Article 98 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
المادة 98 من نظام المرافعات الشرعية · الباب الثامن: تنحي القضاة وردهم عن الحكم
Article 98 permits a party to ask for a judge's recusal if a ground exists and he has not stepped aside, and sets when the request must be made and when the right is lost.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا قام بالقاضي سبب للرد ولم يتنح جاز للخصم طلب رده، فإن لم يكن سبب الرد من الأسباب المنصوص عليها في المادة (السادسة والتسعين) من هذا النظام، وجب تقديم طلب الرد قبل تقديم أي دفع أو دفاع في القضية وإلا سقط الحق فيه. ومع ذلك يجوز طلب الرد إذا حدثت أسبابه بعد ذلك، أو إذا أثبت طالب الرد أنه كان لا يعلم بها. وفي جميع الأحوال لا يقبل طلب الرد بعد قفل باب المرافعة.
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 98 explained in plain English
This article deals with the situation where a ground for recusal exists in the judge but he has not stepped aside on his own; the party then has the right to ask for his recusal.
The article distinguishes in timing between two kinds of grounds:
- The grounds listed in Article 96: the article does not require that the request be made before any defense or objection.
- Any other ground for recusal: the recusal request must be made before any defense or objection is made in the case, otherwise the right to it is lost.
However, a recusal request remains permitted even after the defense in two situations:
- If the grounds for recusal arose afterward.
- If the party requesting recusal proves that he did not know of them.
The article sets a final limit applying in all situations: a recusal request is not accepted after the pleadings close.
This article is linked to Article 97, which requires a judge in whom a ground for recusal exists to inform his direct superior so that he permits him to step aside, and to Article 99, which explains that the recusal request is made by a report deposited with the court administration, signed by the requester, setting out its grounds and accompanied by any supporting papers. Because the timing here can cause the right to be lost, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in pleadings and litigation before the courts early.
Practical example
Saad submitted his statement of defense in a case before a court in Riyadh, and then wanted to ask for the judge's recusal on a ground that is not among those in Article 96 and that he knew of beforehand. His right to recusal is lost because he did not make the request before the defense, unless he proves that he did not know of the ground or that the ground arose afterward.
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 98 of the Saudi Law of Sharia Procedure
When is the right to ask for a judge's recusal lost?
If the ground is not one of those in Article 96 and the request was not made before any defense or objection, unless the ground arose afterward or the requester proves he did not know of it.
Can recusal of a judge be requested after the pleadings end?
No. In all situations a recusal request is not accepted after the pleadings close.
Can recusal be requested if the ground appears during the case?
Yes. A recusal request is permitted if its grounds arose after the defense or objection was made, as long as the pleadings have not closed.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Recusal and Withdrawal of Judges
- 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 94
A judge is barred from hearing a case, even if no party asks, in specified situations such as relationship or marriage ties to the fourth degree, an existing dispute, agency, interest, and prior fatwa or involvement in the case.
يكون القاضي ممنوعًا من نظر الدعوى وسماعها ولو لم يطلب ذلك أحد الخصوم في الأحوال الآتية: أ - إذا كان زوجًا لأحد الخصوم أو كان قريبًا أو صهرًا له إلى الدرجة الراب
- Article 95
A judge's work or judgment is void in the situations of bar in Article 94 even if done by agreement of the parties; if the voidness occurs in an affirmed judgment, a party may ask the Supreme Court to set it aside.
يقع باطلًا عمل القاضي أو قضاؤه في الأحوال المتقدمة في المادة (الرابعة والتسعين) من هذا النظام ولو تم باتفاق الخصوم. وإن وقع هذا البطلان في حكم مؤيد جاز للخصم أن
- Article 96
The article sets the grounds on which a judge may be recused from hearing a case, and provides that filing a recusal request stays the case until it is decided.
1- يجوز رد القاضي لأحد الأسباب الآتية: أ - إذا كان له أو لزوجته دعوى مماثلة للدعوى التي ينظرها. ب - إذا حدث له أو لزوجته خصومة مع أحد الخصوم أو مع زوجته بعد قيا
- Article 97
A judge may not refrain from deciding a case before him except where he is barred from hearing it or a ground for recusal exists, and he must inform his direct superior to be permitted to step aside and have it recorded.
لا يجوز للقاضي الامتناع من القضاء في قضية معروضة عليه، إلا إذا كان ممنوعًا من نظرها أو قام به سبب للرد. وعليه أن يخبر مرجعه المباشر للإذن له بالتنحي، ويثبت هذا
- Article 99
The article sets the form of a recusal request: a signed report deposited with the court administration, stating the grounds and accompanied by supporting papers.
يقدم طلب الرد بتقرير يودع في إدارة المحكمة موقعًا من طالب الرد، ويجب أن يشمل تقرير الرد أسبابه، وأن يرافقه ما يوجد من الأوراق المؤيدة له.
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.