Article 21 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 21 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفصل الثالث: الأشياء والأموال
The article distinguishes fungible things, whose units are alike or close and can stand in for one another on performance, from non-fungible things, whose units differ in a way recognized by custom or whose like is rarely found.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- الأشياء المثلية هي ما تتماثل آحادها أو تتقارب بحيث يمكن أن يقوم بعضها مقام بعض عند الوفاء بلا فرقٍ يُعتد به عرفًا.
2- الأشياء القيمية هي ما تتفاوت آحادها في الصفات أو القيمة تفاوتًا يعتد به عرفًا أو يندر وجود أمثالٍ لها في التداول.
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 21 explained in plain English
This article divides things into two kinds according to whether they can take one another's place:
1- Fungible things: These are things whose units are alike or close so that some can take the place of others on performance, without a difference recognized by custom. Common examples are quantities of a single commodity of the same type and grade.
2- Non-fungible things: These are things whose units differ in characteristics or value in a way recognized by custom, or whose like is rarely found in circulation. An example is a specific plot of land or a rare masterpiece.
The role of custom: The article made custom the criterion in both cases. A difference that custom does not recognize does not prevent the thing from being considered fungible, and a variation that custom recognizes makes it non-fungible.
The practical importance: The effect of the division appears in performance, since the article itself ties fungibility to some things being able to take the place of others on performance. The detailed rules that follow from each kind were not addressed by this article.
Its link to other articles: Article 20 defines property as anything that has a material value recognized in dealings, whether a thing, a usufruct or a right, and Article 22 divides things into immovables and movables. To classify a particular thing in an existing dispute, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in civil cases.
Practical example
A merchant in Qassim agreed to supply a quantity of dates of a specified type and grade. These dates are fungible things, since some can take the place of others on performance, without a difference recognized by custom. A rare painting sold by a collector in Jeddah, by contrast, is a non-fungible thing because its like is rarely found in circulation.
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 21 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
What is the difference between fungible and non-fungible things?
Fungible things have units that are alike or close so that some take the place of others on performance. Non-fungible things have units that differ in characteristics or value in a way recognized by custom, or whose like is rarely found.
What is the criterion for distinguishing fungible from non-fungible things?
The criterion is custom: what counts is the difference or variation that custom recognizes.
More articles on Capacity and General Provisions
- Article 1
The Article sets the order of what applies to civil matters: the Law's provisions, then the general rules in the final provisions, then the most suitable rulings of Sharia, without prejudice to special statutory provisions.
1- تُطبق نصوص هذا النظام على جميع المسائل التي تناولتها في لفظها أو في فحواها، فإن لم يوجد نص يمكن تطبيقه طُبقت القواعد الكلية الواردة في الأحكام الختامية، فإن
- Article 2
The Article provides that all periods and time limits in the Civil Transactions Law are calculated by the Hijri calendar.
تحسب المدد والمواعيد الواردة في هذا النظام بالتقويم الهجري.
- Article 3
The Article provides that a person's legal personality begins with complete live birth and ends with death, and that the rights of an unborn child in the womb are determined by statutory provisions.
1- تبدأ شخصية الإنسان بتمام ولادته حيًّا وتنتهي بموته. 2- حقوق الحمل المستكن تحددها النصوص النظامية.
- Article 4
The Article refers the rules on the missing person, the absent person and the person of unknown parentage to the statutory provisions specific to them rather than regulating them in the Civil Transactions Law.
تسري على المفقود والغائب ومجهول النسب النصوص النظامية الخاصة بهم.
- Article 5
The Article refers the rules on persons' names, titles, families, kinship and nationalities to the statutory provisions specific to them.
تسري على أسماء الأشخاص وألقابهم وأسرهم وقراباتهم وجنسياتهم النصوص النظامية الخاصة بها.
- Article 6
The article defines direct kinship as the link between ascendants and descendants, and indirect kinship as the bond between persons who share a common ancestor without one being a descendant of the other.
1- القرابة المباشرة هي الصلة بين الأصول والفروع. 2- القرابة غير المباشرة هي الرابطة بين أشخاصٍ يجمعهم أصلٌ مشتركٌ دون أن يكون أحدهم فرعًا للآخر.
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.