Appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia

The legislative and judicial system in Saudi Arabia has long been a solid framework for achieving justice, ensuring balance in labor relations between employees and employers, and recognizing the rights and obligations of each party. This includes the right to resort to the judiciary if either party breaches these obligations, in accordance with the Saudi Labor Law.

The system also grants the right to file an appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia if the issued judgment does not reflect the actual reality of the case or fails to consider its proper legal aspects.

Thus, the appeal represents a real opportunity for the claimant to resubmit their case by presenting new evidence or legal defenses that were not sufficiently addressed during the first stage of litigation, thereby increasing the chances of achieving a more accurate and fair ruling.

In this article, we provide a comprehensive explanation of the concept of appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia in terms of importance, conditions, procedures, legal timeframe, and the services offered by Sarah Al-Mutairi Law Firm in labor cases to promote justice and fairness.

Appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia

An appeal is one of the legal means that guarantees either party in a labor dispute the right to contest the judgment issued by the labor court of first instance and request its review before a higher judicial body (Labor Court of Appeal). This procedure is an essential part of the Saudi judicial system, aiming to achieve justice and correct any legal or factual errors in the initial ruling.

Importance of appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia

The importance of appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia as a legal tool for achieving justice includes:

• Correcting legal errors: The appeal allows the court to review the initial judgment and rectify any misapplication or misinterpretation of the law.
• Re-evaluating evidence: Important evidence that was overlooked can be highlighted, or new evidence can be presented that may influence the ruling.
• Enhancing procedural justice: Appeals ensure that all parties are given a fair opportunity to present their arguments, reinforcing the principle of fair trial.
• Unifying the application of law: Appeal court decisions contribute to unifying the interpretation and application of labor law provisions.

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Statement of appeal in labor cases

The statement of appeal (petition) in a labor compensation case is the formal and legal framework upon which the appeal is built. Its importance lies in being the official channel through which the judgment is submitted for review by a higher court.

It must be drafted accurately and clearly, based on the facts of the case and the relevant provisions of the law, and should include:

• Heading: Name of the competent appellate court and the type of request (appeal of a labor compensation judgment).
• Parties’ information: Full name, ID number, address, and contact details of the appellant and the appellee.
• Judgment details: Case number, date of issuance, court of first instance, and summary of the ruling.
• Grounds for appeal: A detailed legal explanation of the errors in the judgment, supported by facts and relevant legal provisions.
• Requests: A clear statement of what the appellant seeks, whether annulment of the judgment in whole or in part, or a new ruling in their favor.
• Conclusion: A summary of the reasons for appeal with emphasis on the fairness and legitimacy of the requests.
• Signature: Signature of the appellant or their legal representative (lawyer), along with the submission date.
  

Appeal of compensation judgment for unfair dismissal

Below is a model petition for appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia regarding compensation for unfair dismissal:

Honorable Presiding Judge and Members of the Labor Court of Appeal
Peace be upon you,
Appellant: (Full name – ID number – capacity)
Appellee: (Full name – ID number – capacity)
Case Number: …
Judgment Number: …
Judgment Date: …
Issuing Court: …

I hereby submit this objection petition against the judgment issued in case No. … dated … by the Labor Court of …, which ruled (summary of judgment), as it contains errors in applying the law and in assessing the evidence. I request Your Honor to reconsider the judgment for the following reasons:

• Misapplication of the law
• Insufficient reasoning
• Contradiction with the established evidence in the file
• Availability of new documents/evidence
  Based on the above, I request the following:
• Annulment of the initial judgment in whole/part
• Reconsideration of all my claims filed in the original petition
• Awarding me compensation for unfair dismissal
• Charging the other party with all legal costs and attorney’s fees
  Respectfully submitted,
  Name: …
  ID/Residency Number: …
  Mobile Number: …
  Signature: …
  Date: …
  

Conditions for appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia

Not all judgments in labor cases are appealable. The system requires specific conditions for accepting an appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia, such as:

• Submitting the appeal request within the legally set timeframe: 30 days for regular cases and 10 days for urgent cases.
• Filing the appeal memorandum within the prescribed timeframe and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
• The judgment in question must be one of the appealable judgments.

Appealability of labor judgments

It is necessary to verify that the judgment contested falls within the categories legally subject to appeal. Labor judgments are classified as follows:

First: Appealable judgments

• Final rulings issued by the labor court of first instance.
• Financial rulings exceeding 20,000 SAR, such as compensation for financial damages.
• Rulings of unfair dismissal in cases of contract termination without valid reason.
• Rulings related to end-of-service benefits and workers’ entitlements.
• Work injury rulings involving compensation claims due to work accidents or occupational diseases.
  

Second: Non-appealable judgments

• Judgments in minor cases where the claim value does not exceed 20,000 SAR.
• Preliminary or procedural decisions that do not resolve the core dispute.
• Decisions issued by household labor committees, which are final according to the law.
  

Timeframes for appeal in labor cases

According to the Saudi Law of Procedure, the duration for appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia starts from the date the judgment is served to the concerned party and signed by them.

• Regular cases: 30 days from notification of the judgment.
• Urgent cases: 10 days from notification.
  

If the appeal memorandum is not filed within the legal timeframe, the judgment becomes final and enforceable.

Calculation of appeal period:

• The appeal period begins the day after the judgment notification.
• If the last day falls on an official holiday, the deadline is extended to the next working day.

The Law of Procedure

The Law of Sharia Pleadings is the governing legislative framework for filing an appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia. It was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/1) dated 22/1/1435 AH. It regulates the rules of filing lawsuits, notifying litigants, holding hearings, submitting defenses, issuing judgments, and ways of contesting them.

Its aim is to ensure justice and protect litigants’ rights, in accordance with Islamic Sharia and relevant regulations. It applies to all civil and criminal cases, obligating parties to comply with its procedures until a final judgment is issued.

How Sarah Al-Mutairi Law Firm achieves the best results in labor appeals

Filing an appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia requires more than just an objection. It requires a law firm capable of analyzing details and exploiting legal gaps in favor of the client. Sarah Al-Mutairi Law Firm excels in this by:

• Providing precise legal analysis of the initial judgment to identify legal flaws.
• Submitting strong defenses based on deep understanding of labor laws and regulations.
• Preparing well-drafted appeal petitions supported by legal texts and evidence.
• Full compliance with procedures and legal deadlines while following up on the case until a final ruling is issued.
• Professional representation before appellate labor courts.
• Offering accurate legal advice and keeping clients updated on case developments.
  

Contacting Sarah Al-Mutairi Law Firm

If you are facing a labor dispute related to wages, unfair dismissal, or any other employment right, Sarah Al-Mutairi Law Firm provides full legal support to file a labor claim in a professional and lawful manner that guarantees your rights.

You may book a consultation appointment or contact the customer service number: 966503696000.

The effectiveness of an appeal of a labor lawsuit judgment in Saudi Arabia in changing the initial ruling does not depend merely on submitting a petition, but on the quality of its legal drafting, the strength of its arguments, and the ability to alter the final ruling in favor of the client.

At Sarah Al-Mutairi Law Firm, we recognize the importance of this matter and provide professional legal services based on deep knowledge of the judicial system, extensive experience in labor disputes, and full commitment to transparency and professionalism.

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