The Syrian Ministry of Justice issued a decision temporarily suspending all property sale lawsuits involving real estate located in Suwayda Governorate (southern Syria), as well as personal lawsuits and lawsuits in which public entities are a party.

The ministry said the move was due to the current conditions in the governorate, and was intended to protect the rights of citizens inside and outside Suwayda and prevent exploitation of the exceptional circumstances the governorate is experiencing, according to its statement published on its official accounts today, Thursday, May 21.

The decision stated that the following lawsuits are temporarily suspended:

• All property sale lawsuits related to real estate located within Suwayda Governorate.
• All personal, civil, or criminal lawsuits related to people actually residing outside Suwayda Governorate.
• All lawsuits in which public entities are a party.

The suspension applies before all courts of all types and levels within the Suwayda Governorate judiciary.

Suspension of Notarial Power of Attorney Issuance

The ministry also temporarily suspended the issuance of general notarial powers of attorney, as well as special powers of attorney related to the sale of real estate and vehicles, or authorization to sell them, before notary public offices in the Suwayda Governorate judiciary.

This applies whether the powers of attorney are revocable or irrevocable, and whether they are domestic or external, the ministry explained.

The lawsuits mentioned in the decision may still be filed and registered, but without proceeding with trial procedures or issuing rulings, while ordering the placement of case notices and precautionary notices on real estate records.

The ministry said this ensures the date of the claim is established, preserves the priority of the notice, and protects the rights of the parties.

The decision also stated that the following procedures are temporarily suspended:

• Enforcement procedures related to properties located within Suwayda Governorate, including transfer of ownership, compulsory sale, and any enforcement procedure that leads to the disposal of the property or the creation of property rights over it.
• Civil or criminal enforcement procedures related to people actually residing outside Suwayda Governorate.
• Enforcement procedures in which public entities are a party.

This applies to all enforcement departments in the Suwayda Governorate judiciary, while maintaining the possibility of taking precautionary measures whenever their effect is limited to preserving rights without affecting the original ownership or transferring it.

Under the decision, legal and procedural deadlines related to the lawsuits and enforcement procedures covered by the decision are suspended throughout its period of validity, to prevent the loss of rights or the running of limitation periods.

The decision takes effect temporarily from the date of its issuance and remains in force until a later decision is issued to end or amend its provisions according to changing circumstances, the ministry said.

The Judicial Inspection Department and public prosecutors were tasked with monitoring the proper implementation of the decision and informing the Ministry of Justice of any difficulties obstructing its implementation or any violations of its content.

Suspension of Legal Deadlines

The Ministry of Justice had announced on September 3, 2025, Circular No. 13, which suspended all legal periods and deadlines in Suwayda Governorate from July 13, 2025, until further notice.

At the time, the ministry explained on its official Facebook page that the decision came as a result of the unfortunate events in Suwayda Governorate since the previous July.

The events disrupted work at state facilities, including courts and financial departments, in addition to cutting transportation between the governorate’s cities, towns, and villages. This created an exceptional circumstance that prevented the filing of lawsuits and appeals subject to legal deadlines.

Therefore, due to the exceptional circumstances in Suwayda, the Supreme Judicial Council decided that all legal periods and deadlines would be considered suspended from July 13 until further notice is issued later declaring the end of those circumstances.