Article 4 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
المادة 4 من نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمصلحة العامة · الباب الأول: تعريفات وأحكام عامة
Expropriation or temporary occupation procedures are taken only if no State properties suffice for the purpose.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تُتخذ إجراءات نزع ملكية العقار أو وضع اليد المؤقت عليه إلا في حال عدم وجود عقارات للدولة تفي بالغرض.
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 4 explained in plain English
This Article sets a prior condition before any procedure begins: expropriation or temporary occupation procedures may be taken only where there are no State properties that suffice for the purpose.
This means that expropriating the properties of individuals and non-government bodies is a fallback measure, resorted to only after making sure State properties do not meet the project's need.
The following is understood from the Article:
- The condition covers both forms: expropriation and temporary occupation.
- What counts is that State properties suffice for the purpose; that is, the existence of a government property is not enough alone if it is not suitable for the project's need.
This Article is consistent with Article 3, which excludes State properties from the Law's provisions, and with Article 5, which defines the public interest that justifies expropriation. The Article did not specify which body verifies this condition or how.
Anyone who believes this condition was not observed regarding his property may consult a lawyer specializing in real estate cases to learn what he can do.
Practical example
A government body plans to build a public park in Jeddah, and had two options: vacant land owned by the State that suffices for the purpose, or land owned by a citizen. Under this Article, expropriation procedures may not begin on the citizen's land as long as the State's land suffices for the purpose.
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 4 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
Can my land be expropriated if there is government land nearby?
Expropriation procedures are taken only if no State properties suffice for the purpose; what counts is that the State land is suitable for the project's need, not merely that it exists.
Does this condition cover temporary occupation?
Yes. The Article states the condition for expropriation procedures and temporary occupation procedures together.
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 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
- 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.