Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM — About 60 percent of all family disputes are resolved in single court sessions at the personal status courts, according to the Ministry of Justice.

The ministry, in its statistical report for 2017 carried by Al-Watan newspaper on Sunday, said the courts resolved 44,976 personal status cases in single sessions last year.

A number of legal counselors and lawyers attributed the achievement to the fact that the judges always referred the parties at dispute to the pertinent reconciliation committee, which helps the parties reach an agreement. By the time, the parties appear in the court, they have already found an amicable settlement for their case.

Lawyer Thamer Al-Sakaker said judges give personal status or family cases priority over other types of cases and always settle the disputes before the litigation process begins. Both parties can present their defense and claims in one session and there will be no need to hold subsequent sessions.

Ibrahim Al-Abadi, also a lawyer, said, “All judges ask the parties at dispute to go to the pertinent reconciliation committee before the court holds session. If they make up and sign an agreement, the case will be closed. If they do not, the judge will issue his final judgment in one session.”

Lawyer Hamad Khaneen said divorce and proof of guardianship cases are settled quickly while child custody, alimony and inheritance cases could take months due to appeals and the protracted legal process.

These types of cases can only be resolved quickly if both parties reconcile and make up when they appear before the judge.