Article 164 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 164 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفصل الأول: التنفيذ العيني
The article compels the debtor, after formal notice, to perform in kind where possible, and lets the court, at his request, limit the creditor to compensation if performance is burdensome and causes the creditor no serious harm.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يُجبَر المدين بعد إعذاره على تنفيذ التزامه تنفيذًا عينيًّا متى كان ذلك ممكنًا.
2- إذا كان في التنفيذ العيني إرهاقٌ للمدين جاز للمحكمة بناءً على طلبه أن تقصر حق الدائن على اقتضاء التعويض إذا كان ذلك لا يلحق به ضررًا جسيمًا.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 164 explained in plain English
Performance in kind means that the debtor performs the very obligation as agreed, rather than paying compensation in its place. Article 164 regulates this in two paragraphs:
Paragraph 1 (the rule): The debtor is compelled to perform his obligation in kind on two conditions:
- That this is after he has been given formal notice, that is, after he has been formally called on to perform.
- That performance in kind is possible.
Paragraph 2 (the exception): If performance in kind is burdensome for the debtor, the court may limit the creditor's right to obtaining compensation, on two conditions:
- That this is at the debtor's request; the court does not decide it on its own initiative.
- That it does not cause the creditor serious harm.
The phrase "the court may" means the matter is left to its discretion even when both conditions are met.
Article 165 sets out a form of performance in kind relating to things specified by kind. To assess whether performance is burdensome in a particular case, you may consult a lawyer specializing in civil and compensation cases.
Practical example
A company in Jeddah contracted with a supplier to supply furniture to specified specifications, and the supplier then fell behind. After formal notice, the supplier can be compelled to supply as long as that is possible. If the supplier asks the court to limit the company to compensation because performance has become burdensome for him, the court may do so if the company would suffer no serious harm.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentA question about Article 164 of Civil Transactions Law?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
Civil Litigation & Compensation lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Civil Litigation & Compensation lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Active contributor
Unwan Law Firm
Frequently asked questions about Article 164 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Can a debtor be compelled to perform exactly what he committed to?
Yes. The debtor is compelled, after formal notice, to perform in kind where that is possible.
Is formal notice required before requesting performance in kind?
Yes. Paragraph 1 provides that compulsion applies after the debtor has been given formal notice.
When can compensation be accepted instead of performance in kind?
If performance in kind is burdensome for the debtor, he requests it, and it causes the creditor no serious harm, the court may limit the creditor's right to compensation.
More articles on Performance of Obligations and Agreed Compensation
- Article 107
The article lets a party to a bilateral contract, after warning the defaulting party, demand performance or termination, with compensation if warranted, in either case.
في العقود الملزمة للجانبين، إذا لم يوف أحد المتعاقدين بالتزامه، فللمتعاقد الآخر بعد إعذاره المتعاقد المخل أن يطلب تنفيذ العقد أو فسخه، مع التعويض في الحالتين إن
- Article 161
The article requires the debtor to perform his obligation when it falls due and allows it to be enforced against him by compulsion if he refuses, once the conditions for compulsory enforcement under the law are met.
يجب على المدين تنفيذ التزامه عند استحقاقه، فإذا امتنع نفذ عليه جبرًا متى استوفى التنفيذ الجبري شروطه النظامية.
- Article 162
The article provides that an obligation that does not meet the conditions for compulsory enforcement remains owed on a moral basis (diyanah); if the debtor performs it voluntarily, the performance is valid and is neither a gift nor an undue payment.
إذا لم يستوف الالتزام الشروط النظامية لتنفيذه جبرًا يبقى قائمًا في ذمة المدين ديانةً، فإذا وفاه مختارًا كان وفاؤه صحيحًا ولا يُعدُّ تبرعًا ولا دفعًا لغير المستح
- Article 163
The article provides that an obligation owed on a moral basis (diyanah) is a valid foundation on which the debtor may build a legal obligation.
الالتزام القائم ديانةً يُعدُّ أساسًا صالحًا لأن يبني عليه المدين التزامًا نظاميًّا.
- Article 165
The article provides that a right to a thing specified by kind attaches to a particular item only once it is set apart, and lets the creditor, on non-performance, obtain a like item at the debtor's expense.
1- إذا تعلق الحق بشيء معين بالنوع لا بالذات، فإنه لا يختص بشيء بذاته من ذلك النوع إلا بإفرازه. 2- إذا لم يقم المدين بتنفيذ التزامه جاز للدائن أن يحصل على شيء من
- Article 166
The article places the risk of destruction or damage on the debtor who failed to deliver, in two cases: transfer of a real right and an obligation to perform work involving delivery, each on different conditions.
1- الالتزام بنقل حق عيني يتضمن الالتزام بتسليم الشيء والمحافظة عليه حتى تسليمه، فإذا لم يقم المدين بتسليمه حتى هلك أو تلف كانت تبعة ذلك عليه. 2- إذا كان محل الا
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.