Introduction
Commercial and real estate disputes are among the most prominent cases within the Saudi judicial system due to their significant role in supporting economic activity and protecting private property rights. The Ministry of Justice has placed strong emphasis on developing specialized courts and adopting modern regulations to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in resolving such disputes.
1. Commercial Courts and Their Role
Commercial courts were established as part of the general judiciary to specialize in disputes arising between merchants or related to commercial activities.
Their main areas of jurisdiction include:
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Disputes between partners in companies and establishments
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Cases involving commercial contracts and construction agreements
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Claims related to bankruptcy, liquidation, and commercial agencies
Commercial courts are distinguished by their expedited procedures and reliance on modern legal frameworks such as the Commercial Courts Law, Bankruptcy Law, and Companies Law — all of which strengthen the investment environment in the Kingdom.
2. The Importance of Real Estate Cases
As one of the core pillars of the national economy, real estate matters receive significant judicial attention in Saudi Arabia.
These cases include:
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Property ownership disputes and land boundaries
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Sale, purchase, and lease contract disputes
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Real estate development and joint venture project disputes
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Claims related to the White Land Tax
White land tax committees also contribute to regulating land use within cities and encouraging development, supporting Vision 2030 objectives in optimizing land utilization.
3. Modern Litigation Mechanisms
The Ministry of Justice launched the Najiz digital platform to enable electronic case filing and online follow-up without requiring physical attendance — significantly accelerating the resolution of commercial and real estate disputes.
Written pleadings and electronic notifications have also replaced outdated paper-based procedures.
4. Arbitration as an Alternative to Litigation
Major companies and investors increasingly turn to commercial arbitration as a rapid and confidential dispute resolution method.
The Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) plays a key role in this area, offering internationally recognized arbitration and mediation services — further boosting investor confidence in the Saudi legal ecosystem.
5. Legal Authentication and Rights Protection
The Ministry of Justice has introduced electronic notarization services for real estate and commercial documents — including powers of attorney and sale contracts — reducing the likelihood of disputes and enhancing transactional reliability.
A unified electronic system also facilitates verification of ownership and supporting legal documents across government entities.
Conclusion
Commercial and real estate litigation in Saudi Arabia is witnessing unprecedented progress and maturity.
With ongoing legal reforms and continuous digital transformation in the judicial sector, dispute resolution has become more efficient and transparent — strengthening justice and trust in the Saudi legal system.