Article 51 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 51 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الثاني: العقوبات
The article requires the final penalty decision to be noted in the table, allows a person whose license was cancelled to apply after 5 years from the decision to be re-entered and licensed, and refers the procedures to the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يؤشر في الجدول بالقرار النهائي الصادر بالعقوبة، ولمن ألغيت رخصته بعد مضي خمس سنوات من تاريخ صدور القرار طلب إعادة قيد اسمه في الجدول، والترخيص له، وتحدد اللائحة الإجراءات الواجب اتخاذها لإعادة القيد.
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 51 explained in plain English
This article deals with the effect of a penalty on the licensee's registration and the possibility of returning after a license is cancelled.
First: noting in the table. Under Article 1, the table is the register of licensees, that is, licensed notaries and marriage officiants. The final decision imposing the penalty is noted in it. The text speaks of the final decision, so a decision that has not become final is not noted here.
Second: applying for re-entry. A person whose license was cancelled may:
- after 5 years from the date of the decision,
- apply to have his name re-entered in the table and to be licensed.
The article gives him the right to submit the application; it does not state that the application is accepted automatically.
Third: procedures. The Implementing Regulations set the procedures to be followed for re-entry; the article does not state them.
Link to Article 50: Article 50 sets the licensee's penalties: a warning, a fine not exceeding SAR 500,000, suspension of the license for no more than 3 years, and cancellation of the license. Article 51 deals with what follows, especially cancellation. It is also linked to Article 52, which punishes anyone who practices the licensee's work without a license with imprisonment for no more than one year or a fine of no more than SAR 100,000, or both; a person whose license was cancelled therefore does not practice notarization before being licensed again.
Anyone whose license was cancelled and who wants to return may consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative matters.
Practical example
A final decision was issued cancelling the license of a marriage officiant, and it was noted in the table of licensees. After 5 years from the date of the decision, he may apply to have his name re-entered in the table and to be licensed, under the procedures set by the Regulations.
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 51 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Can a notary's license be restored after cancellation?
A person whose license was cancelled may apply to have his name re-entered in the table and to be licensed after 5 years from the date of the decision, under Article 51.
What is noted in the table of licensed notaries about penalties?
The final decision imposing the penalty is noted in the table.
Where do I find the procedures for re-entry?
The article refers the setting of the procedures to be followed for re-entry to the Implementing Regulations.
More articles on Penalties for Notarization Violations
- Article 26
The article prohibits practicing notarization work except after obtaining the license in accordance with the provisions of the Notarization Law and its Implementing Regulations.
يحظر ممارسة أعمال التوثيق إلا بعد الحصول على الرخصة وفقاً لأحكام النظام واللائحة.
- Article 48
The article provides for the Minister to form one or more committees to consider the results of investigations into violations by the notary and the licensee and impose the penalties in Articles 49 and 50, sets their composition and procedure, and allows appeal to the Board of Grievances.
يشكل الوزير لجنة -أو أكثر- للنظر في نتائج التحقيق في مخالفات كاتب العدل -ذات العلاقة بالتوثيق- والمرخص له، وتوقيع العقوبات المنصوص عليها في المادتين (التاسعة وا
- Article 49
The article sets the disciplinary penalties that may be imposed on the notary: a reprimand, a salary deduction not exceeding the net salary of 3 months, deprivation of one periodic increment, and dismissal.
العقوبات التأديبية التي يجوز توقيعها على كاتب العدل هي: 1- اللوم. 2- الحسم من الراتب بما لا يتجاوز صافي راتب ثلاثة أشهر. 3- الحرمان من علاوة دورية واحدة. 4- الف
- Article 50
The article sets the penalties for the licensee, a licensed notary or marriage officiant: a warning, a fine not exceeding SAR 500,000, suspension of the license for no more than 3 years, and cancellation of the license, without prejudice to any more severe penalty.
مع عدم الإخلال بأي عقوبة أشد منصوص عليها في نظام آخر، يعاقب المرخص له بعقوبة أو أكثر من العقوبات الآتية: 1- الإنذار. 2- غرامة لا تزيد على خمسمائة ألف ريال. 3- إ
- Article 52
The article punishes anyone who impersonates the name or capacity of a licensee, or practices the licensee's work without a license, with imprisonment up to one year or a fine up to SAR 100,000, or both, with the judgment's summary possibly published.
مع عدم الإخلال بأي عقوبة أشد منصوص عليها في نظام آخر، تعاقب المحكمة المختصة من ينتحل اسم المرخص له أو صفته، أو يمارس عمله دون رخصة، بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على سنة،
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.