E-Litigation and Video Hearings: How Can You Follow Your Case from Any Region of the Kingdom?

E-Litigation in Ministry of Justice Courts

The Ministry of Justice's procedural guide to the e-litigation service explains that the service covers two types of hearings: written hearings, in which the parties exchange memoranda and documents and answer the court's inquiries within a period that may extend to 30 days; and video hearings held with audio and video through approved platforms. The service is available to the parties and their representatives and requires an activated account on the National Single Sign-On (Nafath).

Electronic Hearings at the Board of Grievances

The Board of Grievances allows remote attendance of hearings at all its courts through the Moeen platform and the Board's app, free of charge, after logging in via National Single Sign-On and entering the court, circuit, and case number. The service was launched in June 2020.

Electronic Power of Attorney

In most cases, a power of attorney for a lawyer can be issued electronically through the Najiz platform, specifying the powers the matter requires. The client therefore does not need to appear in person to appoint a lawyer in another city.

When Is Personal Attendance Required?

The judicial authority determines how each hearing is conducted, and certain procedures or cases may require personal attendance. Therefore, how attendance will be handled is agreed with the lawyer from the outset within the scope of the engagement.

How Do We Use These Channels to Serve the Regions?

We work from Riyadh and Jazan and serve clients in other regions through these channels: a remote consultation, then electronic review of documents, then an electronic power of attorney, then follow-up through the official platforms. Learn about our Service Areas, including Jeddah and Makkah, the Eastern Province, and Tabuk.

The Moeen Platform at the Board of Grievances: What Does It Offer?

The Moeen platform is the Board of Grievances' electronic portal, through which parties deal with the Administrative Courts without visiting the premises for many procedures. Among the most notable things the Board of Grievances' Moeen platform enables:

• Filing the administrative case electronically in accordance with the legal procedures, and attaching its supporting documents, without needing to visit the court until the first session. The Board of Grievances announced the launch of this service in October 2017.
• Submitting an appeal request against judgments issued in administrative cases electronically, attaching the documents, and following up on the case's progress.
• Attending judicial hearings remotely at the Board's courts, as explained above.

The service is available to the platform's user whether acting on his own behalf or as an agent, and covers individuals as well as representatives of businesses and entities. The Board has published a guide for using the platform's electronic services.

Filing the lawsuit electronically through Najiz

In the Ministry of Justice's courts, the lawsuit is filed through the "Statement of Claim" service on the Najiz platform, which, according to its official page, allows filing lawsuits before the General, Criminal, and Commercial Courts, and the Personal Status and Labor Courts. Its requirements include:

• A valid ID for the claimant.
• A valid power of attorney including the litigation clause if the action is filed by an agent.
• A valid guardianship deed, if submitted by a guardian.
• The national address and identification details of the claimant and the defendant.

The steps begin by logging in to Najiz through National Single Sign-On (Nafath), then selecting the Judiciary package and the statement-of-claim service, entering the case classification and the parties' details, attaching the documents, and submitting. The Ministry explains, in the "Case Journey," that the request goes through a review stage, after which the claimant is notified by text message either with the case number or with a request to complete missing items. If the claim is being filed by a lawyer, first review the electronic power of attorney through Najiz and its terms.

Najiz or Moeen: Where Is the Action Filed?

The e-litigation path is determined by the judicial body with jurisdiction over the dispute. Actions heard by Ministry of Justice courts, such as the General Court, the Commercial Court, the Labor Court, and the personal status courts, are filed through Najiz. Actions within the jurisdiction of the Board of Grievances, such as disputes with government entities and requests to annul administrative decisions, are filed through Moeen before the competent Administrative Court.

An administrative claim is subject to the provisions of the Law of Pleading before the Board of Grievances, which include deadlines for grievance and for filing the claim that vary depending on the type of request; it is therefore advisable to calculate these deadlines from the statutory text before filing. To learn more about the scope of these claims, see the Administrative Cases service.

How to Prepare for Video and Written Hearings?

Video hearings differ from attending in the courtroom only in the medium; the procedural discipline is the same. Practical preparations include:

• Activating the National Single Sign-On (Nafath) account and making sure you can log in well before the session's scheduled time.
• A device with a camera and microphone, a stable connection, and a quiet location.
• Preparing the ID, the case number, and the particulars of the court and panel.
• Organizing documents into clearly named electronic files makes them easier to present when requested.
• In written sessions, preparing the memorandum and responding to the court's inquiries before the set deadline expires, and not leaving the response to the last day.

If the connection fails during the session, document that and contact the court through official channels as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions

Can an Administrative Lawsuit Be Filed via Moeen Without Visiting the Court?

Yes, in principle. The Board of Grievances, through the Moeen platform, allows filing the administrative action electronically in accordance with the legal procedures, and attaching the supporting documents, without visiting the court until the first hearing date. Some procedures may still require personal attendance as the court determines.

Is remote attendance of the hearing via Moeen subject to a fee?

According to the Board of Grievances' service page, the electronic judicial hearings service is free, with access through National Single Sign-On followed by entering the court, circuit, and case number. It is advisable to check the official page when using it to confirm any update.

What Is the Difference Between Najiz and Moeen?

Najiz is the Ministry of Justice's platform and is used for lawsuits before the General, Commercial, and Labor Courts, Personal Status cases, and others. Moeen is the Board of Grievances' platform and is used for administrative lawsuits, appeal requests in them, and attending the Board's court hearings. The type of dispute and the competent authority determine the correct platform.

Do I Need a Lawyer in the City Where the Court Is Located?

Not necessarily. The power of attorney is issued electronically via Najiz in most cases, and written and video hearings and the filing of the lawsuit are carried out through the official platforms. The court retains the authority to determine how each hearing is conducted, so the attendance arrangement is agreed on in advance if needed.