Article 311 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 311 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الأول: المبيع والثمن
A sale subject to a trial becomes binding at the agreed price in four cases, including the buyer's waiver of rescission and the passing of the period without rescission despite being able to try the item.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا أسقط المشتري حقه في الفسخ صراحةً أو ضمنًا، أو تجاوز في استعمال المبيع حدَّ التجربة، أو هلك المبيع أو تلف بفعل المشتري أو بعد تسلمه، أو مضت المدة المتفق عليها دون فسخٍ مع تمكنه من التجربة؛ لزم البيع بالثَّمن المتَّفق عليه مستندًا إلى وقت انعقاده.
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 311 explained in plain English
This article specifies when a sale subject to a trial becomes binding, so that the buyer no longer has the right to rescind. This happens in four cases:
- The buyer waives his right to rescind, expressly, such as by saying he has accepted the item finally, or impliedly, by conduct that indicates so.
- Exceeding the limit of the trial in using the item, that is, using it beyond what the trial requires.
- The item perishes or is damaged by the buyer's act or after he received it.
- The agreed period passes without rescission, provided the buyer was able to try the item.
In these cases the sale becomes binding at the agreed price, and it is treated as binding by reference back to the time it was concluded, as if it had been binding since the contract was made rather than from the time the case arose.
Note that the fourth case is limited by the buyer's having been able to try the item; if he was not able to, the sale does not become binding merely by the passing of the period under this case. This is consistent with Article 310, which obliges the seller to enable the buyer to try the item and requires the buyer to notify the seller of rescission during the trial period.
Article 312 deals with a special form, where the agreement or circumstances show that the sale subject to a trial is conditional on the buyer's acceptance, so that the sale does not take effect except by his acceptance.
To assess whether a particular use exceeds the limit of the trial, or whether a given act amounts to an implied waiver, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in civil cases.
Practical example
Majed bought a motorcycle subject to a three-day trial, and used it on a long trip to another city. If this use is considered to exceed the limit of the trial, the sale becomes binding at the agreed price and he may not rescind under this article.
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 311 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
What happens if the trial period ends and I have not returned the item?
The sale becomes binding at the agreed price if the agreed period passes without rescission and you were able to try the item.
Do I lose my right to rescind if the item is damaged while with me?
Yes. If the item perishes or is damaged by the buyer's act or after he received it, the sale becomes binding at the agreed price.
From what time is the sale considered binding?
It is considered binding by reference back to the time it was concluded.
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- Article 44
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- Article 109
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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.