Article 46 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 46 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الثالث: رفع الدعوى وقيدها
Failing to observe the time limit for delivering the statement of claim or the appearance period does not invalidate the statement, while the served party keeps the right to a postponement to complete the period.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يترتب على عدم مراعاة الموعد المقرر في المادة (الثالثة والأربعين) من هذا النظام أو عدم مراعاة موعد الحضور بطلان صحيفة الدعوى، وذلك من غير إخلال بحق الموجه إليه التبليغ في التأجيل لاستكمال الموعد.
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 46 explained in plain English
This article deals with the effect of breaching the service time limits. Article 43 sets a time limit for delivering a copy of the statement of claim to the defendant, and also sets an appearance period separating service from the hearing.
This article sets two linked rules:
- No invalidity: failing to observe the time limit set in Article 43, or failing to observe the appearance period, does not lead to invalidity of the statement of claim. The claim remains standing and the claimant is not required to file it again.
- The right to postponement: this does not affect the right of the person served to request a postponement of the hearing of the claim until he completes the period he missed.
In this way the law balances two interests: that a claim not fall because of a procedural error in the service time limits, and that the defendant not be deprived of the period the law set for preparing his defense.
If a person is served with a hearing without the period being observed, the remedy this article gives is to request a postponement to complete the period, not to request invalidation of the statement. To assess the position in a particular case, you can consult a lawyer specializing in litigation and court procedure.
Practical example
Noura was served with a statement of claim before the general court at a time when the appearance period set by law was not observed. The statement of claim is not invalidated because of that, but Noura has the right to request postponement of the hearing until she completes the set period.
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 46 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
Is the statement of claim invalidated if the service or appearance period is not observed?
No. Failing to observe these periods does not invalidate the statement of claim.
What is the defendant entitled to if he is served late?
He is entitled to request a postponement to complete the period that was not observed.
Articles this article refers to
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.