diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index e36c6e9..f945c76 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ dependencies {
   implementation "eu.esdihumboldt.hale:eu.esdihumboldt.hale.io.schematron:$haleVersion"
   // replacement for omitted Saxon dependency
   // tested w/ schematron validation in https://github.com/wetransform/exp-schematron/tree/exp/saxon-he
-  implementation 'net.sf.saxon:Saxon-HE:9.9.1-8'
+  implementation 'net.sf.saxon:Saxon-HE:12.4'
 
   // converters
   implementation "eu.esdihumboldt.hale:eu.esdihumboldt.hale.common.convert.core:$haleVersion"