Article 373 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 373 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الثاني: آثار عقد الهبة
The article obliges the donee, in a gift conditional on an obligation, to perform what the donor required, whether it is for the donor's benefit or for the benefit of someone else.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا كانت الهبة مشروطةً بالتزامٍ لزم الموهوب له أداء ما اشترطه الواهب من التزامٍ لمصلحته أو لمصلحة غيره.
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 373 explained in plain English
A donor may attach to his gift a condition that the donee must fulfill. This article explains the effect of this condition: it is not a mere wish, but a binding obligation on the donee.
The following is clear from the text:
- Binding force: the donee must perform the obligation that the donor required.
- Beneficiary of the obligation: the obligation may be for the benefit of the donor himself, such as requiring that the donee support him, or for the benefit of someone else, such as requiring that the donee give part of the income to a charity or to a specific person.
This article does not address the consequence of the donee's failure to comply with the condition; it is limited to providing that performance is binding.
Also connected to this article are Article 372, on the donor not guaranteeing against third-party claims and defects except in specific cases, and Article 374, which obliges the donee to pay a debt secured by a right in rem over the gifted item, up to its value, unless otherwise agreed.
Anyone who has received a conditional gift, or has given one with a condition, and wants to know his rights in case of breach, should consult a lawyer who specializes in civil cases.
Practical example
Abu Faisal gave his son a building in Riyadh and required him to pay part of its rent each month to his paternal aunt. Under this article the son must perform this obligation, because it is a condition set by the donor for the benefit of someone else in a conditional gift.
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 373 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Must the donee carry out the donor's condition?
Yes. If the gift is conditional on an obligation, the donee must perform what the donor required.
Can the condition be for the benefit of another person?
Yes. The obligation may be for the benefit of the donor or for the benefit of someone else.
Is the donee bound by secured debts on the gifted item?
Under Article 374, if a right in rem over the gifted item secures a debt owed by the donor or another person, the donee must pay it up to the value of the gifted item, unless otherwise agreed.
More articles on Gift
- Article 293
The article subjects release to the substantive provisions on gifts and does not require a particular form for it.
تسري على الإبراء الأحكام الموضوعية للتبرعات، ولا يُشترط فيه شكل خاص.
- Article 366
The article defines a gift as a contract by which the donor, during his lifetime, transfers ownership of property to the donee without consideration.
الهبة عقد يُملِّكُ بمقتضاه الواهبُ حال حياته الموهوب له مالًا دون عوض.
- Article 367
The article allows the donor to impose a specific obligation on the donee, and makes the contract one for value if the donor requires consideration.
1- يصح أن يشترط الواهب التزامًا معيَّنًا على الموهوب له. 2- إذا اشترط الواهب عوضًا على الموهوب له فيكون العقد معاوضة تطبق عليه أحكام المعاوضات بحسب طبيعة العوض.
- Article 368
The article requires that a gift of real estate be documented in accordance with the legal provisions to be formed, and accepts documentation or delivery for a gift of movable property, even without documentation.
1- إذا كان الموهوب عقارًا فلا تنعقد هبته إلا بتوثيقها وفق النصوص النظامية. 2- إذا كان الموهوب منقولًا فلا تنعقد هبته إلا بتوثيقها وفق النصوص النظامية أو بالقبض
- Article 369
The article provides that a gift of property the donor does not own does not take effect, unless the owner approves it.
لا ينفذ عقد الهبة إذا كان الموهوب غير مملوك للواهب إلا إذا أجازه المالك.
- Article 370
The article allows a creditor to give the debt to the debtor himself, and treats such a gift as a release of the debtor from the debt.
تصح هبة الدين للمدين، وتعد إبراء.
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.