Company Law & Governance

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Companies and governance

Setting up, running and restructuring a Saudi company — and the board, shareholder and compliance rules that come with it.

Contracts and investment

The agreements a business runs on, foreign investment into the Kingdom, and the brands, software and data a company owns.

Disputes

When a contract, a partner or a payment goes wrong: negotiation, commercial court proceedings and arbitration.

Employment, tax and property

Employer obligations under the Labour Law, zakat and tax assessments, real estate, and the entertainment sector.

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Guides and legal updates

Practical explanations of the laws that affect companies in the Kingdom, and updates published when new laws, regulations or official announcements appear, each with a link to the official text.

Latest articles

Companies

Governance

Investment

Disputes

Arbitration or litigation in Saudi Arabia — how to chooseIn Saudi Arabia, commercial disputes go to the commercial courts unless the parties have agreed to arbitrate. Litigation is usually cheaper and suits straightforward claims; arbitration offers confidentiality, choice of arbitrators and language, and is often preferred for complex, high-value or cross-border contracts. The decision is made when the contract is drafted.27 October 20262 min read

Employment

Resignation under the Saudi Labour Law after the 2025 amendmentsSince the Labour Law amendments took effect on 19 February 2025, resignation follows a set process. The employee submits a written resignation through Qiwa; the employer has 30 days to accept, postpone or reject it, and silence counts as acceptance; acceptance can be postponed by up to 60 days for business reasons with written reasons; and the employee may withdraw within 7 days unless the employer has already accepted.27 October 20262 min read

Zakat and tax

Zakat and corporate tax in Saudi Arabia — the basics for companiesSaudi companies pay zakat on the share owned by Saudi and GCC nationals and corporate income tax at 20% on the share owned by non-Saudis, so mixed-ownership companies often pay both. VAT applies at 15%, withholding tax applies to many payments to non-residents, and all are administered by ZATCA. Assessments can be challenged by objection and then appeal to the tax dispute committees.27 October 20262 min read

Real estate

Real estate ownership by non-Saudis — the 2026 law explainedThe Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis took effect on 22 January 2026. It lets foreign individuals and companies own property in zones designated by the authorities — including in Riyadh and Jeddah — allows foreign residents to own one home for personal use outside those zones, keeps tight restrictions in Makkah and Madinah, and makes registration a condition of validity.27 October 20262 min read

Data and technology

PDPL compliance for Saudi companies — a practical checklistSaudi Arabia's Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) has been fully enforceable since 14 September 2024 and is supervised by SDAIA. Compliance starts with knowing what personal data you hold, telling people how you use it, having a lawful basis, contracting properly with vendors, controlling transfers abroad and being ready to report breaches.27 October 20262 min read

Choosing a lawyer

How to choose a corporate lawyer in Saudi ArabiaThe best law firm for your company is the one whose lawyers have handled matters like yours, are licensed to act, will tell you clearly what the work costs, and communicate in a way that works for you. Ask specific questions rather than relying on rankings or claims to be "the best in Saudi Arabia".27 October 20262 min read

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