Ownership by Court Judgment in Syria: A Comprehensive Legal Guide

Amid the search for legal security in investment and property ownership in Syria, the Real Estate Registry (the Green Taboo) remains the primary guarantee of rights. However, in practical reality, there are cases where direct access to this guarantee is not possible—such as purchasing unregistered properties, properties whose documents were lost during the years of the Syrian revolution, or when the seller refuses to complete an amicable property transfer.

This procedure, which derives its strength from being issued by the Syrian judiciary, is subject to precise regulations and continuous updates aimed at protecting private property and ensuring legal stability in transactions. A final and binding court judgment is considered the effective legal tool to establish ownership in preparation for its registration.

What Is Ownership by Court Judgment?

Ownership by court judgment is a legal procedure carried out by filing a lawsuit for confirmation of sale before the competent court in order to obtain a final (non-appealable) court decision that confirms ownership of the property in favor of a specific person.

This procedure is mainly used in two primary cases:

1. Purchasing a property not registered in the permanent Real Estate Registry (Green Taboo), where no official real estate record exists to directly transfer ownership.
2. The seller’s refusal to complete the transfer in cases of sales concluded through informal (customary) contracts, where the seller refuses to visit the Real Estate Directorate to finalize the amicable transfer and officially register ownership.

The Legal Power of a Court Judgment

A court judgment is the first and fundamental step toward the official acquisition of property. However, it does not by itself fully transfer ownership. Rather, it is the essential initial step in the process of formal registration.

The judgment is an official and binding document for all authorities. It establishes the buyer’s right to the property in a manner that is not subject to dispute. Once the final judgment is issued, the General Directorate of Cadastral Affairs is legally obligated to implement it. The competent Real Estate Directorate must then record the content of the judgment in the property’s real estate record.

Full legal ownership of the property is not completed until the judgment is registered in the Real Estate Registry. This process is known as execution of the judgment, and it is what officially transfers ownership to the buyer’s name in the official records.

Procedures for Confirming Ownership: Step-by-Step Sale Confirmation Lawsuit

To obtain a judgment confirming ownership, a set of specific legal procedures must be followed before the Syrian judiciary.

The process begins by filing a lawsuit for confirmation of sale, which is considered a safe option to protect the buyer’s rights when amicable transfer is not possible. The lawsuit is filed before the competent court (the Court of First Instance within whose jurisdiction the property is located).

To ensure success in the lawsuit, a complete legal file must be prepared, including:

• The preliminary sale contract (informal contract), preferably witnessed
• Witness testimonies to prove the sale and actual possession of the property
• A recent real estate registry extract to determine the legal status of the property and the names of official owners
• A chain of ownership document in certain cases, to prove how ownership transferred to the seller

In August 2025, a circular was issued requiring real estate sale confirmation lawsuits to be referred to the Public Prosecution for review and opinion. This measure aims to ensure procedural integrity and scrutinize case documents in order to reduce future disputes and appeals.

Challenges of Judicial Ownership in the Current Period (February 2026 Update)

Current conditions in Syria have created new challenges in property ownership, leading to the introduction of new mechanisms to address them:

• Loss of Real Estate Records

Damage to some Real Estate Directorates during the years of the Syrian revolution made it difficult to recover lost documents. In such areas, the judiciary becomes the only path to proving ownership, relying on alternative evidence such as neighbor testimonies, old documents, and official statements.

• Property Usurpation Committees

In October 2025, the Syrian Ministry of Justice introduced new mechanisms, including committees specialized in reviewing cases of property usurpation, to address unlawful property seizures that occurred during the revolution years and to accelerate judicial solutions for affected individuals.

• Judicial and Notarial Powers of Attorney

Very recent circulars issued in February 2026 clarified an important matter: the judicial power of attorney (granted to a lawyer to represent a client in a lawsuit) expires upon the issuance of the judgment.

For the stage of executing the judgment in the Real Estate Registry, a precise detail must be observed to avoid delays in final registration: only a notarial power of attorney (issued before a Notary Public) is legally accepted for executing registration procedures.

The Difference Between Ownership by Court Judgment and the Green Taboo

There are fundamental differences between a court judgment and the Green Taboo in terms of reliability, usage, procedure, and legal strength.

Reliability

• Green Taboo (Real Estate Registry): The strongest proof of ownership in Syria. Registered rights are final and absolute.
• Court Judgment Ownership: A strong legal document that proves the right but requires registration in the Real Estate Registry to become fully official ownership.

Usage

• Green Taboo: For subdivided, organized properties registered in the permanent Real Estate Registry.
• Court Judgment: For unregistered properties, disputed properties, or when amicable transfer is not possible.

Procedure

• Green Taboo: Conducted directly through Real Estate Directorates (amicable transfer procedure) in the presence of both parties.
• Court Judgment: Requires judicial procedures (sale confirmation lawsuit) to obtain a final judgment, followed by review of the Real Estate Directorate for execution.

For Everything Related to Property Ownership in Syria – Consult Imtilak Real Estate

For all matters related to property ownership in Syria, consult Imtilak Real Estate, where extensive experience and precise knowledge of laws and procedures place you on the right path toward safe and secure investment.

Imtilak Real Estate provides comprehensive consultations covering the purchase of apartments, villas, land, and investment projects, with careful legal follow-up to ensure the safety and transparency of transactions.

The company offers diverse options suitable for different budgets and objectives, whether for housing or long-term investment. Thanks to its specialized team and wide network within the Syrian real estate market, Imtilak Real Estate helps you make the optimal decision with confidence and peace of mind, accompanying you step by step until you receive your property and successfully achieve your real estate goals.