Article 242 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 242 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الرابع عشر: أحكام ختامية
The article provides that the Law of Sharia Procedure takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعمل بهذا النظام من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
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 242 explained in plain English
This article is one of the final provisions, and it sets the date the Law takes effect, that is, the moment its provisions begin to apply.
The article tied the Law's entry into force to the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. It did not set a period between publication and entry into force, but made it effective from the very day of publication. The text of the article does not itself state the date of publication.
This date has practical importance, since it is the dividing line between procedures subject to this Law and the Law that preceded it. Article 241 provides that this Law replaces the Law of Sharia Procedure issued by Royal Decree No. (M/21) dated 20/5/1421 AH and repeals any provisions that conflict with it, so that replacement takes place from the date of entry into force that this article sets.
Anyone with a case whose procedures began near the date the Law took effect, who wants to know which Law applies to its procedures, would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in litigation and procedure, because this article does not address the details of applying the Law to existing cases.
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 242 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
When does the Law of Sharia Procedure come into force?
It takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Is there a period between publication and entry into force?
The article did not set a period; it made the Law effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
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.