The Implementing Regulation of the Commercial Courts Law, issued by the Minister of Justice, sets the procedure for commercial cases in Saudi Arabia: notice before filing, registration, the preparatory hearing, maximum time limits, small claims, payment orders and when a lawyer is mandatory. Here are the key rules with article numbers, based on the updated edition of the Law and Regulation published by the Saudi Judicial Scientific Society (Qadha).
Reviewed by: Khaled ElnaggarDirector of USUS Law FirmLast updated:
Key rules
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Notice before filing | Written demand to the defendant at least 15 days before filing (Law Art. 19), in all cases except the exempt ones (Reg. Art. 69) |
| Preparatory hearing | Within 20 days of registration (Reg. Art. 79) |
| Maximum time to decide | 180 days at first instance (except small claims), 20 days for appeals without pleading, 90 days for appeals with pleading (Reg. Art. 38) |
| Small claims | Claims up to SAR 1 million in the listed types, except construction contracts; decided within 90 days of registration, or 30 if memoranda were exchanged first; mediation of up to 15 days comes first (Reg. Arts. 237–240) |
| Mandatory lawyer | Claims above SAR 10 million in some types, above SAR 2 million in others, and requests to open financial reorganisation (Reg. Art. 53) |
| Payment orders | Not accepted if the debtor lives outside the Kingdom, or for mutual obligations without written proof the creditor performed (Reg. Arts. 184–185) |
Exempt from the pre-filing notice
Cases on penalties under commercial laws, cases where a government body is a party, small claims and urgent requests, among others (Reg. Art. 69). Proof of an attempted amicable settlement counts as notice (Reg. Art. 71).
Frequently asked questions
How long does a commercial case take?
The Regulation's maximum is 180 days at first instance (90 for small claims), 20 or 90 days on appeal, unless a special rule applies.
When must I use a lawyer?
In large claims above SAR 10 million or SAR 2 million depending on type, and in financial reorganisation requests.
Usus Law Firm handles commercial disputes from notice and settlement to judgment and enforcement. See our commercial lawyer in Riyadh.
Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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