Financial Claims

What do we offer in this area?

• Reviewing debt documents, instruments and judgments
• Preparing claims and following up on amicable collection
• Following up on enforcement procedures within the scope of the engagement

The scope of work and required documents are determined after reviewing the matter and agreeing on the engagement.

How Is the Path of a Financial Claim Determined?

The first question in any financial claim is what type of document you hold. Some documents allow an enforcement request to be filed directly without litigation, while others require a court judgment first, and this affects the timeline and the procedures required:

• Checks and promissory notes are among the negotiable instruments that the current Enforcement Law treats as enforcement instruments
• A notarized contract or acknowledgment may also be submitted to the Enforcement Court where it sets out a specific, currently due right
• A loan between individuals documented by a plain paper or bank transfers usually requires litigation first
• An unpaid sale or service price is claimed by a lawsuit before the competent court

The bounced check and the promissory note

If you are holding a bounced check or a promissory note that meets its required particulars, the general rule is that it is submitted through an enforcement request via Najiz without a statement of claim. Issuing a bounced check may also give rise to criminal liability under the Negotiable Instruments Law, a track independent of collecting the amount. The note’s required particulars are detailed in the article The Promissory Note under Saudi Law, and what follows registration is covered on the Judicial Enforcement page.

It should be noted that the new Enforcement Law, expected to take effect in late October 2026, requires bills of exchange and promissory notes to be registered on the national electronic platforms in order to be treated as enforcement instruments, with a transitional provision for notes issued before it takes effect.

Preparing the statement of claim in financial claims

If the document is not an enforcement instrument, the claim begins with a statement of claim filed via Najiz. The quality of the statement affects how the case proceeds, so the following should be observed in it:

• Accurately identifying the defendant and their details
• A statement of the origin of the debt, its cause, and its due date
• Breakdown of the amount claimed and how it was calculated
• Linking each piece of evidence to the fact it proves
• Drafting clear and specific claims

Do not delay the claim

A right does not lapse with the passage of time, but the Civil Transactions Law set time limits after which a lawsuit will not be heard, the longest being ten years against a denying party, and shorter periods for certain rights, subject to the special periods in other laws. It is therefore advisable to document every amicable demand with its date and not rely solely on verbal promises of payment.

Frequently asked questions

Should I file a lawsuit or submit an enforcement request to recover my debt?

That depends on the document. If it is an enforcement instrument, such as a check or a promissory note meeting its requirements, a notarized contract, or a court judgment, an enforcement request is submitted directly. If it is an ordinary document, bank transfers, or conversations, the creditor will generally need a lawsuit and a judgment before enforcement. The path is determined after reviewing the document itself.

What Evidence Is Accepted in a Financial Claim Between Individuals?

The Evidence Law permits multiple methods of proof, including writing, acknowledgment, testimony, oath, and digital evidence such as messages and electronic bank transfers, and the court assesses the weight of each piece of evidence according to the circumstances of the case. It is therefore advisable to keep entire conversations in their context, keep transfer receipts, and not rely on a single piece of evidence when others can be gathered.

Can negotiation take place before filing the financial claim?

Yes, and many debts are settled after a written demand specifying the amount, its cause, and the payment deadline. If a payment schedule is agreed, it is advisable to document it in a form that preserves the right, such as a notarized acknowledgment or a promissory note registered on the approved platforms, so that enforcement can be requested upon default without resorting to a new lawsuit.