If someone owes you money under a court ruling or another enforceable document, what changes on Thursday 29 October? That is the day Saudi Arabia's new Enforcement Law, issued by Royal Decree M/237, comes into force together with its implementing regulations. Minister of Justice Dr. Walid Al-Samaani approved the regulations, which appeared in the official gazette Umm Al-Qura on Friday 23 October. Its 54 articles cover enforcement steps, deadlines and safeguards for both sides.
Is a paper promissory note still enough? Under the new law, a bill of exchange or promissory note becomes an enforceable instrument only after registration on one of the Kingdom's national electronic platforms. Notes issued before the law takes effect that meet every other condition stay enforceable without registration for one year. Cheques are outside the registration rule.
If you are the debtor, how long do you have? Five working days from the moment you are notified of the enforcement order, plus ten more working days if you lodge a bank guarantee big enough to cover the debt. After that, compulsory enforcement against your assets begins, and the court may impose a fine of up to SAR 5,000 for every day of delay. Bodies holding asset records must answer court orders within three working days.
What are the limits on travel bans and detention? A ban on leaving the Kingdom is ordered at the creditor's request for up to three years, renewable to a total of six, and it lapses when the enforcement request ends. Detention is a last resort and cannot be used against anyone under 18, a person too ill to bear it according to an approved medical report, a pregnant woman or the mother of a child under two.
How are family rulings handled? The regulations set out dedicated procedures for alimony, custody and visitation rulings. Custody and visitation orders can be enforced compulsorily, with the child's interests taken into account, and anyone who refuses or obstructs them faces up to 90 days in prison, a fine of up to SAR 30,000, or both.
What if a debtor hides assets? Concealing or smuggling assets to avoid paying carries up to three years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 1 million, rising to 15 years for a debtor proven to have squandered substantial wealth. Requests based on an instrument more than ten years past its due date will not be accepted.
