Contracts and obligations · Legal glossary
NullityIn Arabic: البطلان
Definition
Nullity is the sanction for a contract that lacks an essential element or that is contrary to public order. The contract is treated as if it had not been made. Any interested person may rely on the nullity.
How it varies across the GCC
In Saudi Arabia any interested person may raise the nullity at any time (Civil Transactions Law, article 81). If the void contract contains the elements of a different contract, article 85 converts it into that contract. The nullity rules of the other GCC states were not verified for this page.
The rules that apply to a specific matter depend on the state, any free zone involved and the current text of the law, so check the official source before relying on them.
Sources
Official texts for the points on this page. General information, not legal advice. An article number is cited only where it was verified.
- Saudi Civil Transactions Law, art. 81, 85https://laws.boe.gov.sa/BoeLaws/Laws/LawDetails/655fdb42-8c96-422b-b8c4-b04f0095c94c/1