Article 376 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 376 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الثالث: الرجوع في الهبة
The article allows the donor to revoke the gift if the donee agrees to return the gifted item; if he refuses, the donor may ask the court in three specific cases.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجوز للواهب أن يرجع في الهبة إذا قبل الموهوب له رد الموهوب.
2- إذا لم يقبل الموهوب له رد الموهوب فللواهب أن يطلب ذلك من المحكمة في الحالات الآتية:
أ- إذا كانت الهبة من أحد الوالدين لولده إذا وجد مسوّغ لذلك.
ب- إذا جعل الواهب لنفسه حق الرجوع في الهبة في حالاتٍ حددها يكون له فيها غرضٌ مشروعٌ.
ج- إذا كانت الهبة مشروطةً صراحةً أو ضمنًا بالتزامٍ على الموهوب له وأخلَّ به.
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 376 explained in plain English
This article explains when a donor may revoke his gift, and distinguishes between two routes:
First: revocation by agreement. The donor may revoke the gift if the donee accepts returning the gifted item. If they agree on the return, the matter does not need the court.
Second: revocation through the court. If the donee does not accept returning the gifted item, the donor may ask the court for revocation, but only in the following cases:
- A gift by a parent to his child, provided there is a justification for revoking it.
- Where the donor reserved for himself the right to revoke in specified cases, provided he has a legitimate purpose in them.
- Where the gift was made conditional, expressly or impliedly, on an obligation of the donee and he failed to perform it.
It is understood from the text that revocation through the court is limited to these three cases. The article does not specify what counts as a "justification" in a gift from a parent to a child; that is left to the court's discretion.
Article 377 provides that the right of revocation in this article lapses upon the death of one of the parties to the contract before revocation. Article 375, on the costs of a gift, is also connected to it.
Because revocation of gifts often arises between family members, before filing a request it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in civil cases or in personal status matters, depending on the nature of the dispute.
Practical example
Abu Abdulrahman gave his son a car, then wanted to take it back for a reason he considered justified, but the son refused to return it. In this case the father may ask the court for revocation because the gift was from a parent to his child, provided there is a justification for it.
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 376 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Can a donor revoke his gift?
Yes, if the donee accepts returning the gifted item, or by a request to the court in the cases the article specifies if the donee does not accept the return.
Can a father revoke his gift to his son?
If the son does not accept the return, the father may ask the court for revocation if there is a justification.
Can the donor revoke if the donee does not carry out the condition?
Yes. If the gift was made conditional, expressly or impliedly, on an obligation of the donee and he failed to perform it, the donor may ask the court for revocation.
Does the right of revocation remain after the death of one of the parties?
No. Article 377 provides that the right of revocation lapses upon the death of one of the parties to the contract before revocation.
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.