Article 6 of the Saudi Eminent Domain Implementing Regulations
المادة 6 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمنفعة العامة ووضع اليد المؤقت على العقار
The article allows a company managing a public utility to take ownership of properties blocking its networks' route to the extent of its technical need, under procedures ending with the approval of the Minister supervising the utility.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة الأحكام الواردة في المادة (الخامسة) من هذه اللائحة، ودون الإخلال بما تقتضيه الأنظمة الأخرى، فإنه عند حاجة الشركة التي تتولى إدارة مرفق عام إلى عقارات تعترض مسار شبكات المرفق الذي تديره؛ يجوز لها - وفقاً لأحكام النظام - نزع ملكية تلك العقارات بالقدر الذي يتفق وطبيعة عملها، على أن يقتصر ذلك على حاجة الشبكات الفنية والتقنية، وذلك وفقاً للإجراءات الآتية :
1- تقدم الشركة طلب نزع الملكية إلى الجهة الحكومية المشرفة على نشاط المرفق العام، ويصحب الطلب بتفصيل كامل للمشروع، والعقار المراد نزع ملكيته، ومدى الحاجة الفعلية إلى نزعه.
2- تزويد الجهة الحكومية المشرفة على نشاط المرفق بتقرير يتضمن تقديراً أوليًّا لمجموع التعويضات التي سوف تدفعها عن العقار أو العقارات المراد نزعها.
3- تقدم الشركة إلى الجهة الحكومية المشرفة على نشاط المرفق العام ما يثبت مقدرتها المالية على دفع التعويضات المستحقة عن نزع الملكية.
4- تصدر قرارات الموافقة على نزع الملكية من الوزير المشرف على نشاط المرفق العام.
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 6 explained in plain English
This article allows a company that manages a public utility to take ownership of properties that block the route of the utility's networks that it manages, as follows:
- Subject to Article 5 of the Regulations, that is, coordinating to build networks as far as possible within road routes, and compensating for areas taken outside them and for high-voltage tower clearance zones.
- Without prejudice to what other laws require, and in accordance with the provisions of the law.
- To the extent consistent with the nature of its work, and provided it is limited to the networks' technical needs.
Procedures:
- The company submits an application to the government authority supervising the utility's activity, accompanied by a full description of the project and the property and the extent of the actual need to take it.
- It provides the authority with a report containing a preliminary estimate of the total compensation.
- It submits proof of its financial ability to pay the compensation due.
- Approval decisions are issued by the Minister supervising the public utility's activity.
The practical meaning for the owner is that the company does not take ownership by its own decision, but with the approval of the competent Minister after proving actual need and financial ability, and that taking is limited to the networks' technical need. Anyone who receives a notice from a utility company about his property can consult a lawyer specializing in real estate or administrative matters.
Practical example
A company that manages a water network needs part of a private plot in Dammam to lay a main line. It submits its application to the supervising government authority with a description of the project, a preliminary estimate of compensation and proof of its financial ability, and the taking happens only with the approval of the supervising Minister.
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 6 of the Saudi Eminent Domain Implementing Regulations
May a public utility company take ownership of private property?
Yes, under the provisions of the law, for properties blocking the route of its networks and only to the extent of the networks' technical needs.
Who approves taking ownership for the company's benefit?
The Minister supervising the public utility's activity.
What must the company submit with its application?
A full description of the project, the property and the extent of the actual need, a preliminary estimate of compensation, and proof of its financial ability to pay.
Articles this article refers to
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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.