Badeel Program
Resolves disputes in family businesses and endowments before court, through mediation, reconciliation and arbitration.
- +166
- mediations
- 45
- accredited mediators
- 638
- million riyals in cases handled
- +282
- million riyals settled
About the program
Badeel is the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program for family businesses and endowments. It relies on amicable settlement and reconciliation, and is distinguished by its focus on family businesses and endowments and by its specialized and honorary mediators.
Reconciliation and arbitration
Alongside mediation, the program offers reconciliation through a final, binding settlement deed with the Ministry of Justice's Reconciliation Center, arbitration with accredited Saudi arbitration centers, and drafting of legally enforceable settlement documents.
Common case types
Enforcing or amending agreements, unpaid amounts, general assembly resolutions, investment decisions, company management and governance, proof of ownership, shareholder rights, profit distribution and exits.
What is a dispute?
A dispute is any disagreement, real or perceived, between the parties of a family business, whether contractual or not.
How disputes affect the business
Family businesses wear away when solutions are missing and trust drops: the business weakens and can fall apart, and family relationships suffer. When a dispute ends up in court, assets and family wealth are frozen until it is resolved.
Ways to prevent disputes
Selected mechanisms: agreeing on a shared family vision; writing down rules in the family charter on matters that can cause disputes, such as hiring family members, share ownership and management succession; encouraging dialogue and cooperation; planning and policy-making; and using governance to draw clear lines between ownership and management.
Highlights
- Preventive justice that deals with potential disputes before they happen
- Mediators and conciliators accredited by the Center
- Cooperation with accredited Saudi arbitration centers
- Partnership with the Ministry of Justice's Reconciliation Center
- Settlement agreements that are legally enforceable
- Confidential proceedings that protect family relationships
Dispute management thus moves from handling a case at hand to an institutional policy that keeps disputes as narrow as possible and protects family businesses from the lasting effects of conflict across generations.
Have a question about Badeel Program?
The Center's team will direct you to the right page or service.