Article 213 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 213 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الأول: تضامن الدائنين
The article allows each joint creditor to demand the whole debt from the debtor, and sets the defenses the debtor may raise against the claiming creditor.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- للدائنين المتضامنين مجتمعين أو منفردين مطالبة المدين بكل الدين.
2- للمدين أن يعترض على مطالبة أحد دائنيه المتضامنين بأوجه الاعتراض الخاصة بهذا الدائن وبالأوجه المشتركة بين جميع الدائنين، وليس له أن يعترض عليه بأوجه الاعتراض الخاصة بدائن آخر.
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 213 explained in plain English
This article explains the basic effect of solidarity among creditors in their relationship with the debtor, and regulates what the debtor is entitled to object with.
First: the right to demand the whole debt. Joint creditors may demand the whole debt from the debtor, whether they claim together or each of them individually. A joint creditor is not required to confine himself to his share.
Second: the debtor's defenses. If one of the joint creditors claims against the debtor, the debtor may object against him with two kinds of defenses:
- Defenses specific to this creditor himself.
- Defenses common to all the creditors.
But the debtor may not object against the claiming creditor with defenses specific to another creditor, because what concerns a particular creditor cannot be raised against others.
This rule applies only if solidarity exists in the first place, since Article 212 provides that solidarity among creditors arises only by agreement or by statutory provision. What a creditor collects from the debtor does not belong to him alone: Article 214 makes everything collected by one of the joint creditors the right of all of them, to be shared among them, unless a statutory provision or agreement provides otherwise.
The article benefits creditors by facilitating collection, and protects the debtor by preserving his defenses connected with the claimant or common to all. To assess a particular defense, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in civil cases.
Practical example
Three partners lent Khalid a sum, and the contract provided for their solidarity. One of them demanded the whole sum from Khalid, and he is entitled to do so. Khalid may object against this partner with what is specific to him or what the three partners share, but he may not object with a defense that is specific only to another partner.
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 213 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 213 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Can one of the joint creditors demand the whole debt from the debtor?
Yes. Joint creditors, together or individually, may demand the whole debt from the debtor.
What defenses may the debtor raise against a joint creditor who claims against him?
Defenses specific to this creditor and defenses common to all the creditors.
May the debtor rely on a defense that belongs to another creditor?
No. The debtor may not object against the claiming creditor with defenses specific to another creditor.
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 199
The article provides that an obligation does not arise if it is made conditional on a condition whose purpose is to encourage something unlawful.
لا ينشأ الالتزام إذا عُلق على شرطٍ يكون القصد من التعليق عليه الحض على أمر غير مشروع.
- 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
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.