Article 57 of the Saudi Law of Procedure before the Board of Grievances
المادة 57 من نظام المرافعات أمام ديوان المظالم · الفصل الرابع: الاعتراض أمام المحكمة الإدارية العليا
The Article allows the circuit to hear the statements of the parties to the objection if it finds oral argument necessary, with no new grounds except those relating to public order, and exceptionally allows supplementary memoranda.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا رأت الدائرة المختصة ضرورة المرافعة الشفهية، فلها أن تسمع أقوال أطراف الاعتراض، ولا يجوز إبداء أسباب شفهية في الجلسة غير الأسباب التي سبق للأطراف بيانها في الأوراق، ما لم تكن متعلقة بالنظام العام.
2- يجوز للدائرة - استثناءً - أن تأذن لأطراف الاعتراض بإيداع مذكرات تكميلية إذا رأت بعد اطلاعها على الدعوى أن الفصل فيها يتطلب ذلك، وحينئذ يؤجل نظر الاعتراض إلى جلسة أخرى، وتحدد الدائرة المواعيد التي يجب إيداع تلك المذكرات فيها.
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 57 explained in plain English
Under Article 56 the default is that the Supreme Administrative Court decides the objection without oral argument. This Article sets out two exceptions:
- Oral argument (paragraph 1): If the competent circuit finds oral argument necessary, it may hear the statements of the parties to the objection. But no oral grounds may be raised at the session other than those already stated in the papers, unless they relate to public order.
- Supplementary memoranda (paragraph 2): The circuit may, exceptionally, authorize the parties to lodge supplementary memoranda if, after reviewing the case, it finds that deciding it requires this. In that event, the hearing of the objection is adjourned to another session, and the circuit sets the deadlines for lodging those memoranda.
It is clear that the decision in both cases belongs to the circuit, not the parties, since the text ties them to its assessment of necessity. Oral argument is also not an opportunity to raise new grounds: the grounds remain limited to what is stated in the papers, except those relating to public order.
The deadlines for supplementary memoranda are set by the circuit itself. If the circuit ends by setting the judgment aside, Article 58 explains the consequences.
To prepare for a session that may include oral argument, you can engage a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases before the Board of Grievances.
Practical example
In an objection between an employee and his employer entity, the circuit found that deciding it required clarifying a point in the documents. It authorized both parties to lodge supplementary memoranda, adjourned the hearing of the objection to another session, and set the deadline for lodging the memoranda.
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 57 of the Saudi Law of Procedure before the Board of Grievances
Can the parties argue orally before the Supreme Administrative Court?
Yes. If the competent circuit finds oral argument necessary, it may hear the statements of the parties.
Can new grounds be raised at the session?
No oral grounds may be raised other than those already stated in the papers, unless they relate to public order.
When are supplementary memoranda allowed?
Exceptionally, if the circuit finds after reviewing the case that deciding it requires them, and it sets their deadlines.
More articles on Objection before the Supreme Administrative Court
- Article 35
The article provides that the administrative courts' procedures apply to an objection before the administrative courts of appeal and the Supreme Administrative Court where there is no specific provision.
فيما لم يرد فيه نص خاص، تسري على الاعتراض أمام محاكم الاستئناف الإدارية والمحكمة الإدارية العليا الإجراءات المقررة أمام المحاكم الإدارية.
- Article 45
The Article explains how to file an objection before the Supreme Administrative Court by a statement lodged with the Administrative Court of Appeal that issued the judgment, and limits the grounds to those in the statement, except public-order grounds.
يرفع الاعتراض أمام المحكمة الإدارية العليا بصحيفة يودعها المعترض أو مَنْ يمثله لدى محكمة الاستئناف الإدارية التي أصدرت الحكم، وفقاً للإجراءات المقررة لرفع الدعو
- Article 46
The Article specifies the documents that must accompany an objection statement before the Supreme Administrative Court: proof of the representative's capacity, copies of the statement, copies of the judgments, and supporting documents.
يجب أن يرافق صحيفة الاعتراض الآتي: 1 - صورة من الوثيقة التي تثبت صفة ممثل المعترض. 2 - صور من صحيفة الاعتراض بعدد المعترض ضدهم. 3 - الصورة المسلمة إليه من الحكم
- Article 47
The Article requires the Administrative Court of Appeal to send the objection file to the Supreme Administrative Court by the next day at the latest, and allows the Supreme Court to join the case file.
يجب على الإدارة المختصة في محكمة الاستئناف الإدارية أن ترسل ملف الاعتراض إلى المحكمة الإدارية العليا في اليوم التالي على الأكثر من تاريخ استيفاء إجراءات طلب الا
- Article 48
The Article provides that the competent department of the Supreme Administrative Court registers the objection on the day it arrives, and that the opposing party is notified of the objection statement.
تقيد الإدارة المختصة في المحكمة الإدارية العليا الاعتراض يوم وصوله إليها، ويبلغ المعترض ضده بصحيفة الاعتراض.
- Article 49
The Article provides that an objection before the Supreme Administrative Court does not stay execution of the judgment except by its order under conditions, while an objection to a judgment dismissing an employee stays its execution.
لا يترتب على الاعتراض أمام المحكمة الإدارية العليا وقف تنفيذ الحكم. على أنه يجوز للمحكمة أن تأمر بوقف تنفيذه إذا طلب ذلك في صحيفة الاعتراض، وقدرت أن تنفيذه يرتب
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.