Article 703 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 703 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الرابع: حق الارتفاق أولًا: إنشاء حق الارتفاق
The owner of a property not connected to the public road, or reached only at exorbitant cost or great hardship, has a right of way over the neighboring property to the usual extent in return for fair compensation.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لصاحب العقار الذي لا يتصل بالطريق العام أو كان وصوله إليه يتم بنفقة باهظة أو مشقة كبيرة حق المرور في العقار المجاور بالقدر المعتاد مقابل عوض عادل، ولا يستعمل هذا الحق إلا في العقار الذي يكون المرور فيه أخف ضررًا وفي موضع منه يتحقق فيه ذلك.
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 703 explained in plain English
This Article addresses the problem of a property cut off from the road, and gives its owner a right of way over the neighboring property, subject to clear conditions and limits:
When does the right arise? In one of two cases:
- The property is not connected to the public road.
- Or reaching the road involves exorbitant cost or great hardship.
Limits on exercising the right:
- Passage is to the usual extent, and no more.
- It is in return for fair compensation, paid by the owner of the cut-off property.
- It is exercised only over the property where passage causes the least harm.
- And at the place on that property where the least harm results.
The Article thus balances the need of the owner of the cut-off property to reach the road against the neighbor's right not to be harmed more than necessary and to be fairly compensated.
It follows Article 702, which prevents a landowner from stopping someone who has an established right of way over it, and provides that a right of way is not established by permission given as a courtesy. The Article does not state the amount of the compensation or how it is determined, so if the parties cannot agree it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in real estate and civil matters.
Practical example
Faisal bought land on the outskirts of Riyadh that is not connected to any public road and is surrounded by the lands of two neighbors. He has a right of way over one of them to the usual extent in return for fair compensation, over the land where passage causes the least harm, and at the place on it where this is achieved.
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 703 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Can I pass over my neighbor's land if my land has no road?
Yes. The owner of a property not connected to the public road has a right of way over the neighboring property to the usual extent in return for fair compensation.
Is the passage free of charge?
No. The right is in return for fair compensation.
What if my land has a road, but reaching it is very difficult?
You have the right if reaching the public road involves exorbitant cost or great hardship.
Over which property does the passage run if there are several neighbors?
Over the property where passage causes the least harm, and at the place on it where that is achieved.
More articles on Preemption, Possession and Easements
- Article 26
The article divides the real right into principal rights, such as ownership, usufruct, use, habitation, easement and waqf, and accessory rights, such as mortgage and privilege, together with what the legal provisions so consider.
1- يكون الحقُّ العينيُّ أصليًّا أو تبعيًّا. 2- الحقوق العينية الأصلية هي حق الملكية، وحق الانتفاع، وحق الاستعمال، وحق السكنى، وحق الارتفاق، وحق الوقف، وما يعد ك
- Article 658
The article defines preemption (shuf'a) as the right of a co-owner to acquire the sold real estate for the price at which it was sold plus its expenses.
الشفعة حق الشريك في أن يتملّك العقار المبيع بالثمن الذي بيع به وبنفقاته.
- Article 659
The article provides that where more than one preemptor comes together, each one's entitlement to preemption is in proportion to his share.
إذا اجتمع أكثر من شفيع كان استحقاق كل منهم من الشفعة على قدر نصيبه.
- Article 660
The article provides that if a buyer sells property subject to preemption to another before the preemptor is notified of his wish to take by preemption under Article 666, the preemptor takes it only at the price of the second sale plus its expenses.
إذا اشترى شخص ما تصح الشفعة فيه ثم باعه لآخر قبل إعلام الشفيع رغبته الأخذ بالشفعة وفقًا للفقرتين (ب) و(ج) من المادة (السادسة والستين بعد الستمائة) من هذا النظام
- Article 661
The article fixes when the right of preemption is established: when the sale is completed, provided that the reason giving rise to preemption exists.
تثبت الشفعة بتمام البيع مع قيام السبب الموجب لها.
- Article 662
The article requires, for the right of preemption to be established, that the preemptor owned his share in the real estate at the time the buyer bought the seller's share.
ليس للشفيع حق الشفعة إلا إذا كان مالكًا لنصيبه في العقار وقت شراء المشتري نصيب البائع.
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.