Article 24 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 24 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الثاني: الاختصاص
Article 24 gives the courts of the Kingdom jurisdiction over cases brought against a Saudi even if he has no general or chosen residence in the Kingdom, except real actions concerning real estate outside the Kingdom.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تختص محـاكم المملكة بنظـرالدعـاوى التـي ترفع على السعودي ولو لم يكن له محل إقامة عام ومختار في المملكة فيما عدا الدعاوى العينية المتعلقة بعقار خارج المملكة.
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 24 explained in plain English
This article begins the provisions on the international jurisdiction of the Kingdom's courts, that is, when Saudi courts hear a case with a foreign connection.
The rule: the courts of the Kingdom have jurisdiction to hear cases brought against a Saudi, even if he has no general or chosen place of residence in the Kingdom. The defendant's Saudi nationality is enough for jurisdiction to arise, even if he lives outside the Kingdom.
The exception: this jurisdiction does not include real actions concerning real estate outside the Kingdom. A case whose subject is a right over real estate located outside the Kingdom does not fall within this rule, even if the defendant is a Saudi.
Note that the criterion here is the capacity of the defendant; the article speaks of cases brought against a Saudi, not cases brought by a Saudi.
Article 25 complements this rule for non-Saudis, as it gives the courts of the Kingdom jurisdiction over cases brought against a non-Saudi who has a general or chosen place of residence in the Kingdom, with the same exception for real estate outside the Kingdom. Article 23 provides that Arabic is the official language of the courts.
Questions of international jurisdiction may intertwine with the circumstances of the dispute, so before filing a case with a foreign connection it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in procedure and litigation.
Practical example
Faisal, a Saudi who has lived and worked in another country for years, borrowed an amount from his friend in Riyadh and did not repay it. His friend can file the case before the courts of the Kingdom because the defendant is a Saudi, even though he has no residence in the Kingdom. If the case were a real action concerning an apartment Faisal owns outside the Kingdom, it would not fall within this rule.
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 24 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
Can a case be filed in Saudi Arabia against a Saudi living abroad?
Yes. The courts of the Kingdom have jurisdiction over cases brought against a Saudi even if he has no general or chosen place of residence in the Kingdom.
Which cases are excluded from this jurisdiction?
Real actions concerning real estate outside the Kingdom.
Does the article concern the plaintiff or the defendant?
It concerns cases brought against a Saudi, that is, when the Saudi is the defendant.
More articles on Judicial Jurisdiction
- Article 10
The article bars transferring a case properly filed before a competent court to another court or body, or withdrawing it before judgment, and treats the case as filed from the date of its registration.
لا يجوز نقل أي قضية رفعت بطريقة صحيحة لمحكمة مختصة إلى محكمة أو جهة أخرى، ولا يحق لأحد سحبها منها قبل الحكم فيها، وتعد القضية مرفوعة من تاريخ قيدها في المحكمة.
- Article 19
The article provides that a person residing outside the Kingdom is served by sending the copy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic delivery, and a reply confirming it reached him is sufficient.
إذا كان مكان إقامة الموجه إليه التبليغ خارج المملكة فترسل صورة التبليغ إلى وزارة الخارجية لتوصيلها بالطرق الدبلوماسية، ويكتفى بالرد الذي يفيد وصول الصورة إلى ال
- Article 25
The article makes the Kingdom's courts competent over claims against a non-Saudi who has a general or chosen place of residence in the Kingdom, except real actions concerning real estate outside it.
تختص محاكم المملكة بنظر الدعاوى التي ترفع على غير السعودي الذي له محل إقامة عام أو مختار في المملكة فيما عدا الدعاوى العينية المتعلقة بعقار خارج المملكة.
- Article 26
The article sets three cases in which the Kingdom's courts are competent over a claim against a non-Saudi with no general or chosen place of residence in it: property or obligation, bankruptcy, and multiple defendants.
تختص محاكم المملكة بنظر الدعاوى التي ترفع على غير السعودي الذي ليس له مكان إقامة عام أو مختار في المملكة في الأحوال الآتية: أ - إذا كانت الدعوى متعلقة بمال موجو
- Article 27
The article sets cases in which the Kingdom's courts are competent over a claim against a non-Saudi Muslim with no place of residence in it, relating to marriage, divorce, maintenance, lineage, guardianship and other personal status matters.
تختص محاكم المملكة بنظر الدعوى المقامة على المسلم غير السعودي الذي ليس له مكان إقامة عام أو مختار في المملكة، وذلك في الأحوال الآتية: أ - إذا كانت الدعوى معارضة
- Article 28
The article makes the Kingdom's courts competent over a claim if both litigants accept their jurisdiction, even if it does not fall within it, except real actions concerning real estate outside the Kingdom.
فيما عدا الدعاوى العينية المتعلقة بعقار خارج المملكة، تختص محاكم المملكة بنظر الدعوى إذا قبل المتداعيان ولايتها ولو لم تكن داخلة في اختصاصها.
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.