Article 43 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 43 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الرابع: حجية الوثائق وحمايتها
The article bars noting a suspension or restraint on a notarization record, or lifting either, except by an order of the competent court or an authority competent under a statutory provision.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يؤشر على وعاء التوثيق بالإيقاف أو التحفظ عليه أو رفعهما إلا بأمر من المحكمة المختصة، أو سلطة مختصة بذلك بموجب نص نظامي.
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 43 explained in plain English
This article protects the notarization record, which under Article 1 is the form or minute designated for notarization and includes the signatures of the parties concerned, from being restricted or released without a valid basis.
The article covers four actions:
- Noting a suspension on the record.
- Noting a restraint on it.
- Lifting the suspension.
- Lifting the restraint.
None of these may be done except on one of two bases:
- An order of the competent court.
- An order of an authority competent to do so under a statutory provision, that is, a body given express authority in a law.
In practice, a party's mere request or objection is not enough to suspend or restrain a document, and lifting the suspension or restraint likewise needs an order from one of these two bodies. This gives stability to notarized documents, to which Article 41 gave evidentiary force.
The article is linked to Article 42, which allows anyone with an interest, even a potential one, to bring a claim against the holder of the document or its beneficiary before the competent court. It is also linked to Article 44, which deals with the loss or damage of a notarization record.
Anyone who wants to suspend a document that they believe affects their right, or to lift a suspension, is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in real estate or civil matters, depending on the type of document.
Practical example
Mohammed learned that a relative holds a notarized document relating to a property in which Mohammed believes he has a right, and asked the notary to suspend it. The notary cannot note a suspension on the notarization record at Mohammed's request alone; an order from the competent court or from an authority competent to do so under a statutory provision is required.
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 43 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Can the notary suspend a deed at one party's request?
No. Under Article 43, a suspension or restraint may be noted on the notarization record only by an order of the competent court or an authority competent under a statutory provision.
How is a suspension lifted from a notarized document?
Lifting a suspension or restraint is subject to the same rule, so it can be done only by an order of the competent court or an authority competent under a statutory provision.
Which bodies may order a document suspended?
The competent court, or an authority competent to do so under a statutory provision.
More articles on Evidentiary Weight of Documents and Challenging Them
- Article 41
The article gives documents issued under the Notarization Law evidentiary force and the status of an enforceable instrument, and provides they may be annulled only by a court judgment for conflict with Sharia or statutory principles or for forgery, after a fully completed hearing.
الوثائق الصادرة وفق أحكام النظام لها قوة الإثبات، وتعد سنداً تنفيذيًا فيما تضمنته من التزام، ويجب العمل بمضمونها أمام المحاكم بلا بينة إضافية ولا يجوز الطعن فيه
- Article 42
The article allows anyone with an interest, even a potential one, whether a natural or legal person, public or private, to bring a claim against the holder of a document issued under the Law or its beneficiary before the competent court.
يجوز لمن له مصلحة ولو محتملة من الأشخاص ذوي الصفة الطبيعية أو الاعتبارية -العامة والخاصة- أن يخاصم من بيده وثيقة صادرة وفق أحكام النظام أو من يستفيد منها أمام ا
- Article 44
When the minute of a deed issued by a notary before the Law, or a notarization record, is lost or damaged so its content cannot be known, the minute is re-drawn after the parties' confirmation if the deed matches its basis; otherwise it goes to the competent department.
إذا فقد ضبط صك صادر من كاتب عدل قبل صدور النظام، أو فقد وعاء توثيق، أو تلف أي منهما تلفاً لا يعرف معه مضمونه، فيعاد ضبطه بعد أخذ تصديق ذوي الشأن، متى طابق الصك
- Article 45
The article provides for re-registering a deed issued by a notary before the Law if its register is lost or damaged so its content cannot be known, when the deed matches its basis; otherwise it goes to the competent department.
إذا فقد سجل صك صادر من كاتب عدل قبل صدور النظام، أو تلف تلفاً لا يعرف معه مضمونه، فيعاد تسجيله، متى طابق الصك أساسه المستند إليه، وإلا فيعرض على الإدارة المختصة
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.