The statement of claim is the document that opens a case: it fixes who is suing whom, before which court, on which facts, and with which requests. Its quality directly affects how quickly the case is registered and how many deficiency messages come back. This page sets out its elements and attachments as they appear in the Law of Civil Procedure and Ministry of Justice materials, as part of the Najiz guides on Hala Law. For the submission steps themselves, see the guide to filing a case on Najiz.

What the law requires in the statement

Under the Law of Civil Procedure, a statement of claim must include:

| Element | Content | | --- | --- | | Plaintiff and defendant details | Identifying the parties to the dispute | | Filing date | The date the statement is submitted | | Court | The forum before which the claim is brought | | Elected domicile | Where needed | | Subject of the claim | What the dispute is about | | Requests | What the court is asked to rule | | Grounds | What the requests rest on |

The law also sets an important rule: unrelated requests may not be combined in a single statement. Mixing unconnected demands is a known reason statements run into trouble, as covered in the guide to claim rejection reasons.

The practical structure: six sections

The source material built on the references above organizes the statement into six consecutive sections. This is a description of the statement's structure to clarify what belongs in each part — not a fill-in form:

| Section | Function | | --- | --- | | Heading | Naming the claim type: monetary claim, contract rescission, maintenance, wages, compensation, and so on | | Party details | The plaintiff's name, ID, address, and representative details if any; the defendant's name, ID if known, and address or last known address | | Jurisdiction | Why this court or classification fits — for example, a dispute arising from an employment relationship, or between two merchants over commercial business | | Facts | A chronological narrative in short sentences: when the agreement was made, what was performed, where the breach occurred, whether an amicable demand preceded the claim | | Documents | Linking each fact to a document proving it: contract, invoice, transfer, correspondence, record, notice, certificate, judgment, instrument | | Requests and closing | Numbered, clear requests, an alternative request where needed, then a closing asking the court to rule as requested |

Choosing the right classification before drafting saves trouble later; see the guide to choosing the claim type on Najiz.

Requests: be specific, not general

A vague request is among the most common reasons applications are returned. The difference between a specific request and a general one is the difference between a defined amount or measure — such as an order to pay a stated sum in riyals — and broad phrases a court cannot rule on. Number each request, tie it to a supporting document, and add an alternative request where the nature of the dispute allows.

General attachments for every statement

According to the Ministry of Justice case journey materials, the general attachments include:

  • National ID, residence permit, or proof of capacity.
  • The national address of the parties.
  • The power of attorney where an agent files, including litigation authority where needed.
  • A guardianship deed where the filer is a guardian or custodian.
  • The defendant's details as far as possible.
  • The documents supporting the facts and requests.
  • Any prior notice, settlement, or correspondence where required or useful.

Attachment examples by dispute type

| Claim type | Key attachments | | --- | --- | | Commercial monetary claim | Contract, invoices, purchase orders, delivery notes, account statement, prior notice where required | | Labor | Employment contract, payroll records, social insurance statement if available, dismissal decisions, releases, proof of the settlement attempt | | Personal status | Marriage contract, birth certificates, proof of income or expenses, prior judgments or agreements | | Compensation | Proof of fault, damage, and causation; damage assessment; invoices or reports | | Enforcement | The enforceable instrument, judgment, or enforceable settlement document |

One practical rule holds across all types: every request needs a document behind it, and every fact needs proof. Attachments that do not match the requests are a known reason applications are returned.

What happens after submission?

After the statement is submitted through Najiz, the application is screened: if accepted, a message arrives with the case number and circuit; if items are missing, a message arrives asking that they be completed. Keep the application number and track its status on the platform. This guide helps you prepare the application and reduce deficiencies — it does not mean the claim will be accepted or predict its outcome.

When do you need a licensed lawyer?

This page presents the statement's structure and attachments as a general framework, not drafting for a specific case. Engaging a licensed lawyer or accredited consultant becomes the closer fit when:

  • There are statutory deadlines approaching or significant risks in the dispute — the source material itself notes that guides of this kind are no substitute for a lawyer in those situations.
  • The dispute needs precise legal characterization of jurisdiction or classification, or an assessment of whether multiple requests are sufficiently connected.
  • The facts are tangled or the evidence incomplete, and building the file requires experience in organizing proof.
  • The other party is a government body, or the matter belongs to a different track altogether, such as enforcement or criminal channels.

A well-drafted statement presents the dispute clearly, but the assessment of the case and its outcome remains with the court, on the facts and the documents.