Article 39 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
المادة 39 من نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمصلحة العامة · الباب السادس: أحكام ختامية
The Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law takes effect 120 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعمل بالنظام بعد (مائة وعشرين) يوماً من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
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 39 explained in plain English
This article sets the date the Law takes effect: it is applied 120 days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
What this means:
- The Law does not apply as soon as it is published, but only after this period has passed.
- The period is counted from the date of publication in the Official Gazette, not from the date the Royal Decree was issued.
- During this period, preparations are made to apply the Law, including issuing the Implementing Regulations, which Article 38 also requires to be issued within 120 days of the Law's publication.
The article does not state the actual date of the Law's publication, nor what applies to procedures that began before it took effect. Anyone who wants to know exactly when the Law starts to apply should check its publication date in the Official Gazette and add 120 days to it.
Anyone who needs to know which law applies to procedures that began around the date it took effect 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.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 39 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
When does the Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law take effect?
120 days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Is the Law applied as soon as it is published?
No. It takes effect only after 120 days have passed from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
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 37
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.
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
- 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
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.