Article 40 of the Saudi Enforcement Law
المادة 40 من نظام التنفيذ · الفصل العاشر: التنفيذ في الأحوال الشخصية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 40 explained in plain English
This article concerns enforcing an enforceable instrument issued on visiting a child in custody, and sets two criteria the court must take into account when enforcing:
- The interest of the child in custody: That enforcement be carried out in a way that serves his interest.
- The circumstances of enforcement: That enforcement suit its circumstances.
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations to set the rules needed to give effect to this. It does not mention, for example, the place of the visit, how it is carried out or its duration, and nothing of that can be assumed from the text itself.
This article is read with Article 39, which 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, with the direct enforcement provisions applying to a person who refuses under rules that take into account the nature of personal status matters and the circumstances of enforcement. Article 40 adds that the court, when enforcing a visitation instrument, keeps the interest of the child in custody and the circumstances of enforcement in mind.
It is followed by Article 41, which governs enforcement against a private legal person, with the direct enforcement provisions applying to those of its personnel who cause enforcement to be obstructed.
A person with a dispute over how visitation is enforced in his case may need to consult a lawyer specialized in personal status.
Practical example
A father obtained a judgment to visit his son, who is in his mother's custody in Medina. When enforcing the visitation instrument, the court takes into account what serves the child's interest and suits the circumstances of enforcement, and the details of that are as the Implementing Regulations specify.
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 40 of the Saudi Enforcement Law
What does the court take into account when enforcing a visitation judgment?
It takes into account what serves the interest of the child in custody and suits the circumstances of enforcement.
Who determines the details of enforcing a visitation judgment?
The Implementing Regulations set the rules needed to give effect to this article; the article does not mention details such as the place or duration of the visit.
More articles on Enforcing Custody and Visitation Judgments
- Article 38
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.
1- ينفذ السند التنفيذي المتعلق بمسائل الأحوال الشخصية بالطرق المقررة في النظام واللائحة. 2- تبين اللائحة إجراءات التنفيذ في مسائل الأحوال الشخصية المتضمنة دفع أ
- 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 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.