Article 5 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 5 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 5 explained in plain English
This article states the general rule on the voidness of procedures before the courts, that is, when a procedure is treated as if it had not occurred.
A procedure is void in two cases:
- If the Law expressly provides for its voidness.
- If it is tainted by a defect that defeated the purpose of the procedure, even if there is no express provision for voidness; what matters here is that the defect spoiled the aim for which the procedure was established.
The important exception: voidness is not ruled, even if the Law provides for it, if it is established that the purpose of the procedure has been achieved. The Law does not aim at form for its own sake, but at the aim of the procedure.
In practice, a person who relies on the voidness of a procedure is not helped by merely pointing to a formal error, as that may be rejected once it is established that the procedure served its purpose. Conversely, a procedure may be void even if the Law does not provide for its voidness, if the defect defeated its purpose.
Among the procedures the Law regulates in this context is what Article 6 provides, that a clerk must attend with the judge at hearings and in all case procedures to draft the record and sign it with him.
Whether the purpose of a procedure was achieved varies from case to case, so it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in procedure and litigation before relying on voidness or responding to it.
Practical example
A notice of service addressed to Ahmed contains an error in some of its details, but Ahmed received it, attended the hearing on time and presented his defense. If it is established that the purpose of the notice, which is his knowledge of the case and enabling him to attend, has been achieved, voidness is not ruled even if the Law provides for it.
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 5 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
When is a case procedure void?
If the Law provides for its voidness, or if it is tainted by a defect that defeated the purpose of the procedure.
Is voidness ruled if the purpose of the procedure was achieved?
No. Voidness is not ruled, even if provided for, where it is established that the purpose of the procedure has been achieved.
Can a procedure be void without an express provision?
Yes, if it is tainted by a defect that defeated the purpose of the procedure.
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 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
- Article 14
Article 14 sets the order in which a bailiff delivers a copy of the notice (to the person, then someone standing in for him, then the neighborhood head, police, center head or tribal identifier), with a registered letter within 24 hours, and the notice takes effect from delivery.
يسلم المحضر صورة التبليغ ومرافقاتها إلى من وجهت إليه في مكان إقامته أو عمله إن وجد، وإلا فيسلمها إلى مَنْ يقرر أنه وكيله أو أنه يعمل في خدمته أو أنه من الساكنين
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.