Translating and Filing a Foreign Judgment for Enforcement
Scope: This guide explains the translation and filing component of seeking enforcement of a foreign judgment or other foreign enforcement instrument in Saudi Arabia; it does not guarantee that enforcement will be accepted. Arabic is the official language of the courts, so a paper written in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified Arabic translation from a licensed office. When an enforcement application is filed electronically, the instrument and its translation must be uploaded if the instrument is not in Arabic. Enforcement conditions: Translation does not itself satisfy the conditions for enforcing a foreign judgment. The enforcement judge considers the relevant statutory conditions, including reciprocity, jurisdiction, proper service or representation, finality, absence of conflict with a Saudi judgment, and public order. Ratification: If ratification of a translation of a foreign court deed is requested, follow the case-specific ratification requirements, including the stated attestation chain for the original and an accurate Arabic translation that is true to the text and prepared by an approved and trusted entity. Published rules do not make this route mandatory for every foreign judgment or every country.
- The foreign court judgment for which enforcement is sought.
- The foreign judicial order, where it is the instrument to be enforced.
- Evidence that the judgment or order is final under the law of the issuing court; no uniform document format is published for this proof.
- Service, appearance, and representation records relevant to the judgment, as required by the facts of the case.
- A certified Arabic translation of the foreign instrument when it is written in a foreign language.
- The original document and the relevant attestation chain if ratification of a translation of a document issued abroad is requested.
- An electronic copy of the enforcement instrument for upload with the enforcement application.
1. Identify the instrument: Determine whether the document is a foreign judgment, judicial order, or attested document, and confirm that compulsory enforcement is being sought.
2. Review enforcement conditions: Consider the conditions for enforcing a foreign judgment and any applicable treaty or arrangement. Translation alone does not resolve reciprocity, jurisdiction, service, finality, conflict, or public-order issues.
3. Prepare the Arabic translation: Obtain a certified Arabic translation from a licensed office for a document written in a foreign language.
4. Check ratification where applicable: If ratification of a translation of a foreign court deed is requested, verify the required attestation chain for the original and ensure that the Arabic translation is accurate, true to the text, and from an approved and trusted entity.
5. File the enforcement application: Submit the application electronically and upload a copy of the instrument and a translation if the instrument is not in Arabic.
6. Retain records and proceed before the judge: Keep the original, translation, and relevant certification or attestation records, because the enforcement judge verifies that the instrument meets the enforcement conditions before affixing the enforcement seal.
| Document type | Common use | Note |
|---|---|---|
Must a foreign judgment be translated into Arabic?
Yes, if the instrument is written in a foreign language. A certified Arabic translation from a licensed office is submitted, and a translation is uploaded with the enforcement application when the instrument is not in Arabic.
Is an uncertified translation sufficient?
The published requirement does not support that approach: foreign-language papers submitted to the courts are accompanied by a certified Arabic translation from a licensed office. The electronic filing workflow does not detail the certification format.
Must a particular sworn translator prepare the translation?
Published rules do not identify a universal professional title or a single translator register for this situation. They require a licensed office and, when ratifying a foreign court deed translation, refer to an approved and trusted entity.
Does translation guarantee enforcement?
No. Translation is one part of the file, but the enforcement judge also verifies the conditions for enforcing a foreign judgment, including reciprocity, jurisdiction, proper service or representation, finality, absence of conflict with a Saudi judgment, and public order.
Where is a foreign judgment presented for enforcement?
It is presented to the enforcement judge responsible for enforcing foreign judgments, who verifies that the instrument meets the enforcement conditions and affixes the enforcement seal when they are met.
Does the Enforcement Law prescribe a particular translation certificate form?
The provisions governing enforcement of foreign judgments do not prescribe a particular translation-certificate form. The general certified-translation requirement comes from the rule on the court language and foreign-language papers.
What is uploaded with the application if the instrument is not in Arabic?
Enter the application details and upload a copy of the instrument together with a translation if it is not in Arabic.
Is Ministry of Foreign Affairs ratification always required?
No published rule establishes this for every foreign judgment or every country. The ratification process describes the requirements when ratification of a translation of a document issued abroad is requested.
What attestation chain is mentioned when ratification is requested?
For ratification of a translation of a document issued abroad, the stated requirements include the original document, attestation by the issuing authority and the foreign state’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by the stamp and signature of an official at the Saudi embassy in that country or the nearest Saudi embassy.
Does the rule for translating arbitral awards apply to a foreign court judgment?
It should not be generalized. The arbitration-specific rule expressly calls for an Arabic translation certified by an accredited authority for an arbitral award issued in a foreign language.
Must the original judgment in its issuing language be filed?
The judgment or instrument is presented to the enforcement judge, and the original is referenced when ratification of a translation of a document issued abroad is requested. No single original-document format is published for every country, so check the procedure applicable to the case.
Can a foreign judgment be submitted as an enforcement instrument?
Judgments, judicial orders, and attested documents issued in a foreign country are instruments considered by the competent enforcement judge. Final acceptance depends on satisfaction of the statutory conditions.
What document proves that the judgment is final?
The judgment or order must be shown to be final under the law of the issuing court, but no uniform document form is published for establishing this.
Is there a published time for enforcement of a foreign judgment?
No published period states when recognition and enforcement of a foreign judgment will be completed. A two-business-day service duration is stated for the electronic service request, but it does not mean that recognition and enforcement will be completed within that time.
What if the issuing country’s requirements or an applicable treaty differ?
There is no single answer for every country. Check the applicable treaty or arrangement, the issuing country’s ratification or legalization requirements, and the filing channel’s requirements before submission.
This guide is for general information and is not legal or consular advice. Always verify current requirements with the receiving authority.