Article 34 of the Saudi Minors' Property Guardianship Law
المادة 34 من نظام الولاية على أموال القاصرين
The article punishes anyone who breaches the provisions of the Minors' Property Guardianship Law with a fine not exceeding SAR 100,000 and imprisonment for a period not exceeding 30 days, or either.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع عدم الإخلال بما تقضي به أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية والأنظمة المرعية يعاقب كل من يخالف أحكام هذا النظام بغرامة مالية لا تزيد على مائة ألف ريال وبالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز ثلاثين يوما أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين.
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 34 explained in plain English
This article sets the general penalty for breaching the provisions of the Minors' Property Guardianship Law.
The penalty:
- A fine not exceeding SAR 100,000.
- And imprisonment for a period not exceeding 30 days.
- Or either of these penalties; the two may be combined or one may suffice.
The provision sets no minimum for the fine or imprisonment, only the maximum for each.
Who is punished? Anyone who breaches the provisions of this Law; the wording is general and covers any breach of its provisions, without the article confining it to particular breaches.
An important qualification: the penalty applies without prejudice to what the provisions of Islamic Sharia and the applicable laws require; that is, it does not prevent the application of what Sharia or other laws provide for the same act.
Among the provisions to which this penalty may relate is what Article 33 provides: the prohibition on board members and the Authority's staff disclosing its secrets and on their buying or leasing the covered persons' funds, with any dealing in breach void.
Article 35 provides that the courts are the ones that decide these penalties and may impose heavier penalties if they see fit, and that the Authority undertakes the role of prosecution.
Anyone accused of a breach of this Law is best advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases and guardianship of funds.
Practical example
An employee of the Authority indirectly leased an apartment owned by minors that the Authority manages. In addition to the lease contract being void, he exposes himself to the penalty in this article: a fine not exceeding SAR 100,000 and imprisonment for a period not exceeding 30 days, or either.
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 34 of the Saudi Minors' Property Guardianship Law
What is the penalty for breaching the Minors' Property Guardianship Law?
A fine not exceeding SAR 100,000 and imprisonment for a period not exceeding 30 days, or either of these penalties.
Can the fine and imprisonment be combined?
Yes. The provision allows combining them or imposing only one.
Does this penalty prevent other penalties from applying?
No. It applies without prejudice to what the provisions of Islamic Sharia and the applicable laws require.
More articles on Penalties for Violating the Guardianship Law
- Article 33
The article bars the Authority's board members, staff and representatives from disclosing its secrets, or buying, leasing or contracting for the covered persons' funds in a personal capacity, and voids any dealing in breach.
لا يجوز لأعضاء مجلس إدارة الهيئة ومنسوبيها ومن يمثلها أن يفشوا شيئا مما وقفوا عليه من أسرار الهيئة بسبب مباشرتهم لأعمالها ولا أن يشتروا أو يستأجروا مالا من أموا
- Article 35
The article makes imposing the penalties in Article 34 a matter for the courts, allows them to impose heavier penalties, and assigns the role of prosecution to the Authority.
تختص المحاكم بتقرير العقوبات المنصوص عليها في المادة (الرابعة والثلاثين) من هذا النظام ولها إيقاع عقوبات أشد إذا رأت ذلك وتتولى الهيئة مهمة الادعاء في هذا الشأن
- Article 36
The article allows those concerned to object to the Authority's decisions and its actions toward them before the competent body, in accordance with the Sharia rules and applicable laws.
يجوز لذوي الشأن الاعتراض على القرارات الصادرة من الهيئة أو ما تتخذه من تصرفات حيالهم وذلك إلى الجهة المختصة حسب القواعد الشرعية والأنظمة المرعية.
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.