Article 42 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 42 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الرابع: حجية الوثائق وحمايتها
The article allows anyone with an interest, even a potential one, whether a natural or legal person, public or private, to bring a claim against the holder of a document issued under the Law or its beneficiary before the competent court.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز لمن له مصلحة ولو محتملة من الأشخاص ذوي الصفة الطبيعية أو الاعتبارية -العامة والخاصة- أن يخاصم من بيده وثيقة صادرة وفق أحكام النظام أو من يستفيد منها أمام المحكمة المختصة. ويكون ذلك وفق أحكام نظام المرافعات الشرعية، وأحكام نظام الإجراءات الجزائية، والأنظمة ذات الصلة.
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 42 explained in plain English
After Article 41 provided that a notarized document may be annulled only by a court judgment for conflict with Sharia or statutory principles or for forgery, this article sets out who may bring the claim, against whom, and where.
Who may bring the claim? Anyone with an interest, even a potential one, so the interest need not be existing and certain. This includes:
- Natural persons, that is, individuals.
- Legal persons, public and private, such as companies and bodies.
Against whom? Against the holder of a document issued under the Law, or the person who benefits from it.
Where? Before the competent court.
Under what procedures? In accordance with the Law of Sharia Procedure, the Criminal Procedure Law and related laws. The article does not say which of these laws applies in each case; that depends on the nature of the dispute.
As an example of how it connects to surrounding provisions, Article 43 provides that no notation of suspension or restraint may be made on a notarization record, or lifted, except by an order of the competent court or an authority competent to do so under a statutory provision.
Anyone who believes a notarized document affects their right is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in civil matters, or in criminal matters if forgery is involved.
Practical example
An establishment in Jeddah discovers that a person holding a notarized power of attorney is using it for something that affects its rights, and it believes the power of attorney is forged. As a legal person with an interest, the establishment may bring a claim against the holder of the document or its beneficiary before the competent court, under the procedural laws mentioned in the article.
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 42 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Who may challenge a notarized document?
Article 42 allows anyone with an interest, even a potential one, whether a natural or legal person, public or private, to bring a claim against the holder of the document or its beneficiary.
Must the interest be certain to bring a claim over the document?
No. The article is satisfied with an interest that is even potential.
Where is a claim over a notarized document brought?
Before the competent court, in accordance with the Law of Sharia Procedure, the Criminal Procedure Law and related laws.
More articles on Evidentiary Weight of Documents and Challenging Them
- Article 41
The article gives documents issued under the Notarization Law evidentiary force and the status of an enforceable instrument, and provides they may be annulled only by a court judgment for conflict with Sharia or statutory principles or for forgery, after a fully completed hearing.
الوثائق الصادرة وفق أحكام النظام لها قوة الإثبات، وتعد سنداً تنفيذيًا فيما تضمنته من التزام، ويجب العمل بمضمونها أمام المحاكم بلا بينة إضافية ولا يجوز الطعن فيه
- Article 43
The article bars noting a suspension or restraint on a notarization record, or lifting either, except by an order of the competent court or an authority competent under a statutory provision.
لا يؤشر على وعاء التوثيق بالإيقاف أو التحفظ عليه أو رفعهما إلا بأمر من المحكمة المختصة، أو سلطة مختصة بذلك بموجب نص نظامي.
- Article 44
When the minute of a deed issued by a notary before the Law, or a notarization record, is lost or damaged so its content cannot be known, the minute is re-drawn after the parties' confirmation if the deed matches its basis; otherwise it goes to the competent department.
إذا فقد ضبط صك صادر من كاتب عدل قبل صدور النظام، أو فقد وعاء توثيق، أو تلف أي منهما تلفاً لا يعرف معه مضمونه، فيعاد ضبطه بعد أخذ تصديق ذوي الشأن، متى طابق الصك
- Article 45
The article provides for re-registering a deed issued by a notary before the Law if its register is lost or damaged so its content cannot be known, when the deed matches its basis; otherwise it goes to the competent department.
إذا فقد سجل صك صادر من كاتب عدل قبل صدور النظام، أو تلف تلفاً لا يعرف معه مضمونه، فيعاد تسجيله، متى طابق الصك أساسه المستند إليه، وإلا فيعرض على الإدارة المختصة
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.