Article 54 bis of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 54 مكرر من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: الرواتب
The Article regulates attachment of an officer's salary: by order of the Prime Minister for government debts or by court judgment for others, up to one third of net monthly salary, with maintenance debt taking priority without that limit.
Text of the added article (Arabic)
This article was added to the law by Royal Decree No. M/30 dated 1/6/1425 AH.
يحجز على راتب الضابط بأمر من رئيس مجلس الوزراء إن كان متعلقاً بديون الحكومة، أو بحكم قضائي إن كان متعلقاً بغير ديون الحكومة، على ألا يتجاوز المقدار المحجوز ثلث صافي الراتب الشهري، وفي جميع الأحوال يقدم دين النفقة على غيره من الديون دون التقيد بهذه النسبة
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 54 bis explained in plain English
This Article sets controls on attaching an officer's salary. It was added by Royal Decree No. M/30 dated 1/6/1425 AH. Its provisions:
Instrument of attachment according to the type of debt:
- Government debts: by order of the Prime Minister.
- Other debts: by court judgment.
Maximum limit: the amount attached must not exceed one third of the net monthly salary.
The exception: in all cases maintenance debt takes priority over other debts, without being bound by the one-third limit.
In practice, an ordinary creditor cannot attach an officer's salary merely by claiming; a court judgment is required, and the attachment remains within one third of the net salary. The government may attach for its debts by order of the Prime Minister, also within one third.
Maintenance debt, such as maintenance for a wife and children, has a special status: it takes priority over all other debts and is not limited by the one-third ratio. "Net" means what remains of the salary after deductions.
An officer facing an attachment of his salary that he believes exceeds these limits may consider consulting a lawyer specializing in enforcement or administrative cases.
Practical example
A court judgment is issued in favor of a bank against Captain Saad for a defaulted financing amount, and at the same time a judgment is issued for maintenance for his children. The attachment in the bank's favor may not exceed one third of his net monthly salary, whereas maintenance takes priority over the bank's debt and is not bound by the one-third ratio.
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 54 bis of the Saudi Officers Service Law
What is the maximum attachment on an officer's salary?
The amount attached must not exceed one third of the net monthly salary, except for maintenance debt.
Can an officer's salary be attached for a personal debt?
Yes, by court judgment, and within one third of the net monthly salary.
Is maintenance debt bound by the one-third limit?
No. In all cases, maintenance debt takes priority over other debts without being bound by this ratio.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/30 — 1/6/1425 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- إضافة مادة تحمل الرقم (54 مكرراً)، وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/30) وتاريخ 1425/6/1هـ، وذلك بالنص الآتي: "يحجز على راتب الضابط بأمر من رئيس مجلس الوزراء إن كان متعلقاً بديون الحكومة، أو بحكم قضائي إن كان متعلقاً بغير ديون الحكومة، على ألا يتجاوز المقدار المحجوز ثلث صافي الراتب الشهري، وفي جميع الأحوال يقدم دين النفقة على غيره من الديون دون التقيد بهذه النسبة".
More articles on Officer Salaries and Attachment
- Article 52
The Article defines an officer's basic salary as the salary set for the rank in the salary scale including periodic increments, defines allowances, and limits retirement deductions and pension calculation to the basic salary.
أ- راتب الضابط الأساسي هو الراتب المقرر للرتبة بموجب جدول الرواتب والعلاوات المرفق بهذا النظَام بما في ذلك العلاوات الدورية ، أما المخصصات فتشمل البدلات والعلاو
- Article 53
The Article provides that an officer is entitled to his actual salary from the date of his appointment.
يستحق الضابط الراتب الفعلي من تاريخ تعيينه.
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.