Article 7 of the Saudi Municipal Penalties Regulations
المادة 7 من لائحة الجزاءات عن المخالفات البلدية
Article 7 provides that municipal penalties do not affect the injured party's right to bring a private action for the harm, and that the violator may file a grievance against the penalty as established by law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تخل الجزاءات الواردة في اللائحة بحق المتضرر من المخالفة في رفع الدعوى الخاصة عما أصابه من ضرر. وللمخالف أيضاً حق التظلم من تطبيق الجزاء عليه وفقاً لما هو مقرر نظاماً.
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 7 explained in plain English
Article 7 preserves two rights for two different parties:
1) The right of the person harmed by the violation:
- The penalties in the Regulations do not affect the right of anyone harmed by the violation to bring a private action for the harm he suffered.
- A fine or closure is a public penalty imposed by the administrative authority, and it does not replace the injured person's right to claim compensation for what he suffered.
2) The violator's right:
- The violator has the right to file a grievance against the application of the penalty to him.
- This is as established by law; the Article does not specify the period for the grievance or the body to which it is submitted, but refers to the established laws.
The Article is linked to Article 6, which requires, for publishing the penalty decision in a repeat case, that the decision be final by the lapse of the period set by law or that the judgment issued on it have become conclusive; the right of grievance is connected to that. It is followed by Article 8, which regulates the impounding of abandoned vehicles and stray livestock.
Anyone on whom a municipal penalty has been imposed and who wishes to file a grievance against it may consult a specialized lawyer in administrative matters (the Board of Grievances) to learn the period and procedures established by law. Anyone harmed by another's violation who wants to claim compensation may consult a specialized lawyer in civil and compensation matters.
Practical example
Saad's neighbor set up a violating workshop that caused cracks in the wall of his house, and the municipality fined the workshop owner. This fine does not prevent Saad from bringing a private action claiming compensation for the harm, and the workshop owner is entitled to file a grievance against the fine as established by law.
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 7 of the Saudi Municipal Penalties Regulations
Can a municipal fine be challenged?
Yes. The violator has the right to file a grievance against the application of the penalty to him as established by law, and the Article itself does not specify the period for the grievance or the body to which it is submitted.
Can I claim compensation if I was harmed by someone else's municipal violation?
Yes. The penalties do not affect the injured party's right to bring a private action for the harm he suffered.
Does the violator's payment of the fine remove my right to compensation?
No. The Article provides that the penalties do not affect the injured party's right to bring a private action.
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.