Choose the right path for your dispute
We suggest a track based on the amount in dispute, and it applies once the parties agree to it; every stage runs fully online on the Tahakom platform. Not sure which service fits? Answer three questions and we'll suggest one.
A lawyer or arbitrator? See the services for you
Three questions, and we'll suggest the best fit
Choose the dispute value to see the best fit.
The three tracks at a glance
| Small claims | Expedited track | Standard track | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dispute value | Under SAR 200,000 | Under SAR 5 million | SAR 5 million and above |
| Tribunal | Sole arbitrator | One or three arbitrators | One or three arbitrators |
| Hearings | Documents only, or one remote hearing for SAR 4,000 | A case management conference and one hearing if needed, or no hearings if both parties agree | As the case requires |
| Timeline | Within 30 days | 30 days from the tribunal accepting its appointment | Set by the tribunal |
| Fees | Fee set upfront, paid in full at the start | Two installments of 50%, and 20% lower when decided on documents only | Four installments of 25% |
A consent award is available in every case: if the parties settle, we record the settlement in a binding award. How?
No arbitration clause in your contract? We draft the arbitration agreement for both parties together. Details
A small case with clear paperwork? Fee set upfront
A sole arbitrator decides your dispute on the written documents alone, with no hearings and a fee set upfront.
Right for you if
- The dispute is worth under SAR 200,000
- It rests on documents: invoices, receipts, contracts, messages
- Both parties agree to a decision on the documents
A supplier delivered SAR 60,000 of goods to a restaurant and wasn't paid. Both sides upload their statements, invoices and delivery notes on Tahakom, and the arbitrator issues a reasoned award without a single hearing.
- Dispute value
- Under SAR 200,000
- Tribunal
- Sole arbitrator
- Hearings
- Documents only, or one remote hearing for SAR 4,000
- Timeline
- Within 30 days
- Fees
- Fee set upfront, paid in full at the start
Not sure? Send us the details and we'll suggest the best option within one business day. Get a fee estimate
Clear paperwork? Resolve it without hearings 20% lower fees
The same expedited track, with an award within 30 days, but the tribunal decides on the documents and written submissions alone: no case management conference and no hearing, and fees 20% lower than the expedited fee for the same case.
Right for you if
- The dispute is worth under SAR 5 million
- It rests on documents: invoices, receipts, contracts, messages
- No witnesses need to be heard
- Both parties agree to a decision on the documents
A supply company claims SAR 500,000 in unpaid invoices from a customer. Both sides upload their submissions, invoices, delivery notes and correspondence on Tahakom, and the tribunal issues a reasoned award within 30 days without a single hearing.
- Dispute value
- Under SAR 5 million
- Tribunal
- A sole arbitrator or three arbitrators, as the parties agree
- Hearings
- None: a written procedural order, then written submissions and documents
- Timeline
- 30 days from the tribunal accepting its appointment
- Fees
- 20% lower than the expedited fee, in two installments
Both parties choose this option by ticking a box in the expedited track agreement (or the submission agreement), and each party can respond in writing before the proceedings close. If the dispute is worth under SAR 200,000, small claims with the fee set upfront is the better fit. Small claims
A reasoned award within 30 days 30 days
A streamlined procedure with a set date for every step, suggested for disputes under SAR 5 million and applied once the parties agree to it.
Right for you if
- The dispute is worth under SAR 5 million
- You want a fast award on a published timetable
- You want a sole arbitrator or a three-member tribunal
A contracting company claims SAR 1.2 million in overdue payments. Within 30 days: a case management conference, written submissions from both sides, one hearing, then the award.
- Dispute value
- Under SAR 5 million
- Tribunal
- A sole arbitrator or three arbitrators, as the parties agree
- Hearings
- A case management conference, then a decision on the documents with one hearing only if needed, or no hearings if both parties agree
- Timeline
- 30 days from the tribunal accepting its appointment
- Fees
- Two installments: 50% before the tribunal accepts its appointment and 50% before the award is delivered
Expedited track: the 30-day timetable
- Day0Tribunal accepts its appointment; statement of claim filed
- Day3Case management conference: procedure and deadlines set
- Day7Statement of defense filed with supporting documents
- Day13Reply submissions from both parties; notice that the second installment is due
- Day18Tribunal reviews the file and closes the proceedings
- Day25Award issued once the second installment is paid
Days run from the date the last arbitrator signs their acceptance. The timetable is extended if proceedings are suspended, or if the deadline is extended under the expedited track agreement.
For larger and more complex disputes 3 arbitrators
A sole arbitrator or a three-member tribunal hears the dispute on a timetable suited to its size and complexity.
Right for you if
- The dispute is worth SAR 5 million or more
- The case is complex or has several issues, and may need experts or witnesses
A dispute between a real estate developer and a main contractor over a SAR 20 million project, with technical expert reports and several hearings.
- Dispute value
- SAR 5 million and above
- Tribunal
- A sole arbitrator or three arbitrators, as the parties agree; a three-member tribunal is chaired by one of the office's arbitrators, as the parties agree, and decides by majority after deliberation
- Hearings
- As the case requires
- Timeline
- Set by the tribunal in its first procedural order
- Fees
- Four equal installments of 25%
Fees are agreed in writing before the case begins, and every payment received is documented with a receipt or proof of transfer. One all-inclusive price, 15% lower than arbitration centers, paid in installments once the appointment is agreed.
Turn your settlement into a binding award In every case
If the parties reach a settlement during the arbitration, the tribunal records its terms in a decision that is enforceable like an arbitral award.
Right for you if
- You have settled during the case
- You want your settlement to be enforceable, not just a written promise
In a SAR 1.2 million dispute, once the statement of defense is filed, the parties agree on SAR 800,000, paid in two installments. The tribunal records the settlement in an award, so if either side fails to pay, it can be enforced directly.
An existing dispute, but no arbitration clause?
We draft the arbitration agreement for both parties together, so your existing dispute can go to arbitration instead of court. The agreement sets out the subject of the dispute, the composition of the tribunal and the right track.
- Both parties contact us together
and agree to resolve the dispute by arbitration.
- We draft the arbitration agreement
as a single text for both parties, in line with the Saudi Arbitration Law.
- Both parties sign
and the arbitration starts online on the Tahakom platform.
Three steps to get your case moving
- Tell us about your dispute
Send us the details and the amount involved through "Get a fee estimate" or on WhatsApp.
- Get your estimate within one business day
We confirm the right track and send you a fee estimate, free and with no commitment.
- Both parties sign, and the case begins
Once the appointment and fee agreements are signed, proceedings start online on Tahakom.
From request to award, step by step
- Appointment and fees
Both parties sign the appointment agreement and the fee agreement, and pay the first installment.
- Acceptance and disclosure
The sole arbitrator, or each member of the tribunal, accepts the appointment and discloses any circumstances that could affect their independence or impartiality.
- Statement of claim and defense
The claimant files its statement of claim, and the respondent files its statement of defense with supporting documents.
- Virtual hearings
Hearings are held on the Tahakom online platform, and minutes are kept of each one. Small claims are decided on the documents alone.
- The award
The sole arbitrator issues a reasoned award. A three-member tribunal decides by majority after deliberating, and the presiding arbitrator delivers the award.
The Tahakom platform
Every stage of your case runs on the Tahakom online platform: filing, written submissions, hearings, notifications, minutes and the award. No travel and no paperwork. To learn more about the platform or contact it directly: tahakompltf.com.sa
Visit TahakomTechnical expert where needed
Appointed by the tribunal, with a written declaration of the expert's independence and impartiality.
Tribunal secretary where needed
Supports research, file management and scheduling, but takes no part in deliberations or the award.
What will your case cost?
Send us the details and we will reply with an estimate within one business day, free and with no commitment.