Article 199 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 199 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الأول: الشرط
The article provides that an obligation does not arise if it is made conditional on a condition whose purpose is to encourage something unlawful.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا ينشأ الالتزام إذا عُلق على شرطٍ يكون القصد من التعليق عليه الحض على أمر غير مشروع.
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 199 explained in plain English
This article places a limit on the freedom to make obligations conditional: the conditioning may not be a means of encouraging something unlawful.
The rule: If an obligation is made conditional on a condition and the purpose of the conditioning is to encourage something unlawful, the obligation does not arise at all.
- What counts is the purpose of the conditioning: that the aim is to push one of the parties or someone else to do something unlawful.
- The effect: the obligation does not exist, so it cannot be claimed.
The article does not list the forms of the unlawful act; reference is made to what the statutory provisions prohibit.
This article is connected with the neighboring rules on conditions: Article 198, which voids an impossible condition and the obligation dependent on it, and Article 200, which provides that an obligation does not exist if it is made conditional on a suspensive condition making its existence depend on the mere will of the obligor.
Anyone who doubts the lawfulness of a condition in an agreement would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in civil cases.
Practical example
A person promised to pay a sum to another if he did something that violates the laws for his benefit. This obligation is made conditional on a condition intended to encourage something unlawful, so it does not arise and the sum cannot be claimed.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 199 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
What is the rule on an obligation made conditional on an unlawful condition?
The obligation does not arise if the purpose of making it conditional is to encourage something unlawful.
Can I claim a sum promised in return for an unlawful act?
The text provides that in this case the obligation does not arise at all.
More articles on Condition, Term and Joint Liability
- Article 127
If several persons are liable for a harmful act, they are jointly liable for compensation, the court sets each one's share, and if that is not possible, liability is divided equally.
إذا تعدد المسؤولون عن فعل ضار كانوا متضامنين في التزامهم بتعويض الضرر، وتعين المحكمة نصيب كل منهم في التعويض وفق القواعد الواردة في هذا الفصل، وإذا تعذر ذلك كان
- Article 197
The article defines a conditional obligation as one whose existence or disappearance depends on a future event that may or may not occur.
يكون الالتزام معلَّقًا على شرطٍ إذا كان وجوده أو زواله مترتِّبًا على أمرٍ مستقبلٍ محتمل الوقوع.
- Article 198
The article provides that an obligation made conditional on an event that has occurred is treated as immediate, and one made conditional on something impossible has a void condition and is itself void.
إذا علق الالتزام على أمر واقع عد الالتزام ناجزًا، وإذا علق على أمر مستحيل عد الشرط باطلًا، ويبطل الالتزام الذي علق عليه.
- Article 200
The article provides that an obligation does not exist if it is made conditional on a suspensive condition making its existence depend on the mere will of the obligor.
لا يكون الالتزام قائمًا إذا علق على شرط واقف يجعل وجود الالتزام متوقفًا على محض إرادة الملتزم.
- Article 201
The article provides that an obligation subject to a suspensive condition is not enforceable unless the condition is fulfilled and cannot be performed before then, while the creditor may take steps to preserve his right.
لا يكون الالتزام المعلق على شرط واقف نافذًا إلا إذا تحقق الشرط المعلق عليه، ولا يكون الالتزام قبل تحقق الشرط قابلًا للتنفيذ، وللدائن أن يتخذ من الإجراءات ما يُح
- Article 202
The article provides that fulfillment of a resolutory condition ends the obligation, the creditor must return what he took or pay compensation if return became impossible for a reason he is responsible for, and acts of administration remain in force.
يترتب على تحقق الشرط الفاسخ زوال الالتزام، ويلزم الدائن رد ما أخذه، فإذا استحال الرد لسبب هو مسؤولٌ عنه لزمه التعويض، وتبقى أعمال الإدارة التي تصدر من الدائن نا
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.