Article 20 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 20 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
Article 20 provides that where the place of notification is inside the Kingdom but outside the hearing court's jurisdiction, the papers are sent from that court to the court within whose jurisdiction the notification falls.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا كان مكان التبليـغ داخـل المملكة خـارج نطـاق اختصاص المحكمة فترسل الأوراق المراد تبليغها من هذه المحكمة إلى المحكمة التي يقع التبليغ في نطاق اختصاصها.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article addresses a recurring practical situation: a case is being heard before a court in one city, while the person to be notified resides in another place inside the Kingdom that does not fall within the jurisdiction of that court.
The rule: the papers to be served are sent from the court hearing the case to the court within whose jurisdiction the notification falls.
It is understood from this that each court handles notification within its own area, and that the court hearing the case does not carry out notification itself in a place outside its area, but relies on the court competent for that place.
The article applies on two conditions:
- The place of notification is inside the Kingdom.
- It is outside the jurisdiction of the court hearing the case.
If the place of residence is outside the Kingdom, the rule of Article 19 applies, which provides that the notice copy is sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for delivery through diplomatic channels. Article 21 adds a period of 60 days to the legal time limits for someone whose place of residence is outside the Kingdom, and it does not relate to notification inside the Kingdom.
The article does not specify the method of sending between the two courts. Anyone with a question about serving an opponent in another city may consult a lawyer specializing in procedure and litigation.
Practical example
Yousef files a case before a court in Jeddah against a person residing in Abha. Since the place of notification is inside the Kingdom and outside the jurisdiction of the Jeddah court, the notice papers are sent from the Jeddah court to the court within whose jurisdiction Abha falls.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
General Practice lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
General Practice lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Albrahim Law Firm
- Labour & Employment Law
- Civil Litigation & Compensation
Khalid Al-Angari Law Office
- Labour & Employment Law
- Commercial & Corporate Law
Frequently asked questions about Article 20 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
How is an opponent living in another city inside Saudi Arabia notified?
The court hearing the case sends the papers to be served to the court within whose jurisdiction the notification falls.
Does this article apply to someone residing outside the Kingdom?
No. The article concerns a place of notification inside the Kingdom; for someone residing outside it, Article 19 applies.
Who sends the notice papers to the other court?
The court hearing the case sends them to the court competent for the place of notification.
More articles on Notification and Deadlines
- Article 1
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.
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، وتتق
- 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
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.