All time periods and deadlines under the Saudi Civil Transactions Law are calculated using the Hijri (Islamic lunar) calendar, not the Gregorian calendar (Article 2). This applies to limitation periods, contract deadlines, notice periods, and any other timeframe referenced in the law. For expats accustomed to Gregorian dates, this is a critical point that is easy to overlook.
The Hijri year is approximately 354 days long, compared to the Gregorian year of 365 days. This means that a one-year deadline under Saudi civil law is actually about 11 days shorter than a Gregorian year. Over multi-year periods, this difference can become significant. For example, a five-year limitation period in Hijri terms is roughly 18 days shorter than five Gregorian years.
In practical terms, expats should always confirm deadline dates in both calendars when dealing with Saudi contracts, court filings, or legal notices. Many official Saudi documents and court systems use the Hijri date as the primary reference. Using an official Hijri-Gregorian conversion tool and noting both dates on important documents can help you avoid inadvertently missing a legally binding deadline.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Saudi Arabia.