2021-02-04

Instruction Not to Seize Alimony Payments Made by the Alimony Fund

The Saudi Central Bank instructs all domestic banks and financial institutions to refrain from seizing or executing against funds deposited by the Alimony Fund into beneficiaries' accounts, as these amounts legally belong to the family rather than the debtor. The directive stems from a Ministry of Justice letter clarifying that the Fund disburses these family assets during litigation until recovery from the obligor. Banks will receive an email notification containing a SARI system identifier code to accurately distinguish these protected transfers from other transactions.

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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Central Bank

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Saudi Central Bank

Reference No.:42042799
Date:1442/06/22
Attachments:None

Circular

To: Respected Institutions,

Greetings,

Subject: Non-seizure of amounts deposited by the Alimony Fund for beneficiaries.

Please be informed that the Saudi Central Bank has received a letter from the Ministry of Justice regarding the exemption of amounts deposited by the Alimony Fund into beneficiaries' bank accounts. These funds, which are disbursed to beneficiaries upon court order, inherently belong to the family and do not constitute part of the debtor's assets. The Fund is responsible for disbursing them during the litigation period until they are recovered from the obligor.

Accordingly, the Saudi Central Bank instructs all banks and financial institutions operating in the Kingdom to refrain from seizing or executing against any amounts deposited by the Alimony Fund for beneficiaries. Please note that you will be provided via email with the specific identifier code used by the SARI system to identify these transfers and distinguish them from other transactions.

For information and necessary action, effective as of the date hereof.

Yours sincerely,

Fahd bin Ibrahim Al-Shathri Deputy Governor for Supervision


Distribution Scope:

  • Banks and financial institutions operating in the Kingdom.

P.O. Box 2992 Riyadh 11169, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 11 463 3000