Not every harm is lost money. Damage to your reputation, psychological pain after an accident, or defamation online are all moral damages. With the Civil Transactions Law, compensation for moral damage is now expressly provided for, after long being a matter of judicial discretion. Here is when you are entitled to it, how to prove it, and how the court assesses it.
Material and moral damage
| Material damage | Moral damage | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A financial loss or lost earnings | Harm to feelings, reputation, dignity or mental state |
| Examples | Medical costs, a damaged car, a lost deal | Defamation, insult, psychological pain after an accident or medical error |
| Assessment | By documents and invoices | By the court, in light of the circumstances and the seriousness of the harm |
Conditions for compensation
- A fault or harmful act by the defendant.
- Real moral harm to you, not passing annoyance.
- A causal link between the act and the harm.
- A claim filed before the competent court within the legal period.
How do you prove moral damage?
- The content of the insult or defamation and how widely it spread (screenshots, links, witnesses).
- Medical or psychological reports where there is a health effect.
- The effect on your work, relationships or standing.
- A prior criminal judgment if there is one, such as in defamation and insult.
Where does moral damage usually arise?
- Defamation, slander and online abuse.
- Car accidents and injuries. Read car accidents and compensation.
- Medical errors. Read medical errors in Saudi Arabia.
- Serious breaches of contract that harm a business's reputation.
For the legal basis read the Civil Transactions Law explained. Check the current official text of the articles on compensation.
Frequently asked questions
How much is compensation for moral damage?
There is no fixed table; the court assesses it according to the seriousness of the harm, the parties' circumstances and the evidence.
Can material and moral compensation be combined?
Yes, if each is proved.
Does the right to moral compensation pass to the heirs?
The law has specific rules on its transfer and on compensating relatives for grief caused by a death; ask about your case specifically.
Have you suffered harm or abuse?
The Usus Law Firm team handles compensation claims within general court cases: assessing the harm, gathering the evidence and claiming it, in Riyadh and Tabuk.
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: 12 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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