Article 20 of the Saudi Enforcement Law before the Board of Grievances
المادة 20 من نظام التنفيذ أمام ديوان المظالم · الفصل الرابع: إجراءات التنفيذ ضد الجهات الإدارية ولصالحها
The article allows the Enforcement Circuit, other than in enforcement to collect sums of money and after the Article 10 or Article 16 time limit has expired, to impose a fine not exceeding ten thousand riyals for each day of delay.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
فيما عدا التنفيذ لاقتضاء المبالغ المالية، لدائرة التنفيذ -بعد انقضاء المهلة المنصوص عليها في المادة (العاشرة) أو المادة (السادسة عشرة) بحسب الأحوال- أن تفرض غرامة لا تزيد على عشرة آلاف ريال على المنفذ ضده عن كل يوم يمضي دون إتمام التنفيذ.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article gives the Enforcement Circuit a means of pressure to ensure enforcement, namely the daily fine.
- Scope: it applies other than in enforcement to collect sums of money, that is, to judgments and instruments in which what is required is an act or a procedure rather than the payment of a sum, such as issuing a decision or reinstating an employee.
- Timing: after the time limit in Article 10 has expired (in enforcement against the administrative body: 5 days for urgent judgments and 30 days for others from notification of the notice, unless the Circuit sets a shorter period), or in Article 16 (in enforcement in favor of the administrative body: not exceeding 30 days from notification of the enforcement order), as the case may be.
- Amount: not more than SAR 10,000 for each day that passes without enforcement being completed.
- Against whom? Against the party against whom enforcement is sought, whether an administrative body or another, depending on the type of enforcement.
The wording is discretionary: "the Enforcement Circuit may impose", so the Circuit decides whether to impose the fine and in what amount, within the cap.
Article 21 sets out what becomes of this fine: the Circuit settles it when enforcement is completed or becomes impossible or 6 months pass from the fine taking effect without enforcement being completed, and it issues a judgment obliging the party against whom enforcement is sought to pay the enforcement requester, at his request, the amount the Circuit has determined, or canceling the fine or part of it. Article 19 also prevents anyone other than the Circuit from being assigned this procedure.
If you have a specific situation, it is best to consult a lawyer specialized in administrative and enforcement cases before the Board of Grievances.
Practical example
A final judgment was issued requiring a government body to issue a license to an establishment in Makkah, and the notice period expired without enforcement. The Enforcement Circuit may impose on the body a fine not exceeding SAR 10,000 for each day that passes without enforcement being completed.
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 20 of the Saudi Enforcement Law before the Board of Grievances
How much is the delay fine for enforcing a Board of Grievances judgment?
It does not exceed ten thousand riyals for each day that passes without enforcement being completed.
Is the fine imposed in monetary judgments?
No. The text excludes enforcement to collect sums of money.
When does the fine begin?
After the time limit in Article 10 or Article 16 has expired, as the case may be.
To whom is the fine paid?
Under Article 21, when settling it the Circuit rules that the party against whom enforcement is sought must pay the enforcement requester, at his request, the amount the Circuit has determined.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 10
The article requires the enforcement circuit to warn the administrative authority immediately on referral to enforce within five days for urgent judgments and thirty days otherwise, with the option of notifying the oversight body.
تصدر دائرة التنفيذ -فور إحالة الطلب إليها- إنذاراً للجهة الإدارية للتنفيذ خلال مهلة لا تتجاوز (خمسة) أيام في الأحكام العاجلة، و(ثلاثين) يوماً فيما عداها، وذلك م
- Article 16
The article requires the Enforcement Circuit, when enforcing an instrument issued in favor of the administrative body, to order the party against whom enforcement is sought, immediately on referral, to enforce within a period not exceeding thirty days from being notified.
في سبيل تنفيذ السند الصادر لمصلحة الجهة الإدارية، تصدر دائرة التنفيذ فور إحالة طلب التنفيذ إليها أمراً إلى المطلوب التنفيذ ضده لتنفيذ السند خلال مهلة لا تتجاوز
More articles on Delay Fine in Enforcement
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.

