The case is filed via the Ministry of Justice’s Najiz platform by going to Judicial Services, creating a new Statement of Claim, entering the plaintiff and defendant details, attaching supporting documents, and submitting electronically. It is then routed to the competent court and assigned a reference number for follow-up.
Common Legal Questions
Personal Status Courts handle family matters such as divorce, custody, and alimony. Criminal Courts handle crimes and penalties. Commercial Courts hear commercial disputes, companies, and bankruptcy. Labor Courts handle employment disputes. Enforcement Courts execute enforceable instruments and related disputes. General Courts hear matters not within the specialized courts’ jurisdiction.
Submit via Najiz a Statement of Claim for divorce or annulment, attaching the marriage contract and reasons (e.g., defect, harm, or non-maintenance). The court rules on divorce and related matters (alimony, custody, visitation), and may first refer the case to the Taradhi platform for reconciliation.
As a rule, custody is for the mother so long as she is fit. If proven otherwise, she loses custody. The primary criterion is the best interest of the child, and custody may shift if the court deems it appropriate.
Custody lapses if the custodian loses capacity, neglects care, or exposes the child to risk. It then transfers to the next in order under the law, always considering the child’s best interest.
Alimony covers food, clothing, housing, healthcare, and education, and is assessed based on the husband’s means (affluent or insolvent).
A child’s lineage to the mother is established by birth; to the father if born during a valid marriage, by acknowledgement, or by evidence. DNA testing may be used when needed. A parentage claim is filed before the Personal Status Court with relevant documents and indicia, and the court issues a final judgment.
For fixed-term contracts, the worker is entitled to wages for the remaining term. For indefinite contracts, the worker is entitled to 15 days’ wages for each year of service, plus end-of-service award, unused leave pay, and a service certificate. Claims are filed via the Labor Office then the Labor Court.
It is calculated as half a month’s wage for each of the first five years and one month’s wage for each subsequent year, based on the last wage. If employment ends by resignation: one-third after ≥2 and <5 years; two-thirds after ≥5 and <10 years; full award after ≥10 years.
If the worker is subject to probation, it must be expressly stated in the contract with a clear duration, not exceeding 180 days in total. Either party may terminate during this period.
Each hour worked outside official hours is paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic wage.
The worker is entitled to annual leave of at least 21 days, increasing to at least 30 days after five years’ service with the employer. Sick leave up to 120 days per year upon proof: 30 days full pay, then 60 days at three-quarters pay, then 30 days unpaid.
A check is an enforceable instrument if it meets its conditions; it may be filed directly with the Enforcement Court. Issuing a check without funds is a criminal offense punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment and/or a fine up to SAR 50,000.
Salary garnishment requires an Enforcement Judge’s order. Up to half the salary may be garnished for alimony cases and up to one-third for other debts.
If the debt is evidenced by an enforceable instrument (e.g., promissory note or notarized acknowledgement), you may proceed directly to enforcement. Otherwise, first file a lawsuit to establish the debt, then request enforcement after judgment.
Online defamation/abuse is a cybercrime punishable by imprisonment and fines. Report via the “Kolonna Amn” app or Absher, attaching digital evidence.
Photography itself is not a crime; however, publishing or exploiting images in a way that violates privacy or harms individuals is a cybercrime subject to penalty.
Extortion using images/data or threatening to publish them for gain is a cybercrime punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a fine up to SAR 500,000. Report immediately via official channels.
Recording without the other party’s consent can be a privacy violation if used for publication or harm. Admissibility depends on the court’s discretion and the circumstances of obtaining the recording.
Punishment is up to two years’ imprisonment and/or a fine up to SAR 100,000 for anyone committing harassment. Immediate reporting to authorities and preserving evidence is advised.
Public right is society’s interest in enforcing the law and punishing violators; the crime is an assault on public order and security, not merely the victim. The Public Prosecution represents it, aiming to deter and protect society. Examples include theft, murder, bribery, assault on a public official, and drug crimes. Public right does not lapse by the victim’s waiver; even if private right is waived, the Public Prosecution proceeds with public right.
Private right is the victim’s right to retribution or compensation for material/moral harm. It is pursued by the victim, heirs, or attorney. Its aim is to remedy the harm (e.g., blood money for manslaughter, damages for defamation, retribution in intentional homicide/assault). Private right lapses by waiver or settlement.
An administrative decision is valid and effective when its legal pillars are met, summarized in five elements:
Competence: Issued by an authority legally empowered within its geographic, subject-matter, and temporal limits; excess renders it void.
Form and procedure: Must follow required formalities (e.g., in writing, reasoned, prior consultation). Omission may void the decision.
Cause: Based on correct facts and legal grounds existing at issuance, sufficient to justify it.
Object: The legal effect created must be lawful and legally possible.
Purpose: Must serve the public interest; deviation for personal/political/retaliatory motives vitiates it.
Yes. Unlawful administrative decisions may be challenged via an annulment suit before Administrative Courts for defects of legality (competence, form, cause, object, purpose).
Conditions for admissibility of annulment:
Standing/interest: The plaintiff must have a direct, personal interest and be harmed by the decision.
Final administrative act: The impugned act must be a final administrative decision, not a mere recommendation or preparatory step.
Time limit: File within the statutory period, typically 60 days from knowledge (publication, notification, or certain knowledge).
Online extortion is a serious crime involving the use of IT means to threaten or coerce someone to act or refrain, even if the aim is not achieved.
The penalty is up to one year in prison and/or a fine up to SAR 500,000.
Yes. Producing, sending, or storing content that harms public order, religious values, public morals, privacy, or national security is a crime.
Penalty: up to five years’ imprisonment and/or a fine up to SAR 3,000,000.
Type 1: General Partnership
A commercial company formed by two or more persons. All partners have unlimited, joint, and several personal liability for company debts and acquire trader status.
Type 2: Simple Limited Partnership
Combines two partner classes: general partners with unlimited personal liability, and limited partners liable only up to their capital contributions and not traders.
Type 3: Joint Stock Company
Established by one or more natural or legal persons; capital is divided into tradable shares. Only the company is liable for its obligations; a shareholder’s liability is limited to the value of subscribed shares.
Type 4: Limited Liability Company
Most common in the Kingdom; formed by one or more natural or legal persons. It has a patrimony separate from that of its partners/owner.
A commercial contract whereby a supplier agrees to deliver specified quantities of goods/products to a buyer under agreed terms of time, quality, price, and delivery.
Common in B2B trade, with detailed provisions to ensure continuity of supply and smooth commercial dealings.
To ensure validity and protect both supplier and buyer, include:
1) Parties: clearly identify supplier and buyer.
2) Goods description: precise types/quantities and required standards/quality.
3) Time terms: delivery dates and timeline for performance.
4) Financial terms: prices, payment methods, credit terms, taxes/fees and who bears them.
5) Delivery/receipt: place/method of delivery and risk allocation during transport.
6) Warranties: quality warranties and buyer’s rights to replace/return defective goods.
7) Penalties/liquidated damages: remedies for delay/non-conformity (penalty clause).
8) Force majeure: events excusing liability (e.g., disasters, major crises).
9) Termination: grounds, procedure, and consequences of termination.
1) Mutual consent
2) Expiry of fixed term (with written consent)
3) Notice for indefinite-term contracts
4) Reaching retirement age
5) Force majeure
6) Permanent closure of the establishment
7) Ending a specific activity within the establishment
8) Resignation
9) Bankruptcy decision/judgment
Other lawful grounds also exist beyond Article 74, including:
1) Cases under Article 81
2) Cases under Article 80
3) Employer’s death
4) Worker’s death
5) Worker’s incapacity
In Islamic law, annulment ends the marriage due to a defect, legal impediment, or valid reason making continuation impossible or impermissible. Annulment is by a judge, under Article 103 of the Personal Status Law: “Every judicial separation is an annulment…”
Conditions for annulment of marriage:
1) A valid marriage
2) A documented marriage contract
3) Marriage still in force
4) A claim filed before the Personal Status Court
5) Recognized grounds for annulment
1) Sanity and maturity
2) Ability to raise the child
3) Free from serious diseases
4) Mother not married to a non-mahram
5) Presence of a female caregiver with the father
Conditions for a bank’s warranty of property defects:
1) Defects must be latent, not apparent
2) Serious defects severely affecting the property’s integrity
3) Buyer was unaware at purchase
4) Buyer did not accept the defects
5) Buyer did not repair the defects/damages
Yes, if the General Court rescinds the contract or the bank agrees to terminate by mutual consent.
It ends after 180 days from handover, except where the seller intentionally concealed the defect to defraud—then the warranty does not lapse (Article 344 of the Civil Transactions Law).
Liability lies with the party from whom the buyer acquired the property, whether the direct seller or the financing bank. Current court practice (1446 AH) tends to allow claims against the original seller rather than the bank, viewing the bank as a financier rather than the true owner.
Nullity may be formal (missing mandatory particulars) or substantive (lack of entitlement to the amount). If the holder is not entitled to the sum, the note is void.
It entitles the holder to apply directly to the Enforcement Court to compel the signatory to pay, with enforcement measures such as service suspension and bank account seizure under Decisions 34 and 46.
Yes—if formal or substantive defects exist.
By the holder’s consent, or by court judgment if the note is invalid or the holder is not entitled.
Missing the filing deadline. The system is strict—being even one day late extinguishes the right to appeal; the judgment becomes final and enforceable.
First, verify the statutory time limit immediately: ordinary cases (30 days) vs. urgent (10 days). Second, identify a legal ground: misapplication of law, ignoring material evidence, etc. Feeling wronged is not enough—state a valid legal reason.
Article 41 of the Anti-Narcotics Law sets imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years, with ancillary penalties (e.g., travel ban for Saudis; deportation for non-Saudis).
Judges have broad discretion based on drug type/quantity, arrest circumstances, and particularly whether it is a first offense.
First-time possession: strong chance of mitigation.
For first-time offenders and with a well-crafted defense tailored to circumstances, courts may go below the 6-month minimum—even to 1–2 months—or suspend execution entirely.
Second offense: is harsher punishment inevitable?
A prior conviction is a ground for aggravation, yet harsher punishment is not automatic; courts still weigh case specifics. Strong advocacy can justify mitigation (time since prior case, social/health factors).
It is an oath directed by a party lacking full proof to the opponent via the court to conclusively resolve the dispute. Conditions include:
1) Dispute concerns a financial dealing
2) Plaintiff requests the opponent to take the oath
3) Oath is taken personally by the addressee
4) Facts sworn to do not violate public order
5) Oath relates to and is determinative of the case
6) Absence of full or partial proof in the case
7) No final judgment has been rendered
8) Stating the facts to be sworn to
9) Oath is administered in the presence of the requesting party
Under the Evidence Law, testimony is inadmissible in certain cases, including:
1) Where the law requires written proof
2) Transactions over SAR 100,000
3) Lack of witness capacity (e.g., insanity)
4) Witness under 15 years of age
5) Witness has an interest (benefit or harm avoidance)
6) Witness is an ascendant of the beneficiary
7) Witness is the spouse of the beneficiary
8) Contradictory testimony by the witness or with another witness
9) Witness does not directly know what they testify about