Article 53 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 53 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الرابع: حضور الخصوم وغيابهم والتوكيل في الخصومة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا ظهر للمحكمة من أحد الوكلاء كثرة الاستمهالات بحجة سؤال موكله بقصد المماطلة، فلها حق طلب الموكل بنفسه لإتمام المرافعة أو توكيل وكيل آخر.
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 53 explained in plain English
This article deals with one form of holding up a case: the agent repeatedly asks for extensions on the pretext that he needs to consult his principal, while the real aim is to stall.
Conditions for applying the article:
- One of the agents makes frequent requests for extensions.
- They are on the pretext of consulting his principal.
- It appears to the court that the aim is stalling.
What the court may do: it may require one of two things:
- That the principal himself attend to complete the pleading.
- Or that he appoint another agent.
The assessment here is for the court; the article gives it the right and does not oblige it, and ties it to what appears to it of an intention to stall. The purpose is to protect the other party from the claim being prolonged without justification, and to ensure the case proceeds within a reasonable time.
This article complements the agency provisions in the preceding articles, including Article 52, which prevents an agent's dismissal or withdrawal from being a reason for the proceedings to stop.
Anyone who believes his opponent is stalling through his agent can consult a lawyer specializing in litigation and court procedure about what can be asked of the court.
Practical example
In a claim for rent, the defendant's agent asked for an extension at three consecutive hearings on the pretext that he needed to ask his principal about a single point. If it appears to the court that this is in order to stall, it may require the defendant to attend in person to complete the pleading or to appoint another agent.
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 53 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
What does the court do if the agent frequently asks for extensions?
If it appears to it that this is on the pretext of consulting his principal and in order to stall, it may require the principal himself to complete the pleading or the appointment of another agent.
Must the court require the principal to attend?
The article makes this a right of the court if an intention to stall appears to it, not a duty on it.
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 51
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.
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 ا
- 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 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.