Article 239 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 239 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفصل الأول: حوالة الحق
The Article limits the validity of an assignment of a right to the portion that is attachable, so what cannot be attached cannot validly be assigned.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تصح حوالة الحق إلا بقدر ما يكون منه قابلًا للحجز.
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 239 explained in plain English
This Article places a restriction on the validity of an assignment of a right, and ties it to whether the right can be attached.
The rule: An assignment of a right is valid only to the extent that the right is attachable.
This means:
- If the whole right is attachable, its assignment is valid in full.
- If only part of it is attachable, the assignment is valid for that part only.
- What cannot be attached cannot validly be assigned.
The idea is that rights that the Law protects from attachment should not be transferable by assignment in a way that would empty that protection of its content.
This Article does not specify what is attachable and what is not; this is referred to the legal provisions that regulate attachment. Therefore, before concluding an assignment of a particular right, it is advisable to confirm the extent to which it is attachable.
This Article comes after Article 238, which allows a creditor to assign his right to another person unless legal provisions, agreement or the nature of the obligation require otherwise, so it represents an additional restriction on the permissibility of assignment. Article 240 then sets out the conditions for the assignment's enforceability against the debtor and third parties.
To assess whether a particular right is attachable and therefore assignable, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in civil cases or an enforcement lawyer.
Practical example
Khalid wants to assign a right he has against a certain party to one of his creditors. Before doing so he must confirm the extent to which that right may be attached under the legal provisions regulating attachment, because the assignment is valid only to that extent.
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 239 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Can any right be assigned?
No. An assignment of a right is valid only to the extent that the right is attachable, in addition to the restrictions in Article 238.
What is the rule on assigning a part of the right that is not attachable?
The assignment is not valid as to it, because assignment is limited to the attachable portion.
Where can I find what is attachable and what is not?
This Article does not specify it; it is referred to the legal provisions regulating attachment.
More articles on Assignment of Rights and Debts
- Article 238
The Article allows a creditor to assign his right to another person unless legal provisions, agreement or the nature of the obligation prevent it, and does not require the debtor's consent for the assignment to be concluded.
للدائن أن يحيل حقه إلى شخص آخر، وذلك ما لم تقتضِ النصوص النظامية أو الاتفاق أو طبيعة الالتزام خلاف ذلك، ولا يشترط لانعقاد الحوالة رضى المدين بها.
- Article 240
The Article requires, for an assignment to be enforceable against the debtor and third parties, that the debtor accept it or be notified of it by a lawful means, and that acceptance relied on against third parties be in writing with a certain date.
لا تكون حوالة الحق نافذة تجاه المدين أو تجاه الغير إلا إذا قبلها المدين أو أُعلِم بها بأي وسيلة مقررة نظامًا، على أن نفاذها تجاه الغير بقبول المدين يستلزم أن يك
- Article 241
The Article provides that the assigned right passes to the assignee with its attributes, accessories and guarantees as it was with the assignor.
ينتقل الحق إلى المحال له بصفاته وتوابعه وضماناته.
- Article 242
The Article determines the assignor's guarantee: in an assignment for consideration he guarantees the existence of the right at the time it is concluded unless otherwise agreed, and in an assignment without consideration he does not guarantee its existence.
1- إذا كانت الحوالة بعوض، لم يضمن المحيل إلا وجود الحق المحال به وقت انعقاد الحوالة، ما لم يتفق على خلاف ذلك. 2- إذا كانت الحوالة بغير عوض، لم يضمن المحيل وجود
- Article 243
The assignor does not guarantee the debtor's solvency except by special agreement, and if he guarantees it, the guarantee applies to solvency at the time the assignment is concluded unless otherwise agreed.
لا يضمن المحيل يسار المدين إلا إذا وجد اتفاق خاص على هذا الضمان، وإذا ضمن المحيل يسار المدين لا ينصرف هذا الضمان إلا إلى اليسار وقت انعقاد الحوالة ما لم يتفق عل
- Article 244
The Article sets the ceiling of the assignee's recourse against the assignor under the guarantee: the assignor is required only to return what he took together with expenses, even if otherwise agreed.
إذا رجع المحال له بالضمان على المحيل طبقًا للمادتين (الثانية والأربعين بعد المائتين) و(الثالثة والأربعين بعد المائتين) من هذا النظام، فلا يلزم المحيل ردُّ أكثر
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.