Article 18 of the Saudi Elderly Rights and Care Law
المادة 18 من نظام حقوق كبير السن ورعايته
The article allows the competent court to impose an alternative penalty to those in Article 16, provided that it is in service of the elderly.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للمحكمة المختصة أن تحكم بعقوبة بديلة عن العقوبات الواردة في المادة (السادسة عشرة) من النظام على أن تكون في خدمة كبار السن.
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 18 explained in plain English
This article gives the competent court flexibility in punishment, allowing it to impose an alternative penalty to the penalties in Article 16. The penalties in Article 16 are one or more of imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of up to SAR 500,000, for anyone who breaches Articles 3 and 15.
The article has two elements:
- Permissive, not mandatory: the phrase "the competent court may impose" means the matter is left to the court's discretion, so the accused cannot insist on the alternative penalty.
- A limit on the type of alternative: the alternative penalty must be in service of the elderly.
The idea is that the alternative is tied to the violation itself, so someone who breached the rights of an elderly person may be required to serve the elderly instead of imprisonment or a fine. The article does not state the forms this service takes or its duration.
This provision is read together with Article 17, which provides for applying the harsher penalty if any of the acts in Article 15 constitutes a crime under other laws, and Article 19, under which the Public Prosecution investigates violations of Articles 3 and 15 and brings the case before the competent court. Anyone party to a case who wants to know whether an alternative penalty can be requested should consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A young man in Buraidah was found to have intentionally failed to care for his needy grandfather, whom he supports. Instead of sentencing him to imprisonment or a fine under Article 16, the competent court may impose an alternative penalty, provided that it is in service of the elderly.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 18 of the Saudi Elderly Rights and Care Law
Can imprisonment be replaced with another penalty in elderly cases?
Yes, the competent court may impose an alternative penalty to those in Article 16, provided that it is in service of the elderly.
Is the alternative penalty a right of the accused?
No, the text makes it permissive for the competent court: "the competent court may impose".
What is the condition for the alternative penalty?
That it be in service of the elderly.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Penalty for Mistreating the Elderly
- Article 15
The article prohibits the caregiver from dealing with the elderly person's property without their consent or intentionally failing to protect their rights and care, and prohibits anyone entrusted with authority over their property from intentionally mismanaging it.
1- يحظر على العائل التصرف في مال كبير السن دون موافقته. 2- يحظر على العائل الإخلال عمدًا بحماية حقوق كبير السن المحتاج ورعايته. 3- يحظر إساءة التصرف عمدًا في ما
- Article 16
The article punishes breach of Articles 3 and 15 with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to SAR 500,000 or both, excludes the caregiver if the father or wife, and allows doubling for repeat offense.
1- يعاقب من يخل بأيٍّ من أحكام المادتين (الثالثة) و(الخامسة عشرة) من النظام، بعقوبة أو أكثر من العقوبات الآتية: أ- السجن مدة لا تزيد على سنة. ب- غرامة لا تزيد ع
- Article 17
The article applies the harsher penalty if any of the acts prohibited in Article 15 constitutes a crime under other laws.
إذا شكل أي من الأفعال الواردة في المادة (الخامسة عشرة) من النظام؛ جريمة بموجب أنظمة أخرى؛ فتطبق العقوبة الأشد.
- Article 19
The article assigns the Public Prosecution to investigate violations of Articles 3 and 15 of the Law and to bring the case before the competent court.
تتولى النيابة العامة التحقيق في المخالفات الواردة في المادتين (الثالثة) و(الخامسة عشرة) من النظام، وإقامة الدعوى أمام المحكمة المختصة.
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.