Article 235 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 235 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الرابع: عدم قابلية الالتزام للانقسام
The Article defines an indivisible obligation as one concerning a subject that by nature cannot be divided, or one that the parties' purpose shows may not be performed in parts.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون الالتزام غير قابل للانقسام إذا ورد على محل لا يقبل أن ينقسم بطبيعته، أو تبين من الغرض الذي قصده المتعاقدان أن الالتزام لا يجوز تنفيذه منقسمًا.
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 235 explained in plain English
This Article opens the provisions on the indivisibility of an obligation, and determines when an obligation is considered indivisible.
An obligation is indivisible in one of two cases:
- By the nature of the subject: if the obligation concerns a subject that by its nature does not admit division.
- By the intention of the contracting parties: if the purpose the parties intended shows that the obligation may not be performed in parts, even if its subject is divisible in itself.
The first case goes back to the nature of the thing itself, and the second to what the parties wanted from the contract.
The importance of this description appears when there are multiple debtors or creditors:
- Article 236 provides that if there are multiple debtors in an indivisible obligation, each of them is bound to pay the debt in full, and the one who paid has recourse against the others, each in proportion to his share.
- Article 237 allows each of the multiple creditors, or the creditor's heirs, to claim its performance in full.
Note that indivisibility differs from solidarity: solidarity arises only by agreement or legal provision (Article 222), whereas indivisibility may arise from the nature of the subject or the purpose of the contracting parties, as this Article states.
Anyone who wants an obligation not to be performable in parts should state this clearly in the contract. In case of dispute about the characterization, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in civil cases.
Practical example
A landowner in Tabuk agrees with an engineering office to prepare a complete plan for a single residential building. The purpose of the parties shows that the plan is useful to the landowner only if complete, so the obligation is indivisible and may not be performed in parts.
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 235 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
When is an obligation indivisible?
When it concerns a subject that by nature does not admit division, or when the parties' purpose shows that it may not be performed in parts.
Can a thing be divisible while the obligation is not?
Yes, if the purpose the contracting parties intended shows that the obligation may not be performed in parts.
What is the effect of indivisibility if there are multiple debtors?
Article 236 provides that each debtor is bound to pay the debt in full, and the one who paid has recourse against the others, each in proportion to his share.
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.