Article 35 of the Saudi Minors' Property Guardianship Law
المادة 35 من نظام الولاية على أموال القاصرين
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 35 explained in plain English
This article completes Article 34, which punishes anyone who breaches the provisions of the Law with a fine not exceeding SAR 100,000 and imprisonment for a period not exceeding 30 days, or either, by showing who imposes the penalty and who requests it.
Three provisions:
- Jurisdiction lies with the courts: the courts are the ones that decide the penalties provided for in Article 34; the Authority does not impose them itself.
- Heavier penalties are permitted: the courts may impose heavier penalties if they see fit. The limits in Article 34 are not an absolute ceiling on the court, and the provision does not specify how much heavier.
- Prosecution lies with the Authority: the Authority undertakes the role of prosecution in this matter, that is, it is the body that brings the case and requests the penalty before the court.
This means that someone who breaches the provisions of the Law may be sued by the Authority before the court, and the court decides the penalty and may make it heavier.
After it comes Article 36, which sets a corresponding right for those concerned: to object, before the competent body, to the decisions issued by the Authority or the actions it takes toward them.
Anyone against whom the Authority has brought a case of this kind is best advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases and guardianship of funds.
Practical example
The Authority found that a person had breached the provisions of the Law regarding orphans' funds in Riyadh. The Authority does not impose the penalty itself; it undertakes the prosecution before the court, and the court decides the penalty provided for in Article 34 and may impose a heavier one if it sees fit.
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 35 of the Saudi Minors' Property Guardianship Law
Who imposes the penalties under the Minors' Property Guardianship Law?
The courts have jurisdiction to decide the penalties provided for in Article 34.
Can the penalty be heavier than the one provided?
Yes. The courts may impose heavier penalties if they see fit.
Who brings the case for these breaches?
The Authority undertakes the role of prosecution.
Articles this article refers to
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 34
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.
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 تتج
- 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.