Article 26 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 26 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الثاني: الاختصاص
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.
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 ليس له مكان إقامة عام أو مختار في المملكة في الأحوال الآتية:
أ - إذا كانت الدعوى متعلقة بمال موجود في المملكة أو بالتزام تُعد المملكة مكان نشوئه أو تنفيذه.
ب - إذا كانت الدعوى متعلقة بإفلاس أُشهر في المملكة.
ج - إذا كانت الدعوى على أكثر من واحد وكان لأحدهم مكان إقامة في 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 26 explained in plain English
This article deals with claims filed against a non-Saudi who has no general or chosen place of residence in the Kingdom, and makes the Kingdom's courts competent over the claim against him in the following cases:
- A link to property or an obligation: if the claim concerns property located in the Kingdom, or an obligation whose place of arising or performance is the Kingdom.
- Bankruptcy: if the claim concerns a bankruptcy declared in the Kingdom.
- Multiple defendants: if the claim is against more than one person, and one of them has a place of residence in the Kingdom.
The practical value of this article is clear in commercial dealings: anyone who contracted with a foreign party on an obligation that arose in the Kingdom or is performed in it, or where the foreign party has property in the Kingdom to which the claim relates, can turn to the Kingdom's courts even if that party has no residence in it.
This article complements Article 25, which deals with a non-Saudi who has a general or chosen place of residence in the Kingdom. Article 27 also provides other cases for a claim against a Muslim non-Saudi who has no place of residence in the Kingdom, relating to marriage, divorce, maintenance, lineage, guardianship and other personal status matters.
Determining whether a claim falls within one of these cases requires looking at its facts, so it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in procedure and litigation.
Practical example
An establishment in Jeddah contracted with a foreign company that has no office or residence in the Kingdom to supply goods to be delivered in Jeddah, and the company then breached its obligation. Since the Kingdom is the place of performance of the obligation, the Kingdom's courts are competent to hear the claim.
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 26 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
Can a non-resident foreigner be sued before Saudi courts?
Yes, in specific cases: if the claim concerns property located in the Kingdom or an obligation that arose or is performed in it, or a bankruptcy declared in it, or is against more than one person and one of them has a place of residence in it.
Is it enough that the contract is performed in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, if the claim concerns an obligation whose place of arising or performance is the Kingdom.
What if only one of the defendants resides in the Kingdom?
The courts are competent if the claim is against more than one person and one of them has a place of residence in the Kingdom.
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 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 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.