Article 179 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 179 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الحادي عشر: طرق الاعتراض على الأحكام
The article specifies when the time limit for objecting to a judgment begins, whether or not the party against whom judgment was given attends to receive a copy of the deed, and the case of a judgment by default and of a prisoner or detainee.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يبدأ موعد الاعتراض على الحكم من تاريخ تسليم صورة صك الحكم إلى المحكوم عليه وأخذ توقيعه في الضبط، أو من التاريخ المحدد لتسلمها إن لم يحضر، فإن لم يحضر لتسلم صورة صك الحكم فتودع في ملف الدعوى في التاريخ نفسه مع إثبات ذلك في الضبط، ويعد الإيداع الذي يتم وفقًا لذلك بداية للموعد المقرر للاعتراض على الحكم. ويبدأ موعد الاعتراض على الحكم الغيابي أو الحكم الصادر تدقيقًا أمام المحكمة العليا من تاريخ تبليغه إلى الشخص المحكوم عليه أو وكيله.
2- إذا كان المحكوم عليه سجينًا أو موقوفًا فعلى الجهة المسئولة عنه إحضاره للمحكمة لتسلم صورة صك الحكم خلال المدة المحددة لتسلمها وكذلك إحضاره لتقديم اعتراضه في المدة المحددة لتقديم الاعتراض.
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 179 explained in plain English
This article answers an important practical question: from what date is the period for objecting to a judgment counted? The article does not specify the length of the period itself, only its beginning.
First - the default (paragraph 1):
- The time limit begins from the date a copy of the judgment deed is delivered to the party against whom judgment was given and his signature is taken in the record.
- If he does not attend, it begins from the date set for receiving it; the copy is deposited in the case file on the same date and this is recorded in the record, and this deposit is treated as the start of the set time limit for objection.
Second - a judgment by default and a judgment issued on review before the Supreme Court: the time limit begins from the date it is served on the person against whom judgment was given or his agent.
Third - a prisoner or detainee (paragraph 2): the body responsible for him must bring him to the court to receive a copy of the judgment deed within the period set for receiving it, and must also bring him to submit his objection within the period set for submitting the objection.
The practical result is that failing to attend to receive a copy of the deed on the set date does not delay the start of the time limit for objecting, because depositing it in the case file takes the place of delivery.
The article comes after Article 178 on judgments that may be objected to before the judgment on the merits, and before Article 180, which provides for the suspension of the running of the objection period upon the death of the objector, loss of his capacity, or the end of the capacity of the person conducting the litigation on his behalf. Because missing the deadline may forfeit the right to object, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in litigation and court procedure as soon as the judgment is issued.
Practical example
The court set Talal a date to receive a copy of the judgment deed issued against him, but he did not attend. The court deposited the copy in the case file on the same date and recorded this in the record, so his time limit for objecting begins from that date despite his non-attendance.
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 179 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
When does the period for objecting to a judgment begin?
From the date a copy of the judgment deed is delivered to the party against whom judgment was given and his signature is taken in the record, or from the date set for receiving it if he does not attend.
What happens if I do not attend to receive the judgment deed?
A copy of the deed is deposited in the case file on the set date and this is recorded in the record, and this deposit is treated as the start of the time limit for objection.
When does the time limit for objecting to a judgment by default begin?
From the date it is served on the person against whom judgment was given or his agent.
How does a prisoner object to a judgment?
The body responsible for him must bring him to the court to receive a copy of the judgment deed within the set period, and bring him to submit his objection within the period set for that.
More articles on Appeal, Cassation and Petition for Reconsideration
- Article 95
A judge's work or judgment is void in the situations of bar in Article 94 even if done by agreement of the parties; if the voidness occurs in an affirmed judgment, a party may ask the Supreme Court to set it aside.
يقع باطلًا عمل القاضي أو قضاؤه في الأحوال المتقدمة في المادة (الرابعة والتسعين) من هذا النظام ولو تم باتفاق الخصوم. وإن وقع هذا البطلان في حكم مؤيد جاز للخصم أن
- Article 165
The article requires the court, after pronouncing the judgment, to inform the litigants of the means of objection and their time limits, and to inform guardians, custodians, endowment administrators and representatives of government bodies that the judgment must be appealed or reviewed.
يجب على المحكمة - بعد النطق بالحكم - إفهام الخصوم بطرق الاعتراض المقررة ومواعيدها. كما يجب عليها إفهام الأولياء والأوصياء والنظار وممثلي الأجهزة الحكومية ونحوهم
- Article 170
The article allows the court to which an objection is submitted to order a stay of provisional enforcement if it considers that the grounds of the objection may lead to the judgment being quashed and serious harm is feared from enforcement.
يجوز للمحكمة المرفوع إليها الاعتراض - متى رأت أن أسباب الاعتراض على الحكم قد تقضي بنقضه - أن تأمر بوقف التنفيذ المعجل إذا كان يخشى منه وقوع ضرر جسيم.
- Article 172
The article distinguishes between a refusal to correct, which is objected to together with the judgment itself, and a correction decision, which may be objected to independently.
إذا رفضت المحكمة التصحيح فيكون الاعتراض على ذلك مع الاعتراض على الحكم نفسه. أما القرار الذي يصدر بالتصحيح فيجوز الاعتراض عليه على استقلال بطرق الاعتراض الجائزة.
- Article 176
The article specifies three means of objection to judgments: appeal, cassation and petition for reconsideration.
طرق الاعتراض على الأحكام هي الاستئناف، والنقض، والتماس إعادة النظر.
- Article 177
The article limits the right to object to a judgment to the party against whom it was given or one who was not awarded all his claims, unless the Law provides otherwise.
لا يجوز أن يعترض على الحكم إلا المحكوم عليه، أو من لم يقض له بكل طلباته، ما لم ينص النظام على غير ذلك.
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.