Article 25 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 25 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الثاني: الاختصاص
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 25 explained in plain English
This article sets out when the Kingdom's courts hear claims filed against a non-Saudi.
The rule: the Kingdom's courts are competent to hear claims filed against a non-Saudi who has a general or chosen place of residence in the Kingdom. The test here is not nationality but having a place of residence in the Kingdom, whether it is:
- General: that is, the place where he normally resides, or
- Chosen: that is, a place of residence the person has chosen.
The exception: this jurisdiction does not cover real actions concerning real estate outside the Kingdom.
The difference between this article and Article 24 is clear: Article 24 makes the courts competent over claims against a Saudi even if he has no place of residence in the Kingdom, whereas this article requires a non-Saudi to have a general or chosen place of residence in it.
As for a non-Saudi who has no general or chosen place of residence in the Kingdom, Article 26 deals with the cases in which the courts are competent over a claim against him, including where the claim concerns property located in the Kingdom, or an obligation whose place of arising or performance is the Kingdom, or a bankruptcy declared in it, or where the claim is against more than one person and one of them has a place of residence in the Kingdom.
If your opponent is a non-Saudi, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in procedure and litigation before filing the claim to confirm the courts' jurisdiction.
Practical example
John, a non-Saudi, has lived in Khobar for years and delayed paying an amount owed to a local establishment. The Kingdom's courts are competent to hear the claim against him because he has a general place of residence in the Kingdom.
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 25 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
Do Saudi courts have jurisdiction over claims against a non-Saudi resident?
Yes, if he has a general or chosen place of residence in the Kingdom.
What is the exception to this jurisdiction?
Real actions concerning real estate outside the Kingdom.
What if the non-Saudi has no residence in the Kingdom?
Article 26 sets out the cases in which the Kingdom's courts are competent over the claim against him.
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 24
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.
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.
- 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.