Article 37 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
المادة 37 من نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمصلحة العامة · الباب السادس: أحكام ختامية
The Law replaces the earlier Law on expropriation of real estate for the public benefit and temporary possession, issued by Royal Decree No. M/15 dated 11/3/1424 AH, and repeals any conflicting provisions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحل النظام محل نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمنفعة العامة ووضع اليد المؤقت على العقار الصادر بالمرسوم الملكي رقم (م / 15) وتاريخ 11 / 3 / 1424هـ، ويلغي كل ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
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 37 explained in plain English
This article sets out how the Law relates to the previous law:
- This Law replaces the Law on Expropriation of Real Estate for the Public Benefit and Temporary Possession of Real Estate, issued by Royal Decree No. M/15 dated 11/3/1424 AH.
- It repeals any provisions that conflict with it.
What this means in practice:
- The previous law is no longer the reference, since this Law has replaced it.
- Any provision in other laws or decisions that conflicts with the provisions of this Law is considered repealed.
Note that the name of the previous law used the phrase "public benefit," whereas this Law uses the phrase "public interest."
The article contains no transitional provisions stating what applies to procedures that began under the previous law and were not completed. It comes after Article 36, which preserves the right to object to decisions, and is followed by Article 38, which provides for preparing the Implementing Regulations and issuing them within 120 days of the Law's publication in the Official Gazette.
Anyone with expropriation procedures that began before this Law took effect and who wants to know which law governs them should consider consulting a lawyer who specializes in real estate matters.
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 37 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
Is the 1424 AH Law on Expropriation of Real Estate for the Public Benefit still in force?
No. It has been replaced by the Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law, which also repealed any provisions that conflict with it.
What is the Royal Decree number of the old law?
The previous law was issued by Royal Decree No. M/15 dated 11/3/1424 AH.
More articles on Expropriation Definitions and General Provisions
- Article 1
The Article defines the terms used in the Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law, such as the Authority, the project owner, the real estate, the project plan and the accredited valuer.
لأغراض تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام، يقصد بالكلمات والمصطلحات الآتية، المعاني الموضحة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتض السياق غير ذلك: 1- النظــــــام: نظام نزع ملكية العقارا
- Article 2
No real estate may be expropriated or temporarily occupied except for the public interest and in return for fair compensation, in accordance with the provisions of the Law and its Regulations.
لا يجوز نزع ملكية أي عقار أو وضع اليد المؤقت عليه إلا للمصلحة العامة، ومقابل تعويض عادل؛ وذلك وفقاً لأحكام النظام واللائحة.
- Article 3
The provisions of the Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law do not apply to real estate owned by the State or one of its bodies.
لا تسري أحكام النظام على العقارات المملوكة للدولة أو لأحد أجهزتها.
- Article 4
Expropriation or temporary occupation procedures are taken only if no State properties suffice for the purpose.
لا تُتخذ إجراءات نزع ملكية العقار أو وضع اليد المؤقت عليه إلا في حال عدم وجود عقارات للدولة تفي بالغرض.
- Article 38
The Authority prepares the Implementing Regulations in coordination with the Ministry of Investment and the Spending Efficiency Authority; the Board approves them and the Council of Ministers issues them within 120 days of the Law's publication.
تُعد الهيئة -بالتنسيق مع وزارة الاستثمار وهيئة كفاءة الإنفاق والمشروعات الحكومية- اللائحة، وتعتمد من المجلس، وتصدر بقرار من مجلس الوزراء خلال (مائة وعشرين) يوما
- Article 39
The Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law takes effect 120 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
يعمل بالنظام بعد (مائة وعشرين) يوماً من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
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.

