The courts shall apply the provisions of Islamic Sharia to the cases presented before them, in accordance with what is indicated by the Quran and Sunnah, and the regulations issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques that do not conflict with the Quran and Sunnah, and shall adhere in their procedures to what is stipulated in this Law.

• The provisions of this Law shall apply to lawsuits that have not been adjudicated and procedures that have not been completed before its effective date, except for the following:

  • A- The articles amending jurisdiction concerning lawsuits filed before the effective date of this Law.

  • B- The articles amending deadlines concerning the period that commenced before the effective date of this Law.

  • C- The provisions establishing or abolishing methods of objection under this Law concerning final judgments issued before the effective date of this Law.

Any procedural action carried out correctly under an applicable law remains valid, unless otherwise stipulated in this law.

No claim or defense shall be accepted unless the claimant has a legitimate existing interest therein; however, a potential interest is sufficient if the purpose of the claim is to safeguard against imminent harm or to secure a right that is feared to lose its evidence in the event of a contest. If the judge finds that the claim is fictitious, he must reject it, and he has the authority to rule against the plaintiff with a penalty.

The lawsuit may be accepted from at least three citizens in matters of public interest if there is no official authority in the country responsible for that interest.

The procedure shall be null and void if the law stipulates its nullity, or if it is flawed by a defect that causes the purpose of the procedure to fail. Nullity shall not be ruled despite its stipulation if it is proven that the purpose of the procedure has been achieved.

A clerk must be present with the Judge in the sessions and in all procedures of the case to draft the server process and sign it with the Judge. If the attendance of the clerk is not possible, the Judge may undertake the procedure and draft the server process.

Bailiffs, clerks, and other judicial assistants are not permitted to perform any work within the scope of their duties in cases involving themselves, their spouses, their relatives, or their in-laws up to the fourth degree; otherwise, such work shall be null and void.

The periods and deadlines stipulated in this law are calculated according to the Umm al-Qura calendar. The sunset of each day is considered its end.