Article 584 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 584 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الأول: إنشاء عقد الكفالة
A suretyship for a larger amount or on harsher terms than the debt is valid only to the extent of the debt owed and on its terms, while a suretyship for a smaller amount and on lighter terms is valid.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا كانت الكفالة في مبلغ أكبر مما هو مستحق على المدين وبشروط أشد من المكفول فيه لم تصح إلا في قدر الدين المستحق على المدين وبشروطه.
2- تصح الكفالة في مبلغ أقل من الدين المستحق على المدين وبشروط أخف.
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 584 explained in plain English
This article sets the ceiling of the surety's obligation in comparison with the debtor's original obligation.
First: suretyship for a larger amount or on harsher terms
If the suretyship is for an amount larger than what the debtor owes and on terms harsher than the obligation guaranteed, it is not void in its entirety, but is valid only to the extent of the debt owed by the debtor and on its terms. The surety is not claimed against for more than the debtor owes, or on harsher terms than his.
Second: suretyship for a smaller amount or on lighter terms
Suretyship is valid for an amount smaller than the debt owed by the debtor and on lighter terms. A person may, for example, stand surety for only part of the debt.
The idea is that the surety guarantees the debtor's obligation, so his obligation may not be heavier than the obligation he guarantees, but it may be lighter than it.
Linked to this article are Article 583, which requires, in suretyship for a future debt, that the amount guaranteed be fixed in advance, and Article 585, which provides that the surety's obligation in an unrestricted suretyship follows the debtor's obligation, whether immediate or deferred.
Anyone who wants to check the limits of his obligation as a surety is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in civil cases.
Practical example
Turki owes a debt of SAR 50,000, and his brother stood surety for him in a contract stating SAR 70,000. Under the article, the suretyship is valid only for SAR 50,000, the amount of the debt owed by the debtor, and on its terms. Had he stood surety for only SAR 30,000, the suretyship would have been valid.
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 584 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Can the surety be claimed against for more than the debt?
No. If the suretyship is for a larger amount and on harsher terms, it is valid only to the extent of the debt owed by the debtor and on its terms.
May I stand surety for only part of the debt?
Yes. Suretyship is valid for an amount smaller than the debt owed by the debtor and on lighter terms.
More articles on Suretyship
- Article 222
The Article provides that solidarity among debtors is not presumed and arises only by agreement or legal provision.
لا يكون التضامن بين المدينين إلا باتفاق أو بنص نظامي.
- Article 578
The article defines suretyship as a contract in which the surety undertakes to the creditor to perform an obligation owed by the debtor if the debtor himself does not perform it.
الكفالة عقدٌ يلتزم بمقتضاه الكفيل للدائن بأن يفي بالتزام على المدين إذا لم يَفِ به المدين نفسه.
- Article 579
Suretyship is concluded between the surety and the creditor, the creditor's silence counts as acceptance, and it does not depend on the debtor's acceptance, so it is valid without his knowledge and despite his objection.
1- تنعقد الكفالة بين الكفيل والدائن، ويعد سكوت الدائن إذا وجه إليه الإيجاب قبولًا للكفالة. 2- لا يتوقف انعقاد الكفالة على قبول المدين، وتجوز دون علمه، وتجوز أيض
- Article 580
The article requires the surety to have full capacity, limits a suretyship by a person on his deathbed to one third of the estate unless the heirs approve, and a suretyship to or for an heir takes effect only with their approval.
1- يجب في عقد الكفالة أن يكون الكفيل كامل الأهلية. 2- الكفالة من المريض مرض الموت لا تنفذ في حق الورثة فيما زاد على (ثلث) التركة إلا بإجازتهم، وإذا كانت الكفالة
- Article 581
The article provides that suretyship is valid only if the obligation guaranteed is valid.
لا تكون الكفالة صحيحة إلا إذا كان الالتزام المكفول به صحيحًا.
- Article 582
The article allows suretyship to be immediate, conditional, for a limited period, or deferred to a term.
يصح أن تكون الكفالة منجزةً أو معلقةً على شرط أو مؤقتةً أو مضافةً إلى أجل.
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.