By Adnan Al-Shabrawi and Arwa Khashifati

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – The authority for the care of minors' assets has decided to close its office in Jeddah after a court asked the organization to vacate its premises. The authority instructed its clients and other applicants to approach its office in Makkah for business.

However, the court sent a letter to the chairman of the authority highlighting the problems to be faced by people as a result of shifting the office to Makkah. The shifting will also delay hearing on various issued related to minors’ wealth, it added.

The court emphasized the need to maintain an office in Jeddah by the authority to deal with applications and issues relating to the assets of minors and other properties in its care.

Okaz/Saudi Gazette learned that the court asked the authority to vacate its office due to a dire need for space to establish a new bench.

“We have asked not only the authority but also other departments to vacate the court building to create more space for judicial purposes,” the court said, while expressing its readiness to find a new office for the authority. “We are also ready to cooperate with the authority to protect public interest.”

Okaz/Saudi Gazette also learned that the court requested the authority’s chairman to revoke its decision to close down its office in Jeddah, considering the interests of the people of the city.

Meanwhile, many people who have been dealing with the authority’s office said they were surprised by the news about the closure. “It will certainly affect the progress of our applications and cause problems to the elderly, divorcees and widows,” said one Saudi.

The move will also affect the work of courts, notaries and other government departments. “It will delay the processing of applications,” said another citizen.

Jeddah being the oldest and largest city in the Kingdom has the largest number of people who deal with the authority for various purposes.

At present the authority handles assets worth more than SR20 billion belonging to minors as well as the wealth of individuals who have died but without any legal heirs.

It also manages properties that do not have owners as well as disputed or stolen properties and materials.