Article 184 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 184 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الثاني: دعوى عدم نفاذ تصرفات المدين في حق دائنيه
The article allows a person who received a right from a debtor whose debts exceed his assets to escape the action for non-enforceability by depositing the equivalent value with the body specified by the Minister of Justice.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لكل من تلقى حقًّا من المدين الذي أحاطت ديونه بأمواله أن يتخلص من دعوى منع نفاذ التصرف إذا أودع عوض المثل لدى الجهة التي يحددها وزير العدل.
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 184 explained in plain English
This article gives a means of protecting a person who dealt with a debtor whose debts exceed his assets, such as someone who bought property from him or received a right from him, and then faces an action by the creditors to make that act unenforceable under Article 183.
The rule: A person who received the right may escape this action if he deposits the equivalent value, that is, the value of a like right, with the body specified by the Minister of Justice.
- Who benefits: anyone who received a right from the debtor whose debts exceed his assets.
- The means: depositing the equivalent value.
- Place of deposit: the body specified by the Minister of Justice; the article does not name this body but leaves its designation to the Minister.
The idea is that creditors are harmed by property leaving the debtor's estate without sufficient consideration; if the recipient deposits an amount equal to its value, the creditors no longer have an interest in making the act unenforceable. The article does not set out how the equivalent value is assessed or the deposit procedures.
A person against whom an action of this kind has been filed should consult a lawyer specializing in civil cases to find out what suits his case.
Practical example
Majed bought a car from a person who turned out to have debts exceeding his assets, and one of the seller's creditors asked that the sale be made unenforceable against him. Majed can escape this action by depositing the equivalent value of the car with the body specified by the Minister of Justice.
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 184 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 184 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
How can a buyer avoid the creditors' action to make the purchase unenforceable?
He can escape the action by depositing the equivalent value with the body specified by the Minister of Justice.
Where is the equivalent value deposited?
With the body specified by the Minister of Justice; the article does not name this body.
Does the rule apply to buyers only?
No. The text covers anyone who received a right from the debtor whose debts exceed his assets.
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 164
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.
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
- 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
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.