Article 9 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 9 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 الدعوى. وبالنسبة إلى الموقوفين والسجناء يعد مكان إقامة الشخص المكان الموقوف فيه أو المسجون فيه.
ويجوز لأي شخص أن يختار مكان إقامة خاصًا يتلقى فيه التبليغات التي توجه إليه بالإضافة إلى مكان إقامته العام، وإذا بدّل الخصم مكان إقامته سواء الخاص أو العام، فيجب عليه إبلاغ المحكمة بذلك.
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 9 explained in plain English
This article defines the place of residence on which many provisions of the Law are built, most importantly service of notices.
The general rule: the place of residence is the place where the person habitually lives, that is, his usual dwelling.
Special cases:
- Nomadic Bedouins: the place of residence is the place where the person lives at the time the case is filed.
- Detainees and prisoners: the place of residence is the place where he is detained or imprisoned.
A special (chosen) place of residence: any person may choose a special place of residence in which to receive notices addressed to him, in addition to his general place of residence, not in place of it.
The duty to notify on change: if a litigant changes his place of residence, whether the special or the general one, he must notify the court of this. This is an obligation on the litigant himself, and it is in his interest that his details with the court are correct so that notices reach him.
Alongside this article, Article 8 provides that periods and time limits are calculated by the Umm al-Qura calendar. If you are a party to a case and have moved to a new residence, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in procedure and litigation to make sure your procedural position is sound.
Practical example
Abdulrahman lives in Riyadh and is a party to a case, and he chose his lawyer's office as a special place to receive notices in addition to his home address. Months later he moves to a new home in another neighborhood, and he must notify the court of this change.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
General Practice lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
General Practice lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Albrahim Law Firm
- Labour & Employment Law
- Civil Litigation & Compensation
Khalid Al-Angari Law Office
- Labour & Employment Law
- Commercial & Corporate Law
Frequently asked questions about Article 9 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
What is meant by place of residence in the procedure law?
The place where a person habitually lives.
What is the place of residence of a prisoner or detainee?
The place where he is detained or imprisoned.
May a special address be chosen to receive notices?
Yes. Any person may choose a special place of residence in which to receive notices, in addition to his general place of residence.
Must I notify the court if I change my address?
Yes. If a litigant changes his special or general place of residence, he must notify the court of this.
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 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.