Filing a lawsuit on Najiz (the Ministry of Justice e-services platform) is now the normal way to start any court case in Saudi Arabia: from home, without visiting a court, using your Nafath account (the national unified sign-in). But an easy process doesn't mean easy content. The statement of claim (صحيفة الدعوى) you write is the foundation of your whole case. This guide covers the steps of filing on Najiz, how to write a clear statement of claim, and what happens after you submit it.
Before you start: prepare these
- The defendant's details: name and national ID, Iqama or commercial registration number, and address if available.
- Documents: the contract, correspondence, receipts, previous judgments and any evidence supporting your claim.
- The competent court, by type and location. Read about jurisdiction in our guide to the Law of Procedure before Sharia Courts.
- Does your dispute need an earlier stage first? Labour cases, for example, first go through amicable settlement.
Steps to file a lawsuit on Najiz
- Log in to Najiz with your Nafath account.
- Choose the service for submitting a statement of claim, then the type and category of the case.
- Enter your details, the defendant's details, and your capacity (principal or agent).
- Write the facts, requests and grounds in the fields provided.
- Attach clear, well-organised documents.
- Review the statement, submit it and keep the request number.
After submission, the statement is reviewed and may be returned to you to complete missing information. Once registered, a hearing date is set, both parties are notified, and you receive notifications through Najiz.
The platform, the statement of claim and the hearings are all in Arabic, so documents in another language need an Arabic translation.
How to write a strong statement of claim
| Section | What to write | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Facts | What happened, in date order, in short sentences, with dates and amounts | Going on at length, writing emotionally, and mentioning things unrelated to the claim |
| Requests | Exactly what you want the court to order: payment of a specific sum, delivery, or termination | General requests such as "give me justice" or "get my rights back" |
| Grounds | The documents and evidence, and the legal provisions you rely on | Referring to documents that are not attached |
Golden rule: the court does not award more than you asked for. If you forget a request in the statement, such as compensation or overdue rent, you may lose it.
After filing
- Check Najiz regularly: dates, requests and memoranda arrive through it.
- Many hearings are held remotely, so make sure your technical setup is ready before the hearing.
- Missing a hearing without an excuse may lead to the case being struck out; you can apply to resume it under the law.
- After the judgment, watch the challenge period: thirty days as a general rule.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file a lawsuit on behalf of someone else?
Yes, under a valid power of attorney that authorises the agent to litigate. Its number is entered when filing.
How do I check the status of my statement of claim after submitting it?
Through the requests section in Najiz, which shows the status: under review, returned for completion, or registered with a hearing date.
Are all lawsuits filed through Najiz?
Most cases before the general, personal status, labour and commercial courts are filed online. Some bodies, such as the Board of Grievances (the administrative judiciary), have their own platforms.
Want a professionally written statement of claim?
The Usus Law Firm team writes statements of claim and memoranda and follows the case through to judgment and enforcement, in general court cases and other matters, from Riyadh and Tabuk. We can advise you in English.
Read also: Statement of claim template, ready to copy.
Read also: Which court handles my case?
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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