Article 103 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 103 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب التاسع: إجراءات الإثبات
The court may withdraw from evidentiary procedures it ordered, provided it states the reasons in the record, and may decline to adopt a procedure's result, provided it states the reasons in its judgment.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للمحكمة أن تعدل عما أمرت به من إجراءات الإثبات، بشرط أن تبين أسباب العدول في الضبط. ويجوز لها كذلك ألا تأخذ بنتيجة الإجراء، بشرط أن تبين أسباب ذلك في حكمها.
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 103 explained in plain English
This article gives the court flexibility in managing proof, with an important safeguard, which is giving reasons. It contains two rulings:
- Withdrawing from an evidentiary procedure: if the court ordered a particular evidentiary procedure, such as hearing witnesses or an inspection, it may withdraw from it, provided it states the reasons for the withdrawal in the record (the register of sessions).
- Not adopting the result of a procedure: if the procedure was actually carried out, the court is not bound by its result, provided it states its reasons in its judgment.
The practical meaning is that an evidentiary procedure is a means of helping the court reach the truth and is not a binding restriction on it. But the two conditions protect the parties from unjustified decisions, because the reasons are written and can be reviewed.
This article is linked to Article 102, which requires delegating the judge of the place where the evidence is if it is outside the court's jurisdiction, and to Article 104, which regulates questioning parties who are present. If you believe the court did not adopt the result of a procedure that supports your position, you can consult a lawyer specializing in pleadings and litigation before the courts to assess the reasons stated in the judgment.
Practical example
A court in Jeddah ordered an inspection of the site of disputed land, and then found that the documents submitted were enough to decide. It may withdraw from the inspection provided it writes the reasons for the withdrawal in the case record.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentA question about Article 103 of Law of Sharia Procedure?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
Civil Litigation & Compensation lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Civil Litigation & Compensation lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Active contributor
Unwan Law Firm
Frequently asked questions about Article 103 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
Is the court bound by the result of an evidentiary procedure?
No. It may decline to adopt the result of the procedure provided it states its reasons in its judgment.
Can the court cancel an evidentiary procedure it ordered?
Yes. It may withdraw from evidentiary procedures it ordered provided it states the reasons for the withdrawal in the record.
More articles on Evidence Procedures
- Article 23
The article makes Arabic the official language of the courts, requires hearing non-Arabic speakers through an interpreter, and requires an approved translation from a licensed office for foreign-language papers.
اللغة العربية هي اللغة الرسمية للمحاكم؛ وتسمع المحكمة أقوال الخصوم والشهود ونحوهم من غير الناطقين باللغة العربية عن طريق مترجم، وتقدم ترجمة معتمدة من مكتب مرخص
- Article 67
If a defendant refuses to answer, or answers with something unrelated to the claim, the judge repeats the request for a proper answer three times in the same session; if the defendant persists, he treats them as refusing to answer after a warning.
إذا امتنع المدعى عليه عن الجواب كليًّا، أو أجاب بجواب غير ملاق للدعوى؛ كرر عليه القاضي طلب الجواب الصحيح ثلاثًا في الجلسة نفسها، فإذا أصر على ذلك عدّه ناكلًا بع
- Article 74
The presiding judge puts the questions to the parties, witnesses and others; members and parties may ask him to put their questions, and he may delegate this to a member.
رئيس الجلسة هو الذي يتولى توجيه الأسئلة إلى الخصوم والشهود وغيرهم ممن له صلة بالدعوى، ولأعضاء الدائرة المشتركين معه في الجلسة والخصوم أن يطلبوا منه توجيه ما يري
- Article 101
The article requires that facts to be proved during pleadings be related to the case, material to it, and admissible.
يجب أن تكون الوقائع المراد إثباتها أثناء المرافعة متعلقة بالدعوى منتجة فيها جائزًا قبولها.
- Article 102
If a party's evidence is in a place outside the court's jurisdiction, the court must delegate the judge of that place to hear and vet the evidence.
إذا كانت بينة أحد الخصوم في مكان خارج عن نطاق اختصاص المحكمة، فعليها أن تستخلف القاضي الذي يقع ذلك المكان في نطاق اختصاصه لسماع تلك البينة وتعديلها.
- Article 104
The court may question a party who is present, and any party may ask to question his opponent who is present; the answer is given in the same session unless the court grants time, and in the requester's presence.
للمحكمة أن تستجوب من يكون حاضرًا من الخصوم، ولكل منهم أن يطلب استجواب خصمه الحاضر، وتكون الإجابة في الجلسة نفسها إلا إذا رأت المحكمة إعطاء موعد للإجابة، كما تكو
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.