Article 13 of the Saudi Anti-Fraud Law
المادة 13 من نظام مكافحة الغش التجاري · الفصل الثالث: الضبط والتحقيق والمحاكمة
The article makes the competent court the body that adjudicates all violations of the Law, its disputes and compensation claims arising from its application.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
تتولى المحكمة المختصة الفصل في جميع المخالفات والمنازعات ودعاوى المطالبة بالتعويض الناشئة من تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 13 explained in plain English
This article specifies the adjudicating body for everything that arises from applying the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law. It covers three kinds of cases:
- Violations: that is, trying those accused of breaching the Law's provisions and imposing penalties on them.
- Disputes: that is, disagreements arising from applying its provisions.
- Compensation claims: which are important for anyone harmed by fraud, such as a consumer who was harmed by an adulterated product.
The body competent for all of this is the competent court. The article does not name a particular court, so its identity is determined by reference to the rules of judicial jurisdiction.
This article comes after Article 12, which makes investigation and public prosecution the competence of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution; once investigation and prosecution are finished, the competent court hears the case. The article was amended by Royal Decree No. (M/10) dated 9/1/1440 AH to its current text.
Anyone harmed by an adulterated product who wishes to claim compensation, or anyone against whom a case has been brought under this Law, would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases or compensation claims to identify the competent court and prepare the case.
Practical example
Sarah bought an electrical appliance that turned out to be counterfeit and non-conforming to the specifications, and it damaged other appliances in her home. She may claim compensation before the competent court, because this article makes it competent for compensation claims arising from applying the Law.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 13 of the Saudi Anti-Fraud Law
Which court hears commercial fraud cases?
The competent court; the article does not name a particular court.
Can compensation be claimed for an adulterated product?
Yes. The article covers compensation claims arising from applying the Law's provisions, and the competent court adjudicates them.
Has this article been amended?
Yes, by Royal Decree No. (M/10) dated 9/1/1440 AH.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/10 — 9/1/1440 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/10) وتاريخ 1440/1/9هـ، لتصبح بالنص الآتي:
" المادة (الثالثة عشرة): تتولى المحكمة المختصة الفصل في جميع المخالفات والمنازعات ودعاوى المطالبة بالتعويض الناشئة من تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يختص ديوان المظالم بالفصل في جميع المخالفات والمنازعات ودعاوى المطالبة بالتعويض الناشئة عن تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام.
More articles on Investigation, Prosecution and Liability
- Article 12
The article makes investigation and public prosecution of violations of the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law the competence of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution.
تختص هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام بالتحقيق والادعاء العام في المخالفات الواردة في هذا النظام.
- Article 14
The article presumes that every violator knew the product was adulterated, and provides that the buyer's knowledge of the fraud does not prevent punishing the violator.
يفترض في كل من ارتكب مخالفة لأحكام هذا النظام العلم بغش المنتج، ولا يمنع علم المشتري بذلك من تطبيق العقوبة المقررة بحق المخالف.
- Article 15
The article makes the seller, those who market the product on whose behalf, and the managers of companies, associations, establishments and shops liable for the Law's violations, unless one proves the violation occurred for a reason beyond his control.
يكون البائع، ومن يصرف المنتج لحسابه، ومديرو الشركات والجمعيات والمؤسسات والمحلات، مسئولين عن كل ما يقع من مخالفات لأحكام هذا النظام، وتوقع على كل منهم العقوبات
- Article 23Amended by M/109
The Article allows the Public Prosecution to request a travel ban until the final judgment, and the Ministry of Interior to deport a non-Saudi finally convicted of an Article 2 violation.
1- للنيابة العامة أن تطلب منع سفر من يثبت التحقيق ارتكابه مخالفة لأحكام النظام إلى أن يصدر الحكم النهائي في القضية. 2- لوزارة الداخلية، إذا صدر حكم نهائي بإدانة
- Article 26
The penalties in the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law apply to anyone who took part in committing the violation or incited it.
تسري العقوبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام على كل من شارك في ارتكاب المخالفة، أو حرض على ارتكابها.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.