Overdue receivables from a client, company or partner, inside Saudi Arabia or abroad? Usus Law Firm handles debt collection for companies and individuals through the legal route: we read your documents, choose the shortest route for your debt, and follow it from the demand letter until the money reaches you. We work from our Riyadh and Tabuk offices, and enforcement requests are filed and followed electronically across the Kingdom.
Quick answer
Usus Law Firm collects debts for companies and individuals through the legal route: demand, notarised settlement, payment order or Commercial Court lawsuit, then enforcement. For cross-border debts: enforcement against the debtor’s assets in Saudi Arabia, and enforcement of foreign judgments under Article 9 of the Enforcement Law.
- Cheques, registered promissory notes, judgments and notarised agreements are enforced directly.
- Phone and WhatsApp: +966 53 034 9349.
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The shortest route for your debt
| What you hold | Route |
|---|---|
| A cheque, or a promissory note or bill registered on the national electronic platforms | Direct enforcement at the Enforcement Court without a lawsuit (Enforcement Law, Art. 7) |
| A final judgment, an arbitral award, a notarised settlement, contract or acknowledgment | Direct enforcement |
| An ordinary contract, invoices, transfers and correspondence between companies | A payment order if the debt is in writing and fixed, or a lawsuit at the Commercial Court |
| A debt between individuals without an official document | A lawsuit before the competent court |
An enforcement request is not accepted on an instrument more than ten years past its due date (Enforcement Law, Art. 11).
Our collection steps
- File review: contract, invoices, statements and correspondence.
- Demand: in commercial cases the debtor must normally be notified in writing at least 15 days before filing (Commercial Courts Law, Art. 19), and at least 5 days before a payment order application (Art. 68).
- Settlement: a written, notarised payment schedule that becomes enforceable if the debtor defaults.
- Payment order or lawsuit before the Commercial Court or competent court.
- Enforcement through Najiz until collection.
What happens to a debtor who does not pay
Under the new Enforcement Law (1447H), if the debtor does not pay within five working days of notice, compulsory measures start against their assets: credit bureaus are notified, assets and future income are attached, and the court may impose a fine of up to SAR 5,000 a day (Art. 18). A travel ban can follow on your request (Art. 19). Hiding or smuggling assets is a crime punishable by up to three years’ prison and a fine of up to SAR 1 million (Art. 50).
Cross-border debts
| Situation | Route |
|---|---|
| Debtor abroad with assets in Saudi Arabia | Enforce against the assets in the Kingdom. A payment order is not accepted against a debtor residing abroad (Commercial Courts Regulation, Art. 184), so a lawsuit is used |
| A foreign judgment against a debtor in Saudi Arabia | Enforced on the basis of reciprocity and the conditions of Art. 9: not a matter reserved to Saudi courts, no earlier similar case in the Kingdom, the parties were summoned and able to defend, the judgment is final, no conflict with an earlier Saudi judgment, and no conflict with public order |
| A foreign arbitral award or settlement | Enforced under the Kingdom’s treaty obligations and the same conditions |
| A Saudi creditor whose debtor’s assets are all abroad | The Saudi judgment is enforced there under that country’s law and treaties with the Kingdom; we prepare the judgment and file and advise on the route first |
Frequently asked questions
Can a debt be collected from a debtor outside Saudi Arabia?
Yes, against their assets in the Kingdom. If all assets are abroad, the judgment is enforced there under that country’s law and applicable treaties.
Are foreign judgments enforced in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, on the basis of reciprocity and the conditions of Article 9 of the Enforcement Law, including finality and the right of defence.
What happens if the debtor ignores the enforcement order?
After five working days, assets are attached and credit bureaus notified; a daily fine and a travel ban may follow.
See our enforcement service and commercial lawyer in Riyadh. Riyadh office: +966 53 034 9349.