Article 37 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 37 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الثاني: الاختصاص
Article 37 provides that a case against a government body is brought in the court within whose area its main headquarters falls, and may be filed with the branch's court in matters relating to that branch.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تقام الدعوى على الأجهزة الحكومية في المحكمة التي يقع في نطاق اختصاصها المقر الرئيس لها، ويجوز رفع الدعوى إلى المحكمة التي يقع في نطاق اختصاصها فرع الجهاز الحكومي في المسائل المتعلقة بذلك الفرع.
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 37 explained in plain English
This article sets a special rule of territorial jurisdiction when the defendant is a government body, in place of the general rule in Article 36, which ties jurisdiction to the defendant's place of residence.
The article's rule contains two things:
- The rule: a case against a government body is brought in the court within whose area the main headquarters of that body falls.
- The additional option: the case may be filed with the court within whose area a branch of the government body falls, provided that the case concerns matters relating to that branch.
The second permission is not absolute; it is not enough that the body has a branch in the plaintiff's city, but the subject of the case must relate to that branch itself. If the case does not relate to the branch, the forum is the court of the main headquarters.
Following this article, Article 38 provides a similar rule for companies, associations and private institutions, as it ties jurisdiction to their center of administration with the possibility of filing with the branch's court in matters relating to it.
The article determines the place only and does not determine the type of court competent over the subject of the dispute with the government body, so before filing the case it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in litigation and procedure before the courts to determine the competent judicial body.
Practical example
Mohammed, who resides in Abha, dealt with the Abha branch of a government body, and a dispute arose between them relating to a transaction carried out by that branch. Under this article, Mohammed may file his case in the court within whose area the branch in Abha falls, and he may also file it in the court of the body's main headquarters.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentA question about Article 37 of Law of Sharia Procedure?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
Administrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Active contributor
Unwan Law Firm
Frequently asked questions about Article 37 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
Where is a case against a government entity filed?
It is brought in the court within whose jurisdiction the main headquarters of the government body falls.
Can the case be filed in the city of the government entity's branch?
Yes. It may be filed with the branch's court if the case concerns matters relating to that branch.
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.