Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The first day of the e-litigation initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has seen 7,200 e-filings, 750 virtual hearings, and 550 rulings, revealed the ministry.

“The first day shows the positive indicator for this e-service as a viable route of litigation,” the ministry said. “The procedural manual for the service will regularly be reviewed to tackle any possible issues.”

The MoJ earlier launched remote litigation in order to enhance digitization and ensure the safety of clients during the pandemic. The service covers all procedures that can be conducted electronically, such as the exchange of briefs, filing of documents, implementation of e-trials, and receipt of judgments.

Under the initiative, trials are carried out remotely through “e-litigation” enabling the electronic exchange of documents and briefs, as well as “virtual hearings” enabling audio-visual hearings through videoconferencing tools approved by the ministry.