You won an administrative case before the Board of Grievances against a government body, and the judgment has not been carried out? This is where administrative enforcement comes in: the legal route to oblige an administrative body to carry out judgments of the administrative courts. It differs from the Enforcement Court, which enforces deeds and judgments between individuals and companies.
Administrative enforcement vs the Enforcement Court
| Administrative enforcement (Board of Grievances) | Enforcement Court | |
|---|---|---|
| What is enforced? | Judgments of the administrative courts | Judgments and enforcement deeds between individuals and companies (cheques, promissory notes, notarised leases...) |
| Against whom? | Usually an administrative or government body | Individual or corporate debtors |
| Where to apply? | The Board of Grievances electronic platform | Najiz |
Jurisdiction and procedure are set by the law and the Board's updated regulations; check the latest official text. Read the Enforcement Law for ordinary enforcement.
When do you need administrative enforcement?
- A judgment cancelling an administrative decision (dismissal, licence withdrawal, refusal) and the body has not restored the position.
- A judgment for compensation or dues against a government body that has not been paid.
- A judgment on an administrative contract (works or supply with a government body) the body has not honoured.
Steps to request administrative enforcement
- Make sure the judgment is final or enforceable under the law.
- Gather the documents: the judgment and proof that it is final, details of the body, and any earlier request you made for enforcement.
- Apply electronically on the Board of Grievances platform, stating precisely what you want (reinstatement, payment, cancelling the effect of a decision).
- Follow up: the body is instructed to comply within the set period; if it refuses, the measures provided by law are taken.
What usually delays enforcement?
- An operative part that is not precise (an amount not calculated, or a general obligation).
- A request that does not match the judgment.
- The competent body changing after restructuring.
That is why claims in an administrative case should be drafted in an enforceable form from the start; read grievances and administrative cases before the Board of Grievances.
Frequently asked questions
Can a government body's funds be seized like an individual's?
Ordinary seizure procedures between individuals do not apply to public bodies, which is why administrative enforcement has its own procedure.
How long does it take?
It depends on the judgment and the body's response. Payment judgments may depend on budget procedures; cancellations are usually faster.
Your administrative judgment has not been enforced?
The Usus Law Firm team handles administrative cases before the Board of Grievances from grievance to enforcement, and enforcement and service suspension, in Riyadh and Tabuk.
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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