Article 43 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 43 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الثالث: رفع الدعوى وقيدها
The process server or claimant must deliver a copy of the statement of claim to the defendant within 15 days at most, or before the hearing if it is sooner, observing the appearance period.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يقوم المحضر أو المدعي ـ بحسب الأحوال ـ بتسليم صورة صحيفة الدعوى إلى المدعى عليه خلال خمسة عشر يومًا على الأكثرمن تسليمها إليه، إلا إذا كان قد حدد لنظر الدعوى جلسة تقع في أثناء هذا الموعد، فعندئذ يجب أن يتم التسليم قبل الجلسة، وذلك كله مع مراعاة موعد الحضور.
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 43 explained in plain English
This article sets the time limit for delivering a copy of the statement of claim to the defendant, which is the next step after the clerk hands the statement to the process server or claimant under Article 42.
- Who delivers? The process server or the claimant, as the case may be.
- The time limit: within 15 days at most of the date the statement is handed to him.
- The exception: if the hearing set for the case falls within this period, delivery must take place before the hearing.
- The general restriction: in all cases the appearance period must be observed, meaning the minimum period that must separate service from the hearing, which Article 44 sets.
The aim is for the defendant to learn of the claim in time enough to prepare and attend, and not to be surprised by a hearing he was not notified of in good time.
The article states the time limit and who handles delivery. Someone who received service and believes the time limit was not observed can consult a lawyer specializing in litigation and court procedure.
Practical example
The process server received a statement of claim filed against a company in Jeddah, and the hearing was 30 days away. He must deliver a copy of the statement to the defendant within 15 days at most. If the hearing were only 10 days away, delivery would have to take place before the hearing, observing the appearance period set by law.
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 43 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
General Practice lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
General Practice lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office
Khalid Abdulrahman Al-Hajlah Law and Arbitration Office
Frequently asked questions about Article 43 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
How long does the defendant have to be served with the statement of claim?
A copy of the statement must be delivered to him within 15 days at most of its being handed to the process server or claimant.
What if the hearing is before the 15 days end?
In that case delivery must take place before the hearing, observing the appearance period.
Who delivers the copy of the statement of claim to the defendant?
The process server or the claimant, as the case may be.
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.