Law of Eminent Domain and Temporary Taking of Real Property

Purpose and scope

• No property may be expropriated or temporarily occupied except for the public interest and against fair compensation (Article 2); state property is excluded (Article 3), and the law replaced the 1424H expropriation law (Article 37).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• Expropriation compensation is the market value plus a 20% premium on it and compensation for harm caused by the procedure; compensation for temporary occupation is at least the fair rent (Article 6).
• The project body submits a request with the plan, the estimated cost and proof of funding, and a committee checks the public interest, funding and that no state property would serve (Articles 7 and 8).
• Compensation is paid in cash or in kind before the vacation date save in exceptional cases; if it is not paid within three years of the start decision, the owner may ask for revaluation and the higher valuation applies (Article 23).
• If the property is vacated before compensation is paid, the owner receives the fair rent for the period plus 10% (Article 24).
• Temporary occupation may not exceed three years (Article 28); the owner may still sell the property, and the buyer takes over the seller's rights and obligations (Article 31).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• Common problems: disputes over market value, delayed compensation, and vacating before payment is complete.
• A person other than the owner harmed by the procedure may claim compensation (Article 30).

Procedures and key deadlines

• If the property is no longer needed after the owner was notified of the start decision, the owner is told and may ask to recover it within one year on repaying the compensation (Article 32).
• A person affected by a decision on their property may object to it through the regular procedures (Article 36).

An advisory summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm. It is not an official text and does not replace the law, its implementing regulations, or advice from a specialised lawyer. The official published text and its amendments prevail.