Article 25 of the Saudi Law of the Judiciary
المادة 25 من نظام القضاء
The courts have jurisdiction to decide all cases under the jurisdiction rules of the Law of Sharia Procedure and the Law of Criminal Procedure, without prejudice to the Law of the Board of Grievances.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
دون إخلال بما يقضي به نظام ديوان المظالم ، تختص المحاكم بالفصل في جميع القضايا، وفق قواعد اختصاص المحاكم المبينة في نظام المرافعات الشرعية ونظام الإجراءات الجزائية.
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 25 explained in plain English
This article establishes the general jurisdiction of the courts subject to the Law of the Judiciary: they have jurisdiction to decide all cases. But this rule is subject to two limits:
- Without prejudice to the Law of the Board of Grievances: what the Law of the Board of Grievances provides to be within its jurisdiction does not fall within the jurisdiction of these courts. The article does not say what the Board has jurisdiction over, as that is found in its own law.
- Jurisdiction rules: cases are decided under the court jurisdiction rules set out in the Law of Sharia Procedure and the Law of Criminal Procedure. These two laws determine which court hears a case, in terms of its type and its location.
In practice, if you have a dispute, the rule is that the general or specialized courts hear it, unless it falls within the jurisdiction of the Board of Grievances.
It is connected to Article 24, which provides that the judges of circuits are appointed by decision of the president of the court, and to Article 26, which prevents courts from holding sessions outside their seats except in certain cases.
Because determining the competent body can affect the fate of a claim, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in litigation and court procedure before filing it.
Practical example
Sarah has a dispute with the tenant of her apartment in Riyadh over overdue rent. This article provides that the courts have jurisdiction to decide all cases without prejudice to the Law of the Board of Grievances, and which court hears her dispute is determined under the jurisdiction rules in the Law of Sharia Procedure.
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 25 of the Saudi Law of the Judiciary
What cases do the courts in Saudi Arabia have jurisdiction over?
They have jurisdiction to decide all cases, without prejudice to what the Law of the Board of Grievances provides, and under the jurisdiction rules in the Law of Sharia Procedure and the Law of Criminal Procedure.
How do I know which court has jurisdiction over my claim?
This is determined by the court jurisdiction rules set out in the Law of Sharia Procedure and the Law of Criminal Procedure.
Do the courts hear cases that belong to the Board of Grievances?
No. The courts' jurisdiction over all cases is subject to not prejudicing what the Law of the Board of Grievances provides.
More articles on Conflicts of Jurisdiction between Judicial Bodies
- Article 27
The article creates a committee in the Supreme Judicial Council to decide conflicts of jurisdiction between the courts and the Board of Grievances or another body, and disputes over enforcing two contradictory final judgments.
إذا رفعت دعوى عن موضوع واحد أمام إحدى المحاكم الخاضعة لهذا النظام وأمام إحدى محاكم ديوان المظالم أو أي جهة أخرى تختص بالفصل في بعض المنازعات ولم تتخلَّ إحداهما
- Article 28
The article sets the procedure for filing a conflict of jurisdiction request by a statement of claim to the General Secretariat of the Supreme Judicial Council, its contents and attachments, preparation, and setting the pleading session.
يرفع الطلب في الأحوال المبينة في المادة (السابعة والعشرين) من هذا النظام بصحيفة تقدم إلى الأمانة العامة للمجلس الأعلى للقضاء تتضمن - علاوة على البيانات العامة ا
- Article 29
Filing a conflict of jurisdiction request stops the proceedings in the case, and if it is filed after judgment, the Committee's chair may order a stay of enforcement of the conflicting judgments or one of them.
يترتب على رفع الطلب إلى اللجنة المشار إليها في المادة السابعة والعشرين من هذا النظام وقف السير في الدعوى المقدم في شأنها الطلب. وإذا قدم الطلب بعد الحكم في الدع
- Article 30
The decision of the Committee for Deciding Conflicts of Jurisdiction is issued by majority and is not open to objection.
يصدر قرار لجنة الفصل في تنازع الاختصاص بالأغلبية، ويكون غير قابل للاعتراض.
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.