How do I file a complaint against a company in Saudi Arabia?

For commercial disputes, file a statement of claim through the Najiz portal (my.gov.sa) by authenticating via Nafath, selecting “File Statement of Claim,” and choosing “Commercial Courts” as the court type. For consumer or regulatory complaints, the Ministry of Commerce operates a separate complaints intake service. If the dispute is purely commercial and exceeds the regulator’s remit, escalate to the Commercial Courts via Najiz.

What are the steps in dispute resolution in Saudi Arabia?

The typical sequence is: (1) negotiation and demand letter, (2) mediation (if contractually required or agreed), (3) arbitration (if the contract contains an arbitration clause), and (4) litigation before the Commercial Courts. Each step should be documented. Many contracts require the parties to attempt at least one ADR method before commencing court proceedings.

What are the four methods of dispute resolution and when should each be used?

Negotiation suits low‑value or relationship‑sensitive disputes. Mediation is effective when both parties are willing to compromise and want a facilitated settlement. Arbitration is preferred for complex or high‑value disputes, cross‑border matters, and contracts that include an arbitration clause. Litigation before the Commercial Courts is appropriate when ADR fails, when binding precedent is needed, or when interim relief is required urgently.

Is Najiz e‑filing better than filing in person at a court?

Najiz e‑filing is not an alternative to court proceedings, it is the electronic channel through which claims are submitted to the courts, including the Commercial Courts. Filing via Najiz is faster (instant submission with case tracking), reduces the risk of lost documents, and provides electronic notifications at each procedural stage. In‑person filing remains possible only in limited, exceptional circumstances.

Can a foreign company file a commercial claim in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. A foreign company may file a commercial claim where the contract designates Saudi jurisdiction, where the defendant is domiciled in Saudi Arabia, or where relevant assets are located in the Kingdom. The foreign claimant must appoint Saudi‑licensed counsel through a properly legalised and Arabic‑translated Power of Attorney. Service and enforcement considerations for cross‑border parties should be addressed with local counsel before filing.

What happens if I miss the statute of limitations or a procedural deadline?

If the limitation period expires before a claim is filed, the Commercial Court will dismiss the claim as time‑barred upon the defendant’s objection. Procedural deadlines set by the judge, for evidence submission, witness statements, or responses, carry consequences including exclusion of late evidence and adverse inferences. If a deadline is at risk, apply promptly for an extension and document the reasons. There is limited judicial discretion to excuse late filing, so calculating limitation periods accurately and filing early is critical.

Do I need a lawyer to file a commercial claim on Najiz?

There is no statutory requirement to retain a lawyer to file a commercial claim, and individuals and company representatives with Nafath credentials may submit claims directly via Najiz. However, given the procedural complexity of Commercial Court proceedings, including evidence rules, Arabic‑language requirements, and the technicalities of interim relief applications, engaging Saudi‑licensed counsel significantly improves the prospects of a successful outcome. Find a Saudi Arabia dispute resolution lawyer to discuss your claim before filing.

How To File A Commercial Claim In Saudi Arabia

Understanding how to file a commercial claim in Saudi Arabia is essential for any business facing a contractual dispute, unpaid trade receivable, or breach of commercial obligation in the Kingdom. The commercial claim process in Saudi Arabia has been substantially reshaped by the Ministry of Justice’s rollout of the Najiz e‑filing platform and associated Nafath single sign‑on authentication, making electronic submission the primary filing channel for Commercial Courts. This guide sets out the full litigation procedure in KSA, from pre‑filing demand letters and ADR options through to Najiz e‑filing, interim relief, hearings, judgment, and enforcement, together with the required documents, costs, key deadlines, and the changes that took effect between 2024 and 2026.

Whether you are a Saudi company, a foreign investor, or in‑house counsel advising on a cross‑border dispute, the procedural sequence below will help you prepare an effective claim.

Overview of the Commercial Claim Process in Saudi Arabia

A “commercial claim” in Saudi Arabia covers disputes arising from commercial contracts, trade transactions, company‑related obligations, negotiable instruments, bankruptcy proceedings, and other matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Commercial Courts established under the Commercial Courts Law (Royal Decree No. M/93). These courts sit within the general judiciary under the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and operate in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and other designated circuits.

The litigation procedure in KSA for commercial matters typically follows a defined sequence: the claimant sends a demand letter, attempts alternative dispute resolution (ADR) where required or advisable, prepares pleadings and evidence, files the claim electronically via the Najiz portal, serves the defendant, participates in case‑management and evidence hearings, and, if successful, enforces the judgment through the Execution Courts. At every stage, the Najiz e‑filing procedure now governs document submission, notification, and case tracking.

When to Choose Litigation vs ADR

Before filing with the Commercial Courts, claimants should evaluate whether negotiation, mediation, or arbitration might resolve the dispute more efficiently. The mediation process in Saudi Arabia has expanded through MOJ‑accredited mediation centres and contractual mediation clauses. Arbitration, governed by the Saudi Arbitration Law (Royal Decree No. M/34), is particularly common in construction, joint‑venture, and international trade disputes. Litigation remains the appropriate route when ADR fails, when precautionary (interim) relief is needed urgently, when a binding court judgment is required for enforcement, or when the opposing party refuses to participate in ADR.

Eligibility and Prerequisites for Filing a Commercial Claim

The following parties may file a commercial claim before the Commercial Courts:

Saudi‑registered companies and merchants. Any entity holding a valid Commercial Registration (CR) issued by the Ministry of Commerce may file claims arising from commercial activities.
Foreign companies with a Saudi nexus. Foreign entities may file where the contract designates Saudi jurisdiction, where the defendant is domiciled in Saudi Arabia, or where assets subject to the dispute are located in the Kingdom. Foreign claimants typically need a locally notarised Power of Attorney (POA) appointing Saudi‑licensed counsel or a legal representative.
Creditors and suppliers. Parties owed money under commercial invoices, supply agreements, or negotiable instruments may initiate claims directly.

Before filing, confirm that the dispute falls within Commercial Court jurisdiction rather than the General Courts, Labour Courts, or specialised committees. Certain contracts may include mandatory ADR clauses or require a preliminary complaint to the Ministry of Commerce. Where the contract mandates mediation or arbitration as a precondition, courts may decline to hear the claim until that step has been completed or waived.

How to File a Commercial Claim in Saudi Arabia: Step‑by‑Step Procedure

The core of the commercial claim process in Saudi Arabia follows the procedural stages outlined below. The timeline table summarises each step, the responsible party, and typical duration before the detailed walkthrough.

Step	Who Does It	Typical Duration
1. Send demand letter / attempt ADR	Claimant / Counsel	7–21 days
2. Prepare statement of claim & documents	Claimant / Counsel	3–14 days
3. Submit claim via Najiz e‑filing & pay fees	Claimant / Counsel (Najiz via Nafath)	Instant submission; intake acknowledgement 1–7 days
4. Service of claim on defendant	Court / Claimant (via Najiz / registered mail)	3–21 days
5. Preliminary hearing / case management	Commercial Court	14–60 days from service
6. Evidence stage (document production, witnesses, experts)	Parties	1–3 months (simple) to 6–12 months (complex)
7. Interim relief hearing (if requested)	Court (urgent)	1–14 days for hearing; order may be immediate
8. Final hearing & judgment	Commercial Court	3–12 months from filing (typical)
9. Appeal (if any)	Appellant	30 days to file from judgment date
10. Enforcement / execution of judgment	Judgment creditor (Execution Courts)	1–8 weeks

Step 1: Send a Demand Letter and Attempt Pre‑Litigation ADR

Issue a formal demand letter to the opposing party setting out the facts, the legal basis for the claim, the amount or remedy sought, and a reasonable deadline for response (typically 14–21 days). The letter should be sent by registered mail or other traceable method and retained as evidence. Where the contract includes a mediation or negotiation clause, engage in that process and document the outcome. Even where ADR is not contractually mandated, evidence of a good‑faith attempt to resolve the dispute strengthens the claimant’s position before the court and may satisfy judicial expectations for pre‑filing conciliation.

Step 2: File the Claim via the Najiz E‑Filing Procedure

The Najiz portal, accessible through the National Platform (my.gov.sa), is the primary channel for filing commercial claims electronically with Saudi courts. The Najiz e‑filing procedure follows this sequence:

Authenticate via Nafath SSO. Log in to the Najiz portal using your Nafath (National Single Sign‑On) credentials. Corporate representatives must use the authorised signatory’s credentials or an appointed legal representative with a registered POA.
Select “Judiciary Services” and then “File Statement of Claim.” Navigate to the judiciary package within the portal and choose the option to file a new statement of claim.
Select “Commercial Courts” as the court type. Specify the circuit (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, etc.) corresponding to the defendant’s domicile or the contractual jurisdiction.
Complete the claim form. Enter the claimant and defendant details (names, CR numbers, addresses), the subject of the claim, the legal grounds, and the relief sought (monetary amount, specific performance, or other remedy).
Upload supporting documents. Attach all documents in PDF format. Ensure non‑Arabic documents are accompanied by certified Arabic translations. Organise attachments chronologically, contracts first, then correspondence, invoices, and evidence of payment or breach.
Pay applicable court fees. The portal will calculate the filing fee based on the claim value. Complete the payment electronically through the integrated payment gateway.
Receive submission confirmation and case number. Upon successful submission, Najiz generates a case reference number and an electronic receipt. The court’s intake department reviews the filing and issues an acknowledgement, typically within 1–7 days.

If the claim is incomplete or documents are missing, the intake department will return the file electronically with a request for correction. Monitor the Najiz dashboard for notifications. In‑person filing may remain available in limited circumstances, for example, where technical issues prevent e‑filing or where a party does not have Nafath access, but the Najiz e‑filing procedure is the standard channel for Commercial Courts.

Step 3: Request Interim (Precautionary) Relief

Where there is a risk that the defendant may dissipate assets, destroy evidence, or take action that would render a future judgment unenforceable, the claimant may apply for interim relief from Saudi courts. Precautionary measures include asset‑freezing orders, travel bans, attachment of bank accounts, and orders to preserve evidence. The application is typically filed alongside or immediately after the main claim via Najiz, supported by an affidavit setting out the urgency and the risk of prejudice. The court may hear the application on an expedited basis, in some cases within days, and may require the claimant to post a security bond or undertaking to compensate the defendant if the relief is later found to have been unwarranted.

Step 4: Serve the Claim on the Defendant

Once the Commercial Court accepts the claim, service of process is effected on the defendant. Service may be electronic (through the defendant’s registered Najiz account or email), by registered mail to the defendant’s trade address, or, where the defendant is outside Saudi Arabia, through diplomatic channels or as specified by applicable treaties. The claimant should ensure the defendant’s correct registered address is provided at filing to avoid delays. Service on a foreign defendant can take significantly longer, potentially 21 days or more.

Step 5: Attend Case Management Hearings, Exchange Evidence, and Proceed to Final Hearing

After service, the court schedules a preliminary case‑management hearing, usually 14–60 days from the date of service. At this hearing, the judge confirms jurisdiction, identifies the issues in dispute, sets a timetable for evidence exchange, and may encourage settlement. The evidence stage involves submission of documentary evidence, witness statements, and, where the court deems it necessary, appointment of court‑appointed experts (e.g., forensic accountants or engineers). Hearings are conducted in Arabic. Parties represented by counsel must ensure their advocates are licensed to appear before Saudi courts. The commercial dispute timeline in Saudi Arabia varies considerably: straightforward debt‑recovery claims may reach judgment within three to six months, while complex multi‑party or cross‑border disputes can take twelve months or longer.

Step 6: Enforce the Judgment

A final judgment from the Commercial Court becomes enforceable once the appeal period expires (30 days from notification of the judgment) or once the appellate court affirms the decision. Enforcement is handled by the Execution Courts, a division of the general judiciary. The judgment creditor files an execution request, also via Najiz, attaching the enforceable judgment. The Execution Court may order seizure of bank accounts, attachment of real property, garnishment of receivables, or travel bans against the judgment debtor. Where the debtor is a company, enforcement may also involve freezing the company’s CR or preventing it from entering new contracts until the debt is satisfied.

Documents Needed to File a Commercial Claim

The documents needed to file a claim must be assembled before initiating the Najiz e‑filing procedure. The table below provides a consolidated checklist with notes on format, issuing authority, and requirements specific to foreign claimants.

Document	Notes
Statement of claim	Drafted pleading stating facts, legal grounds, and relief sought. Upload as PDF to Najiz, signed by the claimant or authorised counsel.
Commercial Registration (CR) copy	Issued by the Ministry of Commerce. Certified copy required for corporate claimants. Translate to Arabic if issued in another language.
Contracts and annexes	Underlying agreements, purchase orders, delivery receipts. PDF format, bundled chronologically.
Invoices, payment proofs, bank statements	Evidence of the amount due or paid. Include originals or attested copies where possible.
Power of Attorney (POA)	Required if filing through counsel. Must be notarised; foreign POAs require consular legalisation and certified Arabic translation.
ID or passport of claimant / authorised signatory	National ID (for Saudi nationals) or passport copy (for foreign individuals). Translate if not in Arabic.
Demand letters and ADR correspondence	Evidence of pre‑litigation steps, emails, negotiation records, mediation outcome letters.
Defendant’s service address	Trade or registered address from CR records. For foreign defendants, include commercial agent details if available.
Board resolutions / financial statements	Required for corporate claims needing internal board approval to litigate.
Affidavit of claim (for interim relief)	Sworn statement before a competent authority, setting out urgency and risk of prejudice. Translated to Arabic.
Certified Arabic translations	All non‑Arabic documents must be translated by a certified translator and the translation authenticated.

When uploading to Najiz, ensure each file is clearly labelled and within any size limits imposed by the portal. Incomplete uploads are the most common reason for intake rejection.

Commercial Dispute Timeline in Saudi Arabia: Key Deadlines

Statutory limitation periods, appeal windows, and procedural deadlines are critical to the commercial claim process in Saudi Arabia. The most important deadlines are as follows:

Statute of limitations. The Commercial Courts Law, Article 24 provides that commercial claims are barred if not filed within the limitation period prescribed by the applicable substantive law. For many commercial obligations, the default limitation period is five years from the date the cause of action accrues, though shorter periods may apply to specific instruments (e.g., cheques, bills of exchange) or contracts with bespoke limitation clauses.
Appeal window. A party wishing to appeal a Commercial Court judgment must file the appeal within 30 days from the date of notification of the judgment. Failure to file within this window renders the judgment final and enforceable.
Service deadlines. The court will typically allow the claimant a defined period to complete service on the defendant. If service cannot be effected within the allotted time, particularly for foreign defendants, the claimant should apply for an extension or alternative service methods.
Procedural deadlines set by the judge. At the case‑management hearing, the judge sets deadlines for submitting evidence, witness statements, and expert reports. Missing these deadlines may result in evidence being excluded or adverse inferences drawn.

Limitation periods are calculated from the date the claimant knew or ought to have known of the breach or loss. Where there is any doubt about the accrual date, for example, in latent defect or fraud cases, early legal advice is essential to preserve the right to file.

Costs to File a Commercial Claim in Saudi Arabia

The costs to file a claim vary depending on the claim amount, the complexity of the dispute, and the enforcement measures required. The table below provides indicative ranges. All figures are estimates and should be verified against the current MOJ fee schedule before filing.

Item	Amount (Typical Estimate)	Notes
Najiz e‑filing / court filing fee	Varies by claim value (percentage or fixed band per MOJ schedule)	Calculated automatically by Najiz at submission. Check the current MOJ fee schedule for exact amounts.
Service / notification fees	SAR 50 – 500 (estimate)	Depends on electronic vs registered‑mail service.
Certified translation	SAR 100 – 500 per document (estimate)	Required for all non‑Arabic documents. Cost varies by translator and document length.
Notarisation / consular legalisation	SAR 200 – 2,000 (estimate)	For foreign POAs and corporate documents. Varies by issuing country and consulate fees.
Counsel fees (litigation)	SAR 20,000 – 200,000+	Highly variable by claim complexity, firm, and duration. Obtain a detailed fee estimate before engagement.
Interim relief bond / security	Set by the court on a case‑by‑case basis	May be required as a condition of granting precautionary measures.
Enforcement / execution fees	SAR 500 – 20,000 (estimate)	Depends on the type of enforcement (bank garnishment, asset seizure, etc.).

VAT at the standard rate may apply to professional service fees (counsel, translation). Government court fees are generally exempt from VAT but this should be confirmed with the service provider.

What Changed in 2024–2026: Najiz E‑Filing and Commercial Courts Updates

The period from 2024 to 2026 brought several significant changes to how commercial claims are filed and managed in Saudi Arabia:

Mandatory Najiz e‑filing. The Ministry of Justice progressively extended mandatory electronic filing via the Najiz portal to all Commercial Court circuits. Early indications suggest that in‑person filing is now available only in exceptional circumstances, such as documented technical failure of the platform.
Nafath single sign‑on integration. Authentication for all court e‑services now routes through Nafath, the national digital identity system, streamlining access but requiring all filers, including foreign representatives, to hold valid digital credentials.
Enhanced case‑management procedures. Commercial Courts have adopted more structured case‑management timelines, with judges setting binding deadlines for evidence exchange at the first hearing. Industry observers expect this to reduce average case duration for straightforward claims.
Electronic service and notification. Service of process is increasingly effected through the defendant’s registered Najiz account or verified email address, reducing reliance on physical registered mail and shortening service timescales.

Practitioners should monitor MOJ announcements for any further amendments to the Commercial Courts Law or its executive regulations, as the Kingdom’s judicial modernisation programme continues to evolve.

Common Pitfalls When Filing a Commercial Claim, and How to Avoid Them

Incomplete Najiz uploads. Missing or improperly formatted attachments are the leading cause of intake rejection. Run through the documents checklist above before submitting and ensure every file is in PDF format with a clear label.
Defective Power of Attorney. Foreign claimants frequently submit POAs that lack proper consular legalisation or certified Arabic translation. Have the POA reviewed by Saudi‑licensed counsel before filing.
Wrong court or jurisdiction. Filing with the General Courts instead of the Commercial Courts, or selecting the wrong circuit, delays the claim. Confirm jurisdiction against the Commercial Courts Law before submission.
Missed limitation period. The statute of limitations for commercial claims runs silently. Calculate the accrual date carefully and file well within the limitation window. If the deadline is approaching, filing a protective claim preserves the right even while ADR continues.
Failure to authenticate via Nafath. New users, especially foreign representatives, may not have Nafath credentials configured. Set up digital identity access well before the planned filing date.
Poor evidence organisation. Courts expect documents bundled chronologically with an index. Disorganised evidence slows proceedings and weakens the claimant’s credibility.
Neglecting interim relief. Waiting until after the main hearing to seek asset‑freezing orders may be too late. Apply for precautionary measures at or immediately after filing if there is a genuine risk of asset dissipation.

Need Legal Advice?

This article was produced by Global Law Experts. For specialist advice on this topic, contact Mohammed Al-Soaib at Al-soaib & Partners Law Firm, a member of the Global Law Experts network.