THE PRINCIPLE OF FORMALITY IN CONTRACTS UNDER THE SAUDI CIVIL TRANSACTIONS LAW: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY IN LIGHT OF THE GENERAL THEORY OF CONTRACT

This study aims to analyse the principle of formality in contracts under the Saudi Civil Transactions Law, with a focus on the legal functions of formality and its impact on the validity of contracts and the rights of the parties and third parties. The study classifies formality into three types—formality of conclusion, formality of proof, and formality of effectiveness—and clarifies the legal sanctions resulting from noncompliance with each type. It also highlights the balance achieved by the Saudi legal system between freedom of will and the protection of rights and highlights the originality of the present study by concentrating on an internal analysis of statutory provisions without reliance on external comparative approaches.