Article 18 of the Saudi Trade Names Law
المادة 18 من نظام الأسماء التجارية · الفصل الرابع: المخالفات
The article gives anyone against whom a decision is issued under the law the right to challenge it before the competent court within 30 days from the date of notification.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحق لمن صدر ضده أي قرار بناءً على أحكام النظام التظلم منه أمام المحكمة المختصة خلال (ثلاثين) يومًا من تاريخ التبليغ به وفقًا لما تحدده اللائحة.
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 18 explained in plain English
This article guarantees the right of judicial challenge against decisions issued under the Trade Names Law:
- Who may challenge: Anyone against whom any decision is issued under the provisions of the law. The wording is general, so it includes, for example, fine decisions or alternative measures.
- Where the challenge is filed: Before the competent court.
- Period: Within 30 days from the date of notification of the decision, as the Implementing Regulations specify.
The period runs from the date of notification of the decision, not from the date it was issued, so it is important to know the notification date precisely.
This article is linked to Article 17, which allows the committee, once a violation is established, to warn the merchant or require preventive or corrective steps in addition to the penalty or instead of it; these decisions can be challenged.
If a decision has been issued against you and you want to challenge it, consult a lawyer specialized in commercial or administrative cases to prepare the challenge and file it within the period.
Practical example
A decision is issued fining a business in Jazan for not displaying its trade name, and the owner is notified of it. The owner believes the name was displayed, so he may challenge the decision before the competent court within 30 days from the date of notification.
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 18 of the Saudi Trade Names Law
How do I challenge a Trade Names Law fine?
Anyone against whom a decision is issued under the provisions of the law may challenge it before the competent court, as the Implementing Regulations specify.
How long do I have to challenge a trade name violation decision?
30 days from the date of notification of the decision.
More articles on Trade Name Violations and Penalties
- Article 8
The article requires the merchant to display his trade name on the front of his place of business according to its nature, and to put it on all his documents, correspondence and printed materials.
يجب على التاجر أن يعرض اسمه التجاري على واجهة مكان مزاولة أعماله التجارية بحسب طبيعتها، وأن يضعه في جميع وثائقه ومراسلاته ومطبوعاته.
- Article 14
The article punishes violations of the Trade Names Law with a fine of up to SAR 50,000, which may be doubled for repetition within three years, taking account of the seriousness of the violation and the size of the business.
1- دون إخلال بأي عقوبة ينص عليها نظام آخر، يعاقب بغرامة لا تزيد على (خمسين) ألف ريال كل من: أ- استعمل اسماً تجاريّاً محجوزاً أو مقيداً له بما يخالف أحكام النظام
- Article 15
The article assigns enforcement of the law's violations to employees named by the Minister who hold law-enforcement status, and lets the Minister issue rules for their work and for rewards for detecting violations.
1- يتولى ضبط ما يقع من مخالفات لأحكام النظام موظفون يصدر بتسميتهم قرار من الوزير، وتكون لهم صفة الضبط. 2- يصدر الوزير قواعد تنظم عمل ومهمات الموظفين المشار إليه
- Article 16
The article provides for one or more committees formed by Ministerial decision to consider violations and impose penalties, and lets the Minister specify violations for which the penalty may be imposed directly.
تكوّن بقرار من الوزير لجنة (أو أكثر) من أعضاء لا يقل عددهم عن (ثلاثة)، ويرأسها ذو تأهيل نظامي، وتختص بالنظر في المخالفات وإيقاع العقوبة المنصوص عليها في المادة
- Article 17
The article allows the committee, once a merchant's violation is established, to warn the merchant or require preventive or corrective steps, in addition to the penalty or instead of it.
إذا ثبت أن التاجر قد ارتكب أيًّا من المخالفات الواردة في المادة (الرابعة عشرة) من النظام، فيحق للجنة أن تتخذ -بالإضافة إلى العقوبة المقررة أو بدلًا منها- أيًّا
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.