Arbitration Awards
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Arbitration Awards Start Comparison
Is this jurisdiction a party to the New York Convention?

Yes.

What is the approximate time required to register and enforce a foreign arbitration award if unopposed?

Generally speaking, it can take 3 to 6 months to enforce a straightforward, unopposed foreign arbitration award.

What is the approximate time required to register and enforce a foreign arbitration award if opposed?

It is extremely difficult to provide an approximate time to enforce a foreign arbitration award that is being opposed because it would depend on several factors such as the factual background, complexity of legal issues used to oppose, and so forth.

What is the approximate cost of registering and enforcing a foreign arbitration award (including court fees and other disbursements) if unopposed?

Court fees are minimal in Saudi Arabia.  Legal fees would vary significantly depending on whether travel is necessary to attend hearings, duration of the proceeding, availability of enforceable assets, and complexity of underlying issues. 

What is the approximate cost of registering and enforcing a foreign arbitration award (including court fees and other disbursements) if opposed?

The cost would depend on several factors, including the complexity of the issues, the level of opposition.

Are there any unusual difficulties in enforcing a foreign arbitration award?

Saudi courts will not enforce arbitration awards that are contrary to Sharia (Islamic law) or public policy.

Award of interest is prohibited under Sharia, and thus unenforceable.  An award of interest is, however, severable and does not invalidate the enforcement of other portions of the award.  The list of matters that would be deemed to contravene public policy is not well-defined and individual judges may reach conflicting results in similar cases.  However, from our experience, enforcement judges tend to enforce an award unless it contravenes a fundamental principle of Sharia.