Article 38 of the Saudi Enforcement Law
المادة 38 من نظام التنفيذ · الفصل العاشر: التنفيذ في الأحوال الشخصية
An enforceable instrument in personal status matters is enforced by the methods set out in the Law and the Implementing Regulations, which set the procedures for enforcing instruments involving periodic payments.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- ينفذ السند التنفيذي المتعلق بمسائل الأحوال الشخصية بالطرق المقررة في النظام واللائحة.
2- تبين اللائحة إجراءات التنفيذ في مسائل الأحوال الشخصية المتضمنة دفع أموال بشكل دوري.
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 38 explained in plain English
This article opens the provisions on enforcement in personal status matters, and provides two things:
- Methods of enforcement: An enforceable instrument relating to personal status matters is enforced by the methods set out in the Law and the Implementing Regulations. That is, the enforcement tools governed by the Law and its Regulations apply to these instruments, in addition to the special provisions in the following articles.
- Periodic payments: The Implementing Regulations set out the enforcement procedures in personal status matters that involve periodic payments of money, such as an instrument requiring payment of a monthly sum. The article does not state the details of these procedures; they are left to the Implementing Regulations.
This article is linked to what follows. Article 39 provides for compulsory enforcement of an instrument issued on custody and visitation, even if this leads to using the competent force and entering homes as circumstances require, and for re-enforcing it whenever necessary. It also provides that the direct enforcement provisions apply to a person who refuses to comply in personal status matters, under rules set by the Implementing Regulations that take into account the nature of personal status matters and the circumstances of enforcement.
It is preceded by Article 37, which governs imprisoning the enforcement debtor to compel him to comply if 30 working days pass after compulsory enforcement procedures are taken without compliance.
A person who holds an enforceable instrument in a family matter and needs to know how it is enforced in his case may seek the help of a lawyer specialized in personal status or enforcement.
Practical example
Sarah obtained a judgment obliging her former husband to pay a monthly sum for their children who live with her in Riyadh. This instrument is enforced by the methods set out in the Enforcement Law and its Implementing Regulations, and the procedures for enforcing the periodic amount are as the Implementing Regulations set out.
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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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 38 of the Saudi Enforcement Law
How are personal status judgments enforced?
An enforceable instrument relating to personal status matters is enforced by the methods set out in the Enforcement Law and its Implementing Regulations.
How are personal status judgments involving periodic payments enforced?
The Implementing Regulations set out the enforcement procedures in personal status matters that involve periodic payments of money.
More articles on Enforcing Custody and Visitation Judgments
- Article 39
An instrument on custody and visitation is enforced compulsorily, even using the competent force and entering homes, and re-enforced whenever necessary; direct enforcement provisions apply to those who refuse, under the Implementing Regulations.
1- ينفذ -جبرًا- السند التنفيذي الصادر بالحضانة، والزيارة، حتى لو أدى ذلك إلى الاستعانة بالقوة المختصة وإلى دخول المنازل بحسب ما يقتضيه الحال، ويعاد تنفيذ السند
- Article 40
When enforcing an instrument on visiting a child in custody, the court must take into account what serves the child's interest and suits the circumstances of enforcement, with details left to the Implementing Regulations.
تراعي المحكمة في تنفيذ السند التنفيذي الصادر بزيارة المحضون ما يحقق مصلحته، ويتناسب مع ظروف التنفيذ. وتحدد اللائحة الأحكام اللازمة لإنفاذ ما ورد في هذه المادة.
- Article 54
Anyone, a parent or otherwise, who refuses to comply with, resists or obstructs an enforcement order on custody, guardianship or visitation is punished by up to 90 days' imprisonment and a fine of up to SAR 30,000, or either.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (تسعين) يومًا، وبغرامة لا تزيد على (ثلاثين ألف) ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين؛ كل من امتنع من الوالدين -أو غيرهما- عن تنفيذ أمر تن
- Article 61
The Ministry of Justice licenses and supervises enforcement service providers such as the judicial sales agent and the judicial custodian, and the Minister issues regulations governing their work and fees.
1- تتولى الوزارة الترخيص لمقدمي خدمات التنفيذ والإشراف عليهم. ويُعد من مقدمي خدمات التنفيذ: وكيل البيع القضائي، والحارس القضائي، ومقدم خدمة استرداد الأصول، ومقد
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.