Article 52 of the Saudi Enforcement Law
المادة 52 من نظام التنفيذ · الباب السادس: العقوبات
A debtor proven to have dissipated substantial property is punished by imprisonment of not more than 15 years even if he is shown to be insolvent, and the offense is a major one warranting detention.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس عشرة) سنة كل مدين ثبت قيامه بتبديد أمواله إذا كانت الأموال كثيرة ولو ثبت إعساره، ويُعد ذلك من الجرائم الكبيرة الموجبة للتوقيف.
2- يضع النائب العام –بعد التنسيق مع وزارة العدل ووزارة المالية- ضوابط ومعايير لتحديد الأموال المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة بحسب أنواع الديون وأموال المدينين.
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 52 explained in plain English
This article addresses the offense of a debtor dissipating his property:
- The offender: The debtor.
- The act: It being proven that he dissipated his property.
- The condition: That the property be substantial.
- The penalty: Imprisonment of not more than 15 years.
- Insolvency does not prevent punishment: The penalty applies even if the debtor's insolvency is established.
- Detention: This is a major offense warranting detention.
Determining substantial property: The article does not set a specific amount, but provides that the Attorney General, after coordination with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance, sets rules and criteria to determine such property according to the types of debts and debtors' property. A specific amount should not be assumed without referring to those rules.
This article follows Article 51, which punishes a public employee or equivalent who prevents or obstructs enforcement with imprisonment of not more than 5 years, and precedes Article 53, which punishes, with imprisonment of not more than 3 years and a fine of not more than SAR 100,000, or either, an enforcement applicant who requests a procedure with the intent of harming the enforcement debtor, and other categories.
Given the severity of the penalty, a person facing an accusation of dissipation needs to consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
Practical example
Judgment debts accumulated against a merchant in Jeddah, and he dissipated substantial property he held, after which his insolvency was established. If it is proven that he dissipated his property and the property was substantial according to the rules and criteria the Attorney General sets, he is punished with imprisonment of not more than 15 years, and proof of his insolvency does not prevent that.
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 contentA question about Article 52 of Enforcement Law?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
Criminal 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
شركة امتداد النظام للمحاماة والاستشارات المهنية
- Labour & Employment Law
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Law
- Commercial & Corporate Law
Frequently asked questions about Article 52 of the Saudi Enforcement Law
What is the penalty for a debtor dissipating his property?
Imprisonment of not more than 15 years if it is proven that he dissipated his property and the property was substantial.
Is an insolvent debtor punished for dissipating his property?
Yes. The penalty applies even if his insolvency is established, once dissipation is proven and the property is substantial.
Who determines what counts as substantial property?
The Attorney General, after coordination with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance, sets rules and criteria to determine it according to the types of debts and debtors' property.
Is dissipating property an offense warranting detention?
Yes. It is among the major offenses warranting detention.
More articles on Enforcement Offenses and Penalties
- Article 28
The article requires the court to refer to the investigating authority any concealment, smuggling or dissipation of the debtor's property or provision of misleading information, without stopping enforcement.
إذا توافر لدى المحكمة أدلة أو قرائن تدل على ارتكاب المنفذ ضده أو غيره سلوكًا جرميًّا بإخفاء أموال المنفذ ضده أو تهريبها أو تبديدها أو تقديم بيانات أو معلومات مض
- Article 48
The competent court hears actions over enforcement offenses and imposes their penalties, except as in paragraph (1) of Article 57, while the investigating and prosecuting authority handles investigation and prosecution.
1- فيما عدا ما ورد في الفقرة (1) من المادة (السابعة والخمسين) من النظام، تتولى المحكمة المختصة النظر في الدعاوى الناشئة من تطبيق الأحكام الواردة في هذا الباب وإ
- Article 49
Enforcement offenses are detected by employees of the Ministry or public bodies whom the Minister designates by decision and who have judicial officer capacity, while the court may still refer matters directly for investigation.
1- دون إخلال بالأحكام النظامية ذات العلاقة، يتولى ضبط الجرائم -المنصوص عليها في هذا الباب- موظفون أو عاملون من: الوزارة، أو من أي من الجهات العامة الأخرى، الذين
- Article 50
Whoever conceals or smuggles property, deliberately obstructs or resists enforcement, or gives misleading information is punished by up to 3 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to SAR 1,000,000, or either; so is an accomplice.
1- يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (ثلاث) سنـوات وبغرامة لا تزيد على (مليون) ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين؛ كل من ارتكب أيًّا من الجرائم الآتية: أ- إخفاء الأموال،
- Article 51
A public employee or equivalent who prevents or obstructs enforcement is punished by imprisonment of not more than 5 years, and the act is an offense involving breach of trust.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (خمس) سنوات الموظف العام ومن في حكمه إذا منع التنفيذ أو أعاقه، ويُعد ذلك جريمة من الجرائم المخلة بالأمانة.
- Article 53
Imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or either, applies to a malicious enforcement applicant, someone who discloses data on the debtor's property, a breaching service provider and anyone manipulating sale prices.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على (ثلاث) سنوات، وبغرامة لا تزيد على (مائة ألف) ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين؛ كلٌّ من: 1- طالب التنفيذ إذا تقدم بطلب إجراء من إجراءا
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.