Article 44 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 44 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الثالث: رفع الدعوى وقيدها
The article sets the appearance period at eight days before the general court and four days before the labor, commercial and personal status courts, and allows it to be shortened to 24 hours on conditions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
موعد الحضور أمام المحكمة العامة ثمانية أيام على الأقل من تاريخ تبليغ صحيفة الدعوى. وموعد الحضور أمام المحاكم العمالية والتجارية والأحوال الشخصية أربعة أيام على الأقل من تاريخ تبليغ صحيفة الدعوى، وتطبق مدة الأيام الأربعة على القضايا العمالية والتجارية والأحوال الشخصية إذا نظرت أمام المحكمة العامة في المحافظة أو المركز. ويجوز في الدعاوى الناشئة عن حوادث السير أو عند الضرورة نقص الموعد إلى أربع وعشرين ساعة، بشرط أن يحصل التبليغ للخصم نفسه في حالة نقص الموعد وأن يكون بإمكانه الوصول إلى المحكمة في الموعد المحدد، ويكون نقص الموعد بإذن من المحكمة المرفوعة إليها الدعوى.
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 44 explained in plain English
The appearance period is the minimum period that must separate service of the statement of claim on the defendant from the hearing, so that he can prepare. This article sets that period as follows:
- Before the general court: at least 8 days from the date of service.
- Before the labor, commercial and personal status courts: at least 4 days from the date of service.
- The four-day period also applies to labor, commercial and personal status cases if the general court in the governorate or district hears them.
Shortening the period to 24 hours: this is permitted in claims arising from traffic accidents or in case of necessity, on conditions that must all be met:
- The shortening must be with the permission of the court before which the claim is filed.
- Service must be made on the opponent himself.
- He must be able to reach the court at the set time.
This article is linked to Article 43, which requires delivering a copy of the statement while observing the appearance period, and to Article 45, which exempts claims in which the appearance period was shortened from the duty to file the defense memorandum a set time before the hearing.
Someone who received service of a very near hearing and believes the period was not observed can consult a lawyer specializing in litigation and court procedure.
Practical example
Majed was served on Sunday with a labor claim filed against him. Under this article the period between service and the hearing must be not less than 4 days. If the claim were before the general court in cases other than the exceptions, the period would be not less than 8 days.
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 44 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
How many days is the appearance period before the general court?
At least eight days from the date of service of the statement of claim.
What is the appearance period in labor, commercial and personal status cases?
At least four days from the date of service, and the same period applies if these cases are heard before the general court in the governorate or district.
When may the appearance period be shortened to 24 hours?
In traffic accident claims or in case of necessity, with the court's permission, provided the opponent himself is served and is able to reach the court at the time set.
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.