Judicial Receivership and Its Role in Protecting Rights and Managing Disputed Assets in Saudi Arabia

Introduction Judicial receivership is one of the most important preventive tools used by Saudi courts to safeguard rights and protect at‑risk assets during litigation. It places the disputed property, business, or account under the control of a neutral third party—the court‑appointed receiver—who preserves and manages the asset within a court‑defined mandate until the underlying dispute is resolved. This mechanism is particularly relevant in partner disputes, contested real estate, deposits and inventories at risk of dissipation, and operating businesses that require day‑to‑day decisions. Definition and legal framework Judicial receivership is a temporary protective measure ordered by the competent court when there is a bona fide dispute over a specific asset and a real risk of loss, deterioration, or mismanagement if it remains with one of the parties. It is grounded in Sharia principles and Saudi procedural rules that empower courts to impose interim measures to preserve rights and p