Article 32 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 32 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الثاني: الاختصاص
The article makes the general court in a governorate or district without a specialized court competent over what falls within that court's jurisdiction, unless the Supreme Judicial Council decides otherwise.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تختص المحكمة العامة في المحافظة أو المركز اللذين ليس فيهما محكمة متخصصة بنظر جميع الدعاوى والقضايا والإثباتات الإنهائية وما في حكمها الداخلة في اختصاص تلك المحكمة المتخصصة، وذلك ما لم يقرر المجلس الأعلى للقضاء خلاف ذلك.
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 32 explained in plain English
This article deals with a real-world situation: not every governorate or district in the Kingdom has all types of specialized courts. What should someone do who needs a specialized court that does not exist in his governorate?
The rule: the general court in a governorate or district that has no specialized court is competent to hear all claims, cases, non-contentious attestations and the like that fall within the jurisdiction of that specialized court.
In this case the general court plays the role of the specialized court that does not exist, so residents of that governorate or district are not deprived of litigating a particular type of case because there is no specialized court there.
The exception: this rule applies unless the Supreme Judicial Council decides otherwise. The Council may decide a different arrangement; the article does not describe that arrangement, but leaves the matter to the Council's decision.
This article complements Article 31, which sets the original jurisdiction of the general courts as whatever falls outside the jurisdiction of the other courts, notaries and the Board of Grievances. An example of the specialized courts the law deals with is the personal status courts, whose jurisdiction Article 33 sets, such as proving marriage and divorce, custody, maintenance and determining heirs.
To know which court is competent for your case in your governorate, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in procedure and litigation.
Practical example
Hind lives in a district with no personal status court and wants to file a maintenance claim. Under this article the general court in that district is competent to hear her claim, unless the Supreme Judicial Council decides otherwise.
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 32 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
Where do I file my claim if there is no specialized court in my governorate?
The general court in the governorate or district that has no specialized court is competent over what falls within that court's jurisdiction, unless the Supreme Judicial Council decides otherwise.
Can this rule change?
Yes. The Supreme Judicial Council may decide otherwise.
Does the rule include non-contentious attestations?
Yes. It covers claims, cases, non-contentious attestations and the like that fall within the specialized court's jurisdiction.
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 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
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.