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2022-03-24

The Procedures for Enforcing Judicial Decisions Issued Against Customers of Payment Service Companies

The Saudi Central System (SAMA) issued this circular to payment service companies, mandating the enforcement of judicial stop-orders against customers by suspending e-wallets, verifying registered identification and commercial data, and applying statutory deduction exemptions of 67% for salaries and 75% for pensions. The directive requires companies to promptly share confidential customer information upon verified requests, cancel transaction bans when lifted, and maintain adequate technological resources to execute court decisions during official working hours. Compliance ensures that payment service providers properly balance customer asset protection with regulatory transparency and operational efficiency.

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1 Abdulaziz T. Alotaibi From: Payment Policy Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2022 3:58 PM Cc: Payment Policy; Aiman I. Binkhamees; Dr. Yazeed Aleissa Subject: Circular - Procedures for Enforcing Judicial Decisions Issued Against Customers of Payment Service Companies

Gentlemen / To Whom It May Concern, Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you,

In exercise of the powers granted to the Saudi Central System (SAMA) for the supervision and oversight of financial institutions under the SAMA System issued by Royal Decree No. (M36/) dated 1442/4/11 AH, and Articles No. (21) and No. (46) of the Execution System issued by Royal Decree No. (M53/) dated 1443/08/13 AH, and other related systems.

The Saudi Central System confirms that payment service companies must enforce judicial decisions issued against customers, and served to them through the banks they deal with on behalf of the company. The Saudi Central System further confirms the following instructions:

  1. The company is obligated, upon receiving a stop-order, to suspend the customer's e-wallet and prevent them from managing it or conducting credit transactions on it, and to prevent the customer from establishing any new relationships.
  2. Stop-orders apply when the customer is a natural or legal resident, or an institution/company.
  3. If the customer is a guardian, agent, or trustee, the stop-order applies only to the customer's funds and personal capacity without exception, and does not extend to funds managed by the customer under their name but held in trust.
  4. The company is obligated to verify that the type and number of the customer's ID, or their data or commercial registration, against whom the judicial order was issued, match the data registered with the company.
  5. The company is obligated to enable customers to access exempted amounts from deductions, (exemption from salary-related deductions and similar allowances/benefits is 67% of the total salary, and 75% of the total pension).
  6. The company is obligated to provide data and information promptly, without disclosing, publishing, or allowing inspection of such data/information by any person for any reason, except when the inquirer is the customer themselves or their legal representative after identity verification.
  7. The company is obligated to cancel all stop-order measures upon receiving a request to lift the transaction ban.

Furthermore, the Saudi Central System confirms that payment service companies must take adequate measures and means to implement the above, and provide necessary resources and technology to enforce judicial decisions during official working hours.

For your information and action as of its date. Yours sincerely, W.SAMA.GOV.SA

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