Litigation

About Litigation

How to file a lawsuit in Saudi Arabia through Najiz — step-by-step guide to claim forms, court procedures, and appeals.

Our licensed Saudi lawyers handle Litigation cases daily across all Saudi regions. We provide clear, practical guidance through Saudi Arabia's legal system — whether you need advice, documentation support, or court representation.

Litigation in Saudi Courts — A Complete Practical Guide

Saudi Arabia's judicial system has been transformed through the Najiz digital platform. Filing lawsuits, tracking hearings, and attending court sessions can all be managed electronically. But the substance — correctly drafting the Statement of Claim — remains the single most important determinant of success.

Identifying the Correct Court

Filing in the wrong court produces automatic dismissal and potentially missed limitation periods. General Courts handle civil and criminal matters not assigned to a specialist court. Personal Status Courts handle marriage, divorce, custody, and inheritance. Commercial Courts handle business and company disputes. Execution Courts enforce final judgments only. Labor Courts handle employment and kafala disputes. The Board of Grievances handles any dispute where a government entity is a party — an entirely separate court system from ordinary courts.

Drafting the Statement of Claim — The Foundation of Your Case

The Statement of Claim must contain: complete legal identification of all parties with national ID or commercial registration numbers; the factual narrative in precise chronological order; the legal grounds for your claim identifying which law and which article; a comprehensive list of all attached documents; and your specific requests stated with absolute precision. The difference between seeking justice and seeking a judgment ordering the defendant to pay SAR 350,000 representing the unpaid balance under the Supply Agreement dated the fifteenth of January is the difference between a procedurally strong filing and a weak one opponents can exploit.

Filing via Najiz

Log in to Najiz, select Judicial Services, then File New Lawsuit. Select the case type and correct court. Enter party information exactly — errors in national ID numbers cause notification failures. Attach all documents in the required format. Pay fees electronically. A hearing date is assigned within days. Track everything through My Cases.

How Saudi Hearings Proceed

Saudi litigation is primarily written. The first hearing establishes parties and initial positions. Subsequent sessions involve formal written brief exchanges. The evidence phase follows: documents formally entered, witnesses heard, court-appointed experts engaged for technical or financial questions. After closing arguments, judgment issues. A simple commercial case: four to eight months. Complex matters: a year or more.

The 30-Day Appeal Deadline

You have exactly 30 calendar days from the judgment date to file an appeal. This deadline is absolute — it is essentially never waived regardless of circumstances. Consult a lawyer the day you receive any adverse ruling. Do not wait even one day.