Article 134 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 134 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب التاسع: إجراءات الإثبات
The article requires the expert to set a start date no later than 10 days after receiving the appointment decision, notify the parties of the meeting place and time, and proceed with his work even in their absence if they were properly summoned.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على الخبير أن يحدد لبدء عمله تاريخًا لا يتجاوز الأيام العشرة التالية لتسلمه قرار التكليف، وأن يبلغ الخصوم في موعد مناسب بمكان الاجتماع وزمانه، ويجب على الخبير أن يباشر أعمـاله ولو في غيبة الخصوم متى كانوا قد دعوا على الوجه الصحيح.
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 134 explained in plain English
This article sets out the expert's obligations at the start of his work, so that he does not delay performing his task and so that the parties can take part in it.
1- Start date: The expert must set a date for starting his work that is no later than the ten days following his receipt of the appointment decision.
2- Notifying the parties: The expert must notify the parties, in good time, of the place and time of the meeting. The text does not set a particular notice period; it requires that notice be given in good time.
3- Working in the parties' absence: The expert must proceed with his work even if the parties do not attend, provided they were properly summoned. The absence of a party who was notified does not stop the expert's work, but if a party was not properly notified, this rule does not apply.
This provision is related to Article 135, which requires the expert to prepare a record stating his work in detail and the attendance, statements and remarks of the parties, since the parties' attending the meeting allows their remarks to be recorded in that record. It is also related to Article 133, which regulates challenging experts.
The practical advice for a party to a case that involves an expert is to make sure to attend the meetings he is notified of, because the expert will proceed with his work even if he is absent. A person who believes he was not properly notified may consult a lawyer who specializes in litigation and court procedure.
Practical example
An agricultural expert received his appointment decision in a dispute over a farm in Al-Ahsa. He set a date to inspect the farm 7 days after receiving it, and notified both parties of the place and time in good time. The claimant attended and the defendant was absent despite having been properly notified, so the expert carried out the inspection without waiting for him.
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 134 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
Within how many days must the expert start his work?
He must set a start date no later than the ten days following his receipt of the appointment decision.
Does the expert work if one of the parties does not attend?
Yes. He must proceed with his work even in the parties' absence, provided they were properly summoned.
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 103
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.
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.
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.