإقامة في تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام المكان الذي يقطنه الشخص على وجه الاعتياد. وبالنسبة إلى البدو الرحل يعد مكان إقامة الشخص المكان الذي يقطنه عند إقامة
- Article 14
Article 14 sets the order in which a bailiff delivers a copy of the notice (to the person, then someone standing in for him, then the neighborhood head, police, center head or tribal identifier), with a registered letter within 24 hours, and the notice takes effect from delivery.
يسلم المحضر صورة التبليغ ومرافقاتها إلى من وجهت إليه في مكان إقامته أو عمله إن وجد، وإلا فيسلمها إلى مَنْ يقرر أنه وكيله أو أنه يعمل في خدمته أو أنه من الساكنين
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.