Article 466 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 466 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الثاني: التزامات المقاول
If the contractor breaches the contract, the client may call on the contractor to correct the work and then give it to another contractor at the contractor's expense or request termination, and may request termination at once in specified cases.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا أخل المقاول بشروط العقد أثناء سير العمل فلصاحب العمل إعذاره بالالتزام بها وتصحيح العمل خلال مدة معقولة يعينها له، فإذا انقضت هذه المدة دون تصحيح فلصاحب العمل أن يعهد إلى مقاول آخر بإنجاز العمل أو تصحيحه على نفقة المقاول الأول وفق أحكام المادة (السابعة والستين بعد المائة) من هذا النظام أو أن يطلب فسخ العقد.
2- لصاحب العمل طلب فسخ العقد في الحال إذا استحال إصلاح الخلل أو تأخر المقاول في البدء بتنفيذ العمل أو في إنجازه تأخرًا لا يرجى معه أن يتمكن من إتمامه في المدة المتفق عليها.
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 466 explained in plain English
This article deals with what the client has if the contractor breaches the contract terms while the work is under way, and distinguishes two routes:
First: the graduated route (paragraph 1).
- The client may call on the contractor to comply with the contract terms and correct the work within a reasonable period the client sets.
- If the period passes without correction, the client has one of two options: to entrust another contractor with completing or correcting the work at the first contractor's expense under Article 167 of the Law, or to request termination of the contract.
Second: requesting termination at once (paragraph 2). The client may request termination directly, without going through the call to comply, in three cases:
- If correcting the defect is impossible.
- If the contractor is late in starting the work, to a degree that makes it unlikely the contractor can complete it within the agreed period.
- If the contractor is late in completing it, to a degree that makes it unlikely the contractor can complete it within the agreed period.
This article applies the obligation in Article 465 to complete the work according to the contract terms and within the agreed period. Note that the text speaks of "requesting" termination, and refers to Article 167 for assigning another contractor without setting out its rules here. Because the steps taken may affect rights, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in civil matters or in contracting and real estate cases before taking them.
Practical example
Abdulrahman contracted with a contractor to build a villa in Riyadh and then noticed that the contractor was pouring the ceilings contrary to the agreed specifications. He may call on the contractor to correct the work within a reasonable period he sets. If it passes without correction, he may assign another contractor to correct it at the first contractor's expense under Article 167, or request termination of the contract.
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 466 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
What should I do if the contractor breaches the contract terms during the work?
The client may call on the contractor to comply with the terms and correct the work within a reasonable period the client sets. If the contractor does not correct it, the client may assign another contractor at the contractor's expense under Article 167 or request termination.
When may termination of a contracting contract be requested at once?
If correcting the defect is impossible, or the contractor is late in starting or completing to a degree that makes it unlikely the work can be completed within the agreed period.
Can another contractor be assigned at the expense of the breaching contractor?
Yes, if the reasonable period set in the call to comply passes without correction, under Article 167.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Contracting (Construction) Contract
- Article 167
The article regulates performance of an obligation to perform work: the creditor's right to refuse performance by anyone but the debtor, performance at the debtor's expense with or without court permission when urgent, and a judgment standing in for the work.
إذا كان الالتزام بعمل فتسري على تنفيذه الأحكام الآتية: أ- إذا نص الاتفاق أو اقتضت طبيعة العمل أن ينفذ المدين الالتزام بنفسه جاز للدائن أن يرفض الوفاء من غير الم
- Article 461
The article defines the contracting (muqawala) contract as one in which the contractor undertakes to make a thing or perform work for a fee, without being subordinate to or an agent of the client.
المقاولة عقدٌ يلتزم بمقتضاه المقاول بصنع شيءٍ أو أداء عملٍ مقابل أجر دون أن يكون تابعًا لصاحب العمل ولا نائبًا عنه.
- Article 462
The article allows the contractor to carry out the work with materials supplied by the contractor or with materials supplied by the client.
يصح أن يكون التزام المقاول بتنفيذ العمل بمواد من عنده أو من صاحب العمل.
- Article 463
The article sets the contractor's obligations on materials: if the contractor supplies them, they must meet the specifications or be fit for the purpose by custom; if the client supplies them, the contractor must safeguard them, observe technical rules and return what is left.
1- إذا اشترط صاحب العمل أن يقدم المقاول المواد كلها أو بعضها؛ كان المقاول مسؤولًا عن توفر الشروط والمواصفات المتفق عليها إن وجدت، وإلا التزم بأن تكون وافيةً بال
- Article 464
The article puts the expenses of the machines and tools needed to complete the work on the contractor, unless the parties agree otherwise.
يتحمَّل المقاول نفقات ما يستلزمه إنجاز العمل من آلات وأدوات، ما لم يتفق على خلاف ذلك.
- Article 465
The article requires the contractor to complete the work according to the contract terms and within the agreed period, failing which according to the recognized standards and within the reasonable time the nature of the work requires.
يلتزم المقاول بإنجاز العمل وفقًا لشروط العقد وفي المدة المتفق عليها، فإن لم تكن هناك شروطٌ أو لم يُتفق على مدةٍ التزم بإنجازه وفقًا للأصول المتعارف عليها وفي ال
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.