Article 51 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 51 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الرابع: حضور الخصوم وغيابهم والتوكيل في الخصومة
What an agent states in his principal's presence counts as the principal's own admission unless he denies it at the hearing, and in the principal's absence the agent has no power over serious acts such as admission, settlement and waiver without special authorization.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
كل ما يقرره الوكيل في حضور الموكِّل يكون بمثابة ما يقرره الموكِّل نفسه، إلا إذا نفاه أثناء نظر القضية في الجلسة نفسها. وإذا لم يحضر الموكِّل فلا يصح من الوكيل الإقرار بالحق المدعى به، أو التنازل، أو الصلح، أو قبول اليمين، أو توجيهها، أو ردها، أو ترك الخصومة، أو التنازل عن الحكم - كليًّا أو جزئيًّا - أو عن طريق من طرق الطعن فيه، أو رفع الحجر، أو ترك الرهن مع بقاء الدين، أو الادعاء بالتزوير أو رد القاضي أو اختيار الخبير أو رده ما لم يكن مفوضًا تفويضًا خاصًّا بذلك في الوكالة.
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 51 explained in plain English
This article sets the limits of the agent's authority in litigation and the effect of his statements on his principal, and distinguishes between two cases:
1. If the principal is present: everything the agent states counts as what the principal himself states, unless the principal denies it during the hearing of the case in the same session. A principal who is present must object at once if he does not agree with what his agent said.
2. If the principal is not present: the agent may not carry out the following acts unless specially authorized to do so in the power of attorney:
- Admitting the right claimed, waiving it, or settling.
- Accepting, tendering or returning an oath.
- Abandoning the proceedings.
- Waiving the judgment in whole or in part, or a route of challenging it.
- Lifting an attachment, or releasing a pledge while the debt remains.
- Alleging forgery, recusing the judge, or choosing or challenging the expert.
The reason is that these acts may end the right or affect it greatly, so a general authorization to litigate is not enough for them.
For this reason a person who appoints an agent would do well to review the text of his power of attorney and state clearly what he authorizes his agent to do, and to consult a lawyer specializing in litigation and court procedure when drafting it.
Practical example
Yasser appointed a lawyer in a claim for a sum of money, and his power of attorney authorized him only to plead. At a hearing Yasser did not attend, the opponent offered to settle for half the amount. The agent may not accept this settlement on Yasser's behalf, because his power of attorney does not include a special authorization to settle.
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 51 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
Am I bound by what my agent says at the hearing?
What the agent states in the principal's presence counts as what the principal himself states, unless the principal denies it in the same session.
Can the agent settle or waive without my knowledge?
If the principal is not present, the agent may not settle, waive or admit the right unless specially authorized to do so in the power of attorney.
Can the agent ask to recuse the judge or allege forgery?
He may not do so in the principal's absence unless specially authorized to do so in the power of attorney.
More articles on Attendance and Absence of Parties
- Article 48
If the court has set a hearing for two litigants and they appear at a time other than the one set and ask for their dispute to be heard, the court must grant their request if possible.
إذا عينت المحكمة جلسة لشخصين متداعيين، ثم حضرا في غير الوقت المعين وطلبا النظر في خصومتهما، فعليها أن تجيب هذا الطلب إن أمكن.
- Article 49
Litigants attend on the day the case is heard in person or through a representative, and a representative who is an agent must be someone with the right to act as an agent under the law.
في اليوم المعين لنظر الدعوى يحضر الخصوم بأنفسهم أو مَنْ ينوب عنهم، فإذا كان النائب وكيلًا تعين كونه ممن له حق التوكل حسب النظام.
- Article 50
The article requires the agent to declare his attendance on behalf of his principal and file a certified copy of his power of attorney, allows proving the authorization at the hearing, and applies the filing duty to guardians, legal guardians and trustees.
يجب على الوكيل أن يقرر حضوره عن موكله، وأن يودع صورة مصدقة من وثيقة وكالته لدى الكاتب المختص. وللمحكمة أن ترخص للوكيل عند الضرورة بإيداع صورة الوثيقة في موعد تح
- Article 52
An agent's withdrawal or dismissal without the court's approval does not stop the proceedings, unless the principal informs his opponent of appointing another agent or of his intention to pursue the claim himself.
لا يحول اعتزال الوكيل أو عزلـه بغير موافقة المحكمة دون سير الإجراءات، إلا إذا أبلغ الموكِّل خصمه بتعيين وكيل آخر بدلًا من المعتزل أو المعزول، أو بعزمه على مباشر
- Article 53
If it appears to the court that the agent asks for extensions too often on the pretext of consulting his principal in order to stall, it may require the principal himself or another agent.
إذا ظهر للمحكمة من أحد الوكلاء كثرة الاستمهالات بحجة سؤال موكله بقصد المماطلة، فلها حق طلب الموكل بنفسه لإتمام المرافعة أو توكيل وكيل آخر.
- Article 54
The article bars the judge, members of the Investigation and Public Prosecution Authority and court staff from acting as agents for litigants, even before another court, except for their spouses, ascendants, descendants and those under their guardianship.
لا يجوز للقاضي ولا لعضو هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام ولا لأحد من العاملين في المحاكم أن يكون وكيلًا عن الخصوم في الدعوى ولو كانت مقامة أمام محكمة غير المحكمة الت
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.