Article 310 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 310 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الأول: المبيع والثمن
A sale subject to a trial for a set or customary period is permitted; the seller must allow the trial, and the buyer may rescind by notifying the seller during the trial period.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز البيع بشرط التجربة خلال مدة معينة، وإذا لم يعين المتبايعان المدة حملت على المدة المعتادة للتجربة، وعلى البائع تمكين المشتري منها، وللمشتري فسخ البيع ولو لم يجرب المبيع بشرط إعلام البائع بالفسخ خلال مدة التجربة.
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 310 explained in plain English
This article permits sale subject to a trial, where a person buys something with the right to try it for a period and then decide whether to keep the sale or rescind it. It sets out the following rules:
- Trial period: the parties set it; if they do not, it is taken to be the customary trial period for that kind of item.
- The seller's obligation: the seller must enable the buyer to carry out the trial.
- The buyer's right to rescind: the buyer may rescind the sale, even if he has not actually tried the item.
- Condition for rescission: the buyer must notify the seller of the rescission during the trial period.
The practical point is notice within the set time: the right to rescind is conditional on notifying the seller during the period, so it is advisable to give notice by a means that can be proved, such as a written message.
Article 311 sets out the cases in which the sale becomes binding at the agreed price, including where the buyer waives his right to rescind expressly or impliedly, exceeds the limit of the trial in using the item, the item perishes or is damaged by his act or after he received it, or the agreed period passes without rescission although he was able to try the item. Article 309 regulates another form, sale by sample.
Anyone who disagrees with the seller about the trial period or the validity of the notice of rescission may consult a lawyer specialized in civil cases.
Practical example
Noura bought an air conditioner from a store in Riyadh subject to a one-week trial. Before the week ended she sent the store a message notifying it of the rescission of the sale. Under this article she is entitled to rescind because she notified the seller during the trial period, even though she had not tried the unit.
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 310 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
What is the trial period if we did not agree on one?
It is taken to be the customary trial period.
Can a sale subject to a trial be rescinded without trying the item?
Yes. The buyer may rescind the sale even if he has not tried the item, provided he notifies the seller of the rescission during the trial period.
What is the seller's obligation in a sale subject to a trial?
The seller must enable the buyer to carry out the trial.
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الأشياء القابلة للاستهلاك هي التي ينحصر استعمالها -بحسب ما أُعدّت له- في استهلاكها أو إنفاقها، ويعد قابلًا للاستهلاك كل ما أعد في المتاجر للبيع.
- Article 44
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- Article 109
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1- الالتزام بنقل حق عيني يتضمن الالتزام بتسليم الشيء والمحافظة عليه حتى تسليمه، فإذا لم يقم المدين بتسليمه حتى هلك أو تلف كانت تبعة ذلك عليه. 2- إذا كان محل الا
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البيع عقد يُمَلِّكُ بمقتضاه البائع المبيع للمشتري مقابل ثمنٍ نقدي.
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.